Herbert Bell - Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club

Herbert Bell
June 15, 1916-June 9, 2012
Honorary Chairman, HET Dixie Chapter
Herbert Bell was born on a remote farm in the hills of North Georgia. When he was a young man the family moved to
Gainesville, Georgia where he graduated from High school. He was soon into Hudson products and had three
Terraplanes in a row.
Herbert and his bride, Doris, “Dot” Blackstock, took off on their honeymoon in the last one, a ’38, and duplicated the trip
50 years later with an identical car.
In 1936 Herbert founded the thriving Bell’s Cleaners business in Gainesville which was his livelihood for many decades
until he sold it in 1977.
World War II took Herbert on “an all-expense-paid excursion to the Mid-East for the duration” as he liked to describe his
tour of duty in the United States Army.
During his busy life Hudsons were his obsession and he would own 27 of them, by his count. Two examples he kept
showroom new with only “Demo” miles on the odometers.
In 1972 Herbert was one of the founders of the Georgia-Alabama Chapter of the HET Club, which later became the Dixie
Chapter. He was an active member of the chapter, serving as chapter president three times?, and was involved in the
chapter’s hosting of the 1985 HET National Meet. For many years the chapter’s Annual Business Meeting was held at the
Bell residence in Gainesville. Latterly Herbert became the chapter’s Honorary Chairman.
The Bell’s 1948 Commodore 8 and a Commodore 6 were selected by Hollywood to star in the 1989 blockbuster “Driving
Miss Daisy”. Herbert and Dot attended the premier at the Fox Theatre and the film resulted in a dizzying climb of Hudson
car values not unlike that of the later “Doc Hudson” craze for the “Cars” movie.
In 1994 Herbert and Dot were presented with the National HET Club’s prestigious Doc Dougherty Award.
The couple gave birth to a wonderful daughter, Ken, who has been super supportive during Herbert’s later years. Herbert
had two grandsons and three great-grandchildren. Ken is presiding over a gradual sell-down of the cars and there are
now only a few left.
Herbert lost Dot to acute leukemia after 55 years of marriage but her dying wish was that her husband should look up her
best friend from youth, Frances Thomason. That second marriage lasted until her death half a dozen years later.
Herbert’s funeral was held in Gainesville, GA on June 14, followed by internment at the nearby Alta Vista Cemetery.
Five Hudsons and a score of Dixie Chapter members attended the ceremonies.
The Rev.Calvin Haney officiated and delivered a fine eulogy which included Herb’s early life as a farmer’s son born in the
shadow of Mount Yonah in North Georgia, memories of the terrible 1936 tornado in Gainesville (which damaged one of
Herbert’s Terraplanes), the founding of Bell’s Cleaners, the “all-expense-paid Mid-East tour” during WW II, and the
marriages and deaths of both Herb’s wives.
In lieu of flowers the family requested memorial contributions to St. Paul United Methodist Church Building Fund, 404
Washington St. Gainesville GA 30501. The Dixie Chapter sent a contribution of $250 from chapter funds.
And a final word (in Herbert’s own hand-writing, from a brief autobiography he wrote several years ago):

DIXIE CHAPTER
HUDSON-
ESSEX-
TERRAPLANE
CLUB
2011 Officers
Charles Easley, President
3125 Presidential Parkway
2 nd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30340
(404) 386-7897
ceasley@easleymccaleb.com
Henry Dabrowski, VP
733 Rebecca St NW
Lilburn GA 30047-2745
(770) 381-0753
hpdcaddy@aol.com
Richard Low,
Secretary/Editor
622 Wesley Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30305-3922
(404) 352-8066
dicklow@bellsouth.net
Ed Eckert, Treasurer
4364 Revere Circle
Marietta, GA 30062-5773
(770) 998-0231
eckertej@att.net
Preston Stevens.
Associate Editor
505 Kingswood Lane
Atlanta GA 30305
(404) 351-5110
hudsonewss@aol.com
The Hudson-Essex-Terraplane
Club, Inc. is an organization
dedicated to preserving the
products of the Hudson
Motor Car Company of
Detroit, Michigan which
produced vehicles for 45
years from 1909 until May 1,
1954 and American Motors
Corporation which produced
Hudsons from 1955 until 1957.
Founded in 1959 by Meritt
Marks, the Hudson-Essex-
Terraplane Club is a worldwide
service organization
and is incorporated under the
laws of the State of
Pennsylvania.
THE NEXT MEET: NORTH
GEORGIA EXCURSION
Young Harris, GA. Saturday, July 14, 2012
Dixie Chapter President Charles
Easley is again hosting our July meet
at the delightful ”Brothers at Willow
Branch” restaurant, located about two
miles north of Young Harris on
Highway 76. The address is:
6223 US Highway 76, Young Harris,
GA 30582.
Phone number is (706) 379-1272
We will have the private room upstairs
(with walk-in access from the rear
parking lot) for our lunch and meeting.
So come out and meet your Dixie
friends, and maybe take in an
afternoon drive to nearby Brasstown
Bald or other North Georgia scenic
sites. There are also antique stores to
be browsed in the town of Young
Harris.
Schedule: 11:00 AM. Arrive and kick tires.
Noon
After lunch
Young
Harris
Blairsville
Lunch
Take a scenic drive
Shop the antique stores- whatever you like.
.
Directions: Young Harris is located on US-76/GA-515, about 8 miles east of Blairsville,
GA. This road becomes Main St. as it passes through the town of Young Harris, and the
restaurant is located about two miles north of the town on US 76.
Any questions: Contact Charles Easley at (404) 386-7897
To reach Blairsville take US-129 north from Gainesville, or US-76/GA-515 east from Ellijay.
– or you can also reach Young Harris by taking US-76 west from Clayton.

REPORT ON THE 2012 EASTERN REGIONAL
MEET.
Roanoke, VA. Friday & Saturday, June 8 & 9, 2012
Congratulations to the Dogwood Chapter for hosting a memorable Eastern Regional Meet. President Tony
Nichols and his wife Penny, and Don Robertson, supported by many other Dogwood members, arranged a
most enjoyable program for Hudnuts from all parts of the region. The Dixie Chapter members present included
Park and Madeline Waldrop, accompanied by their son John, Phil and Jeannette Waldrop, John and
Becky Upchurch, Jackie Fisher, Richard and Linda Pridemore, Robert and Eleanor Elium, and your
editor. The total number registered for the meet was not announced, but approximately 80 people attended
the Saturday night banquet. The count of HET vehicles was around 25, ranging from the Bullock family’s
beautiful green 1929 Super Six, a picture of which graced the meet name tags and T-shirts, (and see picture
above) to several ‘54s. A stunning ’32 Essex coupe was another notable car, and Anthony Nichols drove his
father’s recently acquired 1948 Pontiac fastback sedan, for a bit of diversity.
The Saturday morning Eastern Regional Business meeting in the host hotel Hospitality Room was presided
over by Eastern Regional Director Dave Tuttle, assisted by fellow director John Upchurch. Senior Director
Ted Steinmetz was unable to attend. National HET Club Secretary Carmen LaFlamme was present, and
read the roll of Eastern Region Chapters, establishing that a quorum of members was present. As previously
announced, no election for regional director was required, as Gary Lynch of the Quebec-Nouvelle- France of
Canada Chapter was the only nominee. The only nominee from the floor for the position of Alternate Eastern
Regional Director was Michel Jodoin, also from the QNFC chapter, and he was elected by acclamation. Items
discussed included the 2013 Doc’s Meet in Front Royal, VA, and the 2012 National Meet in Gettysburg, PA.
The 2013 Eastern Regional will be combined with the 50 th Anniversary Doc’s Meet in Front Royal, and will be
held May 10-13. It was suggested, once again, that chapters try to arrange their meet schedules so as not to
clash with the regional meet.

Pictures from the 2012 Eastern Regional Meet
There were many Hudsons of different vintages.
Also a beautiful Essex.
And more Hudsons.
And more Hudsons.
And even a Pontiac for variety!

More 2012 Eastern Regional Meet pictures
-at the Virginia Transportation Museum
Some familiar figures seem to be waiting for……………………….a train!!
Nice cars in the auto section – but no Hudsons.
The Dixie table at the banquet.
Hudsons formed the guard of honor for Herbert Bell’s funeral procession.

The Saturday evening banquet was held at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in downtown Roanoke, and
our banquet tickets also gave us admission to the museum for the whole day. Many members visited the
museum in the afternoon and enjoyed seeing the Automobile Gallery as well as the rail section. The latter
includes surviving examples of the Norfolk & Western Railway’s massive Class A 1218 and Class J 611 steam
locomotives, among the most powerful ever built, together with other steam, diesel and electric locomotives
and rail cars.
In the evening we caravanned back to the Transportation Museum, now embellished with the Bullock ’29
Super Six in front of the entrance. Our banquet tables were laid out in the Automobile Gallery, and after an
excellent buffet dinner a special presentation was made to the Bullock family (three generations of which
were present) in memory of the late Dave Bullock, a longtime HET Club member who passed away in 2011.
Winning numbers were drawn for the 50/50 raffle, a $300 gas card raffle, and finally a dazzling array of door
prizes (we think everyone got one!).
Thanks again to the Dogwood Chapter for a great meet, and for arranging such perfect weather. After a good
night’s uninterrupted sleep (remember the 3 AM fire alarm in the hotel when our chapter hosted the Savannah
Eastern Regional in 2009?) and a final breakfast we all dispersed homewards.
2012 Dixie Chapter & HET Meet Schedule
July 14 .
July 26-29
August 18?
September 22/23
October
November 17
December 1?
Young Harris, GA – hosted by Charles Easley
HET National Meet, Gettysburg, PA.
Cyclorama/Atlanta Zoo? – hosted by Rick Kamen.
Carolina Crank-up. Hosted by Charles Hatch.
Thunder Road Meet, Dawsonville, GA.
Annual Business and Planning Meet. Canton, GA.
Hosted by Robert & Linda Hudson.
Holiday meet. Dahlonega, GA Hosted by the Upchurches.
DIXIE CHAPTER’S 40 TH
BIRTHDAY
Continuing Dixie Chapter History from our last issue…....
In 1982, we celebrated our tenth anniversary with commemorative plaques
produced by Clark Steele.
The following milestones occurred from 1980 until 2012:
1982 Name changed to THE DIXIE CHAPTER.
1985 National Meet hosted in Atlanta by our chapter.
1987 Atlanta International raceway – 3 Dixie Chapter
Hornets lead the Anniversary Parade.
1988 “Driving Miss Daisy” movie employs Herbert Bell’s
’48 and ’49 Hudsons.
1991 Dixie Chapter exceeds 100 members.
1992 Dogwood Chapter formed from Dixie Chapter’s
northern area, plus Virginia.
1992 Ray Pschirer gathers the remaining major Hudson
race drivers for the “Carolina Crank-up”.
Tim Flock, Frank Mundy and Herb Thomas, plus
Irene Williams, Johnnie Allen and Louise Smith.
Meritt Marks, Frank Mundy and Tim Flock at the 1992
Carolina Crank-up.

1993 Herbert and Dot Bell receive the National Doc Dougherty Award.
1995 The untimely death of Dot Bell.
1995 The Dixie Chapter is honored to have Horace Hutto elected Vice President of the National HET Club.
1999 Horace Hutto awarded the Doc Dougherty Award. Park Waldrop elected National Vice President.
2001 Death of Horace Hutto.
2003 Death of Meritt Marks, founder of the National HET Club.
2003 Park Waldrop elected Eastern Regional Director.
2004 “The Notebook” movie starred Roy Mclean’s ’46 Hudson S6 Coupe.
2006 “Cars. The Movie” starred the animated character “Doc Hudson.”
2007 Former Dixie Chapter VP Frank Fry elected Western Regional Director.
2009 Dixie Chapter hosts HET Eastern Regional in Savannah, GA.
2011 John Upchurch elected Eastern Regional Director.
2012 Death of Herbert Bell
It should be noted that we have continued to have excellent leadership since our first decade.
Presidents since 1982 have been: Leonard Harding, Jay Merrick, Preston Stevens, Herbert
Bell, Doug Callahan, Bob Efurd, Bob Vogt, Horace Hutto, Harlan Dahl, Bob Watson, John
Upchurch, Ray Pschirer, Herbert Bell (again), Bob Henry, Bob Hunt, Robert Hudson and
Charles Easley.
Club leaders who have died since 1982 include: Ned Blackman, John Greenwood, Leonard
Harding, Bill Lassiter, Millard Matson, T.A. Porterfield, Grady Roberts, Leon Thompson,
Horace Hutto and, most recently, Herbert Bell. No chapter history would be complete without
mentioning Garry Emmett, who joined us in 1982 and became our technical “guru”. Garry died
in the early nineties.
In addition, the nineteen nineties saw the deaths of three giant NASCAR Hudson race drivers:
Tim Flock, Herb Thomas and Dick Rathman. All three were friends of our chapter and
attended our meets. The last of the legendary champs, Frank Mundy of Atlanta, died in 2009.
…and the
other star
–“Miss
Daisy”
Leon Thompson
Horace Hutto
Horace Hutto
“Doc Hudson”
Ray Pschirer
And now - onward to the next 40 years of Dixie Hudsoning!
A request from the Dixie Chapter Secretary/Editor:
If you need to contact me the most reliable method is by email at dicklow@bellsouth.net (which I check
daily, except when I am away from home). If you do need to telephone me, please call me at my home
phone (404) 352-8066 – leave a message if necessary. I do have a cell phone, but it is usually in my
car, not my pocket – and I never answer it when driving! Thanks, Richard Low
CARS & DRIVERS
Does a woman tell her age?
Julia Nipper does and she will turn 86 on August 11! “Pat” and Julia brought their ’47 Hudson to Herbert
Bell’s funeral on June 14 in Gainesville. Congratulations to Julia and thanks to the Nippers for bringlng their
car.

Hudsons in the news.
Hemmings Classic Car magazine seems to be our marque’s best friend because hardly an issue goes to press
without a feature of some sort on Hudsons. We suspect Feature Editor Patrick Foster has some influence in
this regard. He has said many times that he loves the HET brands and his book 2010 book Hudson
Automobiles (An Illustrated History) certainly proves the point.
In the August, 2012 issue (#95) there is a four page spread on the collection of Chicago-Milwaukee chapter
member Robert Hoyle. In addition to his ’54 Super Wasp Convertible, his rare ’54 Club Sedan (a two door
Brougham) is featured among other goodies. The article is further emphasized by a half page preview on the
Contents page.
In addition there is an announcement of a new book on page 12. The book, Handbook Of Facts, will be
published by the HET Club.
CARS & PARTS
For Sale:
Wanted:
For Sale:
1930 Essex 2-door Coach. Originally bought it for
a street-rod project 10 years ago and drove it
home, but too many projects and not enough
time. Little rust. No interior. $5000 OBO.
Contact Jeff or Barb Skarp at (218) 749-5942 or
hooperdoo64@yahoo.com (Britt, MN)
(lead via email)
A complete 4.10 to 1 rear end for a 1953 Hudson
Hornet.
Contact Richie Hodge at (770) 908-9340 or
slo47ply@yahoo.com.
’46 Hudson truck.. The truck is complete with
new paint, wooden truck bed, new 350 Chevy
motor with rebuilt 700R4 transmission, 9" Ford
rear end. The truck has Commodore handles and
trim, new tinted glass and rubber, front disc
brakes. New water meter gages. All it needs is
upholstery on the S10 bucket seats and doors.
Asking $12,000
Contact Doyle Chastain at (770) 775-1107
or cell (404) 210-7093
Wanted:
For Sale:
A set of ’40 Hudson Traveler rectangular hood lenses which I can borrow to have a
reproduction mold made.
Contact Nancy Delf at (770)833-7787 or nandelf@aol.com.
1959 Fairlane 500 Skyliner - Retractable. Great candidate for restoration, car is in primer,
much of the metal work has been done. Seat upholstery also done. .’85 Lincoln 351 engine
and transmission with 55K miles. Asking $10,000.
Lead per Ray Pschirer. Phone: (864) 430-6314
For Sale: '41 Hudson 4 door with Chevy engine and chassis, etc. Asking $12,500.
Very clean with new interior and paint.
Also '25 Model T Ford sedan. Asking $10,000. A really fine car.
Both at Mountain Top Auto Sales, 5846 Hwy 115, Clarkesville, GA 30523
Contact Eddie Michael (706) 754-0444 or (404) 403- 2808.

For Sale: 1947 Hudson Super Six Brougham. This car is owned by
Ralph Childers, former member of the Dixie Chapter.
Restored some years ago with new paint and interior, but still in
good condition. Asking price $14,000.
Sale is being handled by California Car Company, Roswell,
GA. You can see more pictures of the car are on their website
at www.californiacarco.com.
Contact Jeff Norton at (770) 992-4542.
For Sale:
For Sale:
Pickens' County based Master Restorer Ron Stanger is retiring and selling 20 cars from his
personal collection. The cars vary from 1930 to 1983 and include some originals from new, #1
restored, #3 drivers and others complete to restore. Several orphans among them include a
rare Durant and a stunning 60 Imperial. An example of Ron's work graces the cover
of "Hemmings Book of Hudsons," member Ron Sotardi's beautiful 53 Hornet restored in
1991. For a list with descriptions contact Ron at 770-735-2693, or ronauto@live.com.
(a lead from Walt Hodges)
'54 Hudson Super Jet, 4 door, Twin "H".
Mechanicals totally rebuilt and runs fine. Needs paint and upholstery but has the material with it.
Asking $3750. Contact Rocky Laisure
(817) 235-4787 (H) or (817) 221-1313 (C)
leisureRVS@yahoo.com Located near Ft. Worth TX.
For Sale:
For Sale:
HET dealer literature, magazine advertisements, test reports, pictures, paint chips, light bulbs,
stainless steel moldings, and more.
Norm Wolff, 284 Oak Point Landing Dr. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.
Phone (843) 216-6433 Email: junowolff@bellsouth.net
Classic and vintage light bulbs. 6 volt and 12 volt halogen bulbs for all our vintage cars – up to
100% brighter – no modification needed. Not recommended for stop light application.
www.classicbulbs.com. Another bulb source: Bob Drake. Call 1-800-221-3673
Did Hudson ever build one of these? Find out in next month’s Hudsonews.
Photos in this issue courtesy of Preston Stevens, Henry Dabrowski, and Richard Low.

Return to:
622 Wesley Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Newsletter Editor:
Richard Low
(404)352-8066
dicklow@bellsouth.net
Associate Editor:
Preston Stevens
(404)351-5110
hudsonewss@aol.com
Newsletter distributor:
Bob Efurd
(404)255-2966
efurd4@aol.com
ISSUE # 6
JUNE 2012
H u d s o n e w s
HUDSONEWS
CARRY COUPONS IN YOUR CAR AND ENROLL MEMBERS! BUILD YOUR CHAPTER-BUILD OUR CLUB!
DIXIE CHAPTER DATE_____________________
HET NATIONAL CLUB DATE__________________
Chapter Dues $15.00
Please fill in all blanks completely. Dues provide full membership privileges for member and
Renewals are always due in January and are good until the end of the calendar year. Prompt spouse.
renewal ensures your listing in the roster. Please fill in all blanks completely. Dues provide
1 year (U.S.) Regular mail $33.00
full membership privileges for member and spouse. Chapter members must be NATIONAL
1 year (U.S.) 1 st Class mail $43.00
CLUB members as well.
MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO: HET CLUB
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO : DIXIE CHAPTER
Mail to: HET Club Inc. c/o C. Sargent, 2850 N. Meridian Ave, Wichita KS 67204
Mail to: Ed Eckert, Treasurer, 4364 Revere Circle, Marietta, GA 30062 - 5773
Use coupon for renewals and changes. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY!
Phone: (770) 998-0231
NAME_________________________________________________
Use coupon for renewals and changes. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY!
NAME___________________________________________________
SPOUSES NAME__________________________________________
STREET_________________________________________________
CITY/STATE______________________________________________
ZIP(9-Digit)_______________________________________________
PHONE(W/AREA CODE)____________________________________
EMAIL___________________________________________________
I own the following Hudson-built vehicles:
YEAR MAKE BODY STYLE SERIAL NO. #CYL
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Please list additional cars on a separate sheet.
I understand I will receive Hudsonews, the chapter newsletter, and invitations to chapter
meets around the southeast.
New member sponsored by:____________________________________________________
SPOUSES NAME_______________________________________
STREET_______________________________________________
CITY/STATE____________________________________________
ZIP(9-digit)_____________________________________________
PHONE (W/AREA CODE)_________________________________
EMAIL________________________________________________
I own the following Hudson-built vehicles:
YEAR MAKE BODY STYLE SERIAL NO. #CYL
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Please list additional cars on a separate sheet.
I understand I will receive White Triangle News, the bi-monthly club magazine, as part of the
benefits of belonging to this club.
Ownership of a Hudson-built car is not a requirement.
New member sponsored by Dixie Chapter member:
_________________________________________________________