New Hudson Vintage Motor Cycles
These pages are dedicated to all models of the New Hudson Motor Cycles and Autocycles built in their Birmingham factory between 1902 and 1957. Our thanks to Eric Londesbrough who conceived the idea of a dedicated web site for the marque (and others) and who has diligently compiled this knowledge and information into the following page. Eric is the marque specialist for New Hudson for the VMCC and has considerable knowledge and experience of New Hudson.
Within these pages you will be able to find out a little of the history of the New Hudson motor cycles, information about Eric Londesbrough himself, his passion for the subject and how he became knowledgeable in this field. There is a section detailing several services that the VMCC or Eric is able to provide for owners and restorers of New Hudson Motor Cycles and Autocycles. The gallery page has several photographs of New Hudson motor cycles and autocycles, including many sent in from people's own private machines and collections. There is a page dedicated to the latest New Hudson news and information about up and coming rallies and events.Please feel free to contact us or Eric for information, wants/sales or simply to chat about this subject.
Below you will find news items with New Hudson relevance and information about future events that will feature New Hudson motor cycles.
News
Book purchase
To purchase a CD of my book please contact the VMCC library
Added: 1st Oct 2021.
Oil Pump Glasses and gaskets.
There is now a supplier in U.K. who has Oil pump glasses for New Hudsons (and other makes) and gaskets to seal them.
Added: 21st Feb 2020.
Adverts
Knee Pads for 1931/2 Models
Great news. The limited batch of Knee Pads for all 1931/2 Models is now available. See for sale section for more details and the gallery for a picture.
Added: 26th November 2019
Events
If you have any news or event information which may be of interest to visitors of this site, please get in touch with us with the details.
The New Hudson marque began in the late 1800's as a bicycle factory in Birmingham, England. The owner, George Patterson, made his first motorcycle in 1902, but as it was not a sales success, no more motor cycles were produced until 1910. From 1910 to 1932; with the exception of years 1915 to 1919 when WWI meant only munitions and bicycles were made; motorcycle production averaged about 2000 each year. The company were always keen on gaining success in motor cycle sport and gained many good results. However lacking the finances of larger companies their best result in the Isle of Man TT was Jimmy Guthrie's second place in the Senior event in 1927.
In 1932 due to the depression motor cycle production ceased as it was no longer profitable. However, the company continued to make bicycles, and also diversified into making the Girling brake systems for cars.
In 1940 the bicycle factory began to produce an autocycle with a 98cc Villiers engine which was a success. The bicycle factory was purchased by BSA in 1943 and production continued under the New Hudson name. The Girling brake factory passed into the ownership of Joseph Lucas. After the second World War B.S.A. continued to make autocycles bearing the New Hudson name until 1957.
1932 Model 32 de Luxe 350 cc
The full history of New Hudson can be found in the book "New Hudson, The History of a Motor Cycle Company" by Eric Londesbrough. Unfortunately all copies of the printed book have now been sold, but we can supply it in electronic format on CD which can be read on almost any modern computer. It is fully illustrated showing nearly all New Hudson models. Please contact the VMCC Library for further information.
The New Hudson Factory
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Icknield Street factory redevelopment. Main entrance to the office area. The Icknield Street side is covered in polythene. |
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The entrance to the offices. Hope Street on the left |
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The Hope Street side |
Support items
We support owners and people interested in the New Hudson range of motor cycles as much as possible. In this role, we are able to offer the following services:
Accurate dating of any New Hudson Model
For accurate age dating of your New Hudson model we suggest you contact our library services who will be able to help. We also have parts catalogues, factory records and many other documents.
Contact our marque specialist, Eric Londesbrough, for advice on repair and restoration, colour schemes etc. for all models from 1910 to 1932, and also on all New Hudson autocycles from 1940 to 1957.
Patterns are available for New Hudson footboards, and leg shields, and drawings of some other parts.
Spare parts for New Hudsons are often very difficult to find so a small list of items is kept which owners on the register may wish to sell or exchange. You may also like to visit the Spare Parts section of this page.
Transfers (decals) for nearly all models are available from the Vintage Motor Cycle Club transfer scheme
Tyres, tubes and rims from the VMCC Shop tyre scheme, at reasonable prices.
Register
Eric also keeps a register which currently contains the details of well over 400 surviving New Hudson Motor Cycles and Autocycles and is still growing. He can lookup and supply information from this register if requested. To add a machine to the register or receive free help or advice, please contact Eric via email.
Book
Eric has written a book entitled "New Hudson, The History of a Motor Cycle Company" of which all printed copies have long since been sold. However, copies can still be obtained in electronic (PDF) format on CD, which can be read on just about all modern computers. To request a copy on CD, please contact the VMCC shop who will be happy to assist.
Bike Tracing Service
As many New Hudson owners have come to find this site since it started in 2009, Eric has subsequently been asked if he can assist with tracing a machine. With the help of visitors to the site he is happy to assist by listing machines below that people are trying to locate. If you have a New Hudson you would like to find or you are able to provide information about any machine listed below, please get in touch.
A member of VMCC wishes to trace a machine originally owned by his father. This machine is not currently on Eric's register, so please get in touch if you can assist with its current whereabouts. Details of the motor bike are:
- 1921 211cc two stroke
- Frame number T191
- Engine number 21/3352
- Reg Number XK5017
A 1921 211cc two stroke machine, Reg Number XK5017, trying to be located.
Spare parts for New Hudsons are few and far between these days, but here is a list of some spares that we know to be available. You can advertise parts you have for sale/exchange and also parts you require below. Please contact the webmaster to request an addition to either list below.
Parts for Sale or Exchange
| Part description | Model | Price | Seller (Location) |
| 1931 350cc ohv New Hudson in good condition. Photograph in gallery | Model 33 | £4700 | Brian Tel: +44 1209842461 |
| Knee Pads. The knee pads are now available in limited quantity. Picture in gallery | All 1931/2 Models | POA | Keith Email: vintage_keith@hotmail.com |
| New Hudson Autocycle. Probably 1945. Picture in the gallery. Situated in the Scottish Borders. | Early Model with Villiers 98cc JDL engine | Offers | Tam Mobile +44 7534451524 |
| 1950 New Hudson Autocycle with 1955 engine. Can be seen near Shrewsbury. Picture can be seen in the gallery. | 1950 New Hudson Autocycle | £1200 or very near offer | Paul Email: pnekstein@aol.com Mobile +44 7742050362 |
| Autocycle for sale. 1950, Complete and in running order. New tyres and cables fitted. Machine has a valuable registration number. A picture can be seen in the gallery. |
1950 Autocycle | POA | John Tel. +44 7825998580 Email: alecalexander@btinternet.com |
| Autocycle Parts for sale. 1 pair of valanced mudguards, 2 pairs of pre ‘56 mudguards, 1 re-style frame with forks, 2 pre ‘56 bare frames and 2 rear carriers. |
Pre 1956 and post 1956 models | POA | Simon Email. simonbothwell@btinternet.com Tel. +44 7803 141425 |
| i have a magneto ML C.K.1 i think
its of a Hudson. gallery. |
£150 + postage | Steven Brixham, Devon steven.tomkins@yahoo.co.uk |
Please let us know when a listed item is no longer available.
Wanted Items:
Please let us know of anything you want or if you no longer want your request listed.
| Description of required item | Wanted by |
| LOOKING for a new or used complete speedo cable for Smith 0-40 mph
speedo for New hudson 48-52. |
Richard Email: dvp1930@hotmail.com |
| New Hudson 600 sv year of production 1923 I am looking for these parts: wheels, Front and Rear Mudguard, Rear pillion Carrier, handlebars, hand change gear leaver, oil tank, Rear Stand, rear brake pedal | Libor
Kramar - Tel +420 603805392
Email: lkramar@seznam.cz |
| Just wondering if you have any leads on where I could get a
replacement seat for my 1950 New Hudson Autocycle please.
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Jason Murphy Email: murphelec1@gmail.com |
| Autocycle wheel rims. Wanted for 1950's Autocycle two serviceable wheel rims. | Steve - Tel. +44 7803405817 |
| Moss gear box and clutch wanted for 1931 New Hudson. | Gernot - Email spri1@gmx.at |
| Wanted both chainguards for a 1952 New Hudson Autocycle. | Mike - Email m8k9h@yahoo.co.uk |
| Wanted for 1948 Autocycle. Centre stand, right hand chain case, pedals, petrol tank cap. | Paul - Email paul@theproductiondesk.com |
| Parts wanted to complete a restoration of a 250cc Model 91E A picture of this machine in its unrestored state can be seen in the gallery | Tibor - Tel. +44 7752898584 Email: tjkaos2@hotmail.com |
| Wanted. A stand for an Autocycle fitted with a JDL engine. | Trevor- Email: tahorn@talktalk.net Tel: +44 77907414798 |
| Wanted urgently Brake shoes for 1950's New Hudson Autocycle. | Brian - Email: bri.bibb@gmail.com |
| Wanted for 1931 500cc. Brake Shoes | Frans, Netherlands - Email: fransvin2002@zeelandnet.nl |
| Wanted for 1957 New Hudson Autocycle. A set of engine cowlings. |
Adam - Tel +44 7804488835 Email: adamknopp@hotmail.co.uk |
| Wanted an oil or petrol tank cap like the example shown in the gallery.at number 680. | Trevor - Email: thmotorcycles@xtra.co.nz |
| Chain Guards left and right for1953 Autocycle. Or scale drawings to have some made. | Noel Savage - Email: classic-custom@outlook.com |
| Wanted brake adjuster for 1950 New Hudson Autocycle. | Alec - Email: alecalexander@btinternet.com Tel: +44 1983555018 |
| Wanted for 1929 Model 86. Drive sprocket Part no.B216 , Chain ring Part no.B577. |
Email: erasmo.armani@yahoo.com |
| Clutch for 1929 C type gear box. Valve lifter parts for 1929 350cc and 500cc engines. | Matt - Email: matt.e.Goodwin@gmail.com |
| Handlebars for New Hudson Autocycle wanted. Also rear wheel. | Martin - Email: martin.nichols2@btinternet.com |
| Wanted for 1929 350cc New Hudson. Speedo drive gears for inside gear box cover |
Miklos Balogh - Email: miklos.balogh@egonet.se |
| Complete rear wheel for New Hudson Autocycle and a chain adjuster. | Tony - Email: tonygauvin_@hotmail.com Tel.+1 5063818744 |
Please let us know when you no longer need a part listed above.
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Eric's 1914 New Hudson |
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1920 211cc two stroke De Luxe Touring Mode. |
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An early 1914 prototype 211cc two stroke using petrol mixture. It has an oil cup measure under the tank. |
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Lovely example of a 1928 500cc side valve Model 84. |
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The unsuccessful 1902-1903 New Hudson. |
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Early 1914 New Hudson 770cc side valve V-twin Model "Big Six" with basket sidecar. |
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1911 Model IIIB sidecar outfit. |
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1931 550cc side valve. |
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1957 98cc Autocycle in lovely condition. |
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A lovely example of a 1928 496cc Model 88 "Plus Power". |
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A great picture of a 1940 New Hudson Autocycle. |
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A 1955 New Hudson Autocycle. |
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Another 1955 New Hudson Autocycle. |
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1914 New Hudson 4HP in USA. |
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Mr P Strong on his 1914 770cc V twin Model X (ELS) "Electric Lighting Sidecar Outfit" Picture taken about 1920. At £105 this was the most expensive model, and consequently it is very rare |
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A superb example of a 1932 Model 3 500cc ohv. |
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Mr. Branislav Dedovic riding his 1931 New Hudson in about 1936 in the City of Split in what was at that time Yugoslavia. Sent to me by his son Slobodan Dedovic. |
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Both sides of a magnificent example of a 1929 500cc ohv Plus Power Model 88E in Australia. |
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A very nice example of a 1953 Autocycle. |
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1921 211cc Two-stroke for sale. |
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1949 Autocycle to be auctioned 11th June. See news item for details. |
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1957 Autocycle to be auctioned on 11th June. See News for details. |
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A splendid example of a 1914 Model 111A recently restored by Andreas Deuse in Germany. |
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A nice old picture of a lady riding a 1922 211cc two stroke New Hudson. The machine was registered in the Isle of Wight. Relatives of the lady would be very interested if anyone has any information about the rider or the whereabouts of the machine. |
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1928 350cc side valve. The present owner has inherited this machine from his father who did this magnificent restoration. |
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1920 211cc two-stroke Touring de Luxe. The lady owner and rider is known to have lived in a house in Bargate in Grimsby, but her name is not known. From the condition of the machine and the way the lady is dressed the photograph would be from the early 1920's. |
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1925 350cc side valve Semi Sports Model Owned by Markus Gartmeier in Germany. He can be contacted by email markus.gartmeier@gmx.de. |
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1923 4.5HP 600cc in immaculate condition. |
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1922 600cc New Hudson for sale. Super restoration. Has full working acetylene lighting, speedo. For contact details see for sale section. |
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A nice example of a 1924 New Hudson In the Czech Republic. New Hudson exported a total of 444 machines to Prague over their years of manufacture. |
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New Hudson Model 85 for sale in Italy see for sale section for details. |
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Mr Theo Gaylard on his 1924 4.9Hp side valve Tourist Model in 1925. Photograph kindly suppled by his Grandson Mark Gaylard. Sadly the machine no longer seems to exist. |
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1921 211cc two stroke for sale. See for sale page for full details. |
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A superb restoration of a 1926 350cc ohv Vitesse model recently completed in racing trim by Gernot Schuh in Austria. |
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A beautifully restored New Hudson in Holland. |
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A very nice Autocycle recently restored. |
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A fine picture of a young man called James Winch from Essex in 1914/15. with his early 1914 Model 111A 500cc side valve with Armstrong rear hub gear. He very soon became a despatch rider in the army. |
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A delightful picture of a child's sidecar on a 1950's New Hudson Autocycle. The owner wonders if there is any other New Hudson Autocycle with a side car. |
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1931 New Hudson Model 3 recently very nicely restored. |
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A very fine restoration of a 1927 model just completed in New Zealand. |
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A nice 1947 New Hudson Autocycle in good working order and very original. A recent addition to the register. |
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A very rare 1924 500cc side valve New Hudson recently beautifully restored in Eire. |
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A nice example of the early model New Hudson Autocycle. It is the only New Hudson known to be in Iceland. |
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A beautiful 211cc two stroke New Hudson. This 1914 machine is a very early product as it uses petrol-oil mixture in the tank and does not have the metered oiling system of all other known 211cc New Hudson's. |
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Mr Robert Owen who was born in 1901with his 1914 Model C 211cc two stroke in about 1919. |
 
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A very nicely restored 1953 New Hudson Autocycle. For sale along with a beautifully restored matching child's side car with chassis and attachments. The child's side car most likely Watsonian which is for sale with the Autocycle above. |
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A 1931 picture of Mr Job VanderWeyde in Holland with his 1931 New Hudson. His grandson who lives in Australia is currently restoring a 1931 New Hudson. |
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A beautifully restored 1946 Autocycle. Recently completed in Guernsey. Won best in Class for motorcycles at it's first show. Hardly surprising! |
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1932 Model 3 in Holland (now sold). |
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1931 350cc ohv New Hudson for sale. |
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A very nice looking example of the 1957 Autocycle. |
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A very tidy example of a 1950 New Hudson Autocycle. |
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Model 91E to be restored. Parts needed. |
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1928 Model 85. for sale in Austria. |
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Autocycle for sale in Scottish Borders. |
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1950 autocycle with 1955 engine for sale. |
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Autocycle for sale. |
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Autocycle for sale. |
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Autocycle for sale in Cambridge. |
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1911 New Hudson 482cc JAP engine, single speed. The SCOTT on the number plate is the name of a New Zealand agent for New Hudson. |
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A very nice restoration of a 1927 500cc twin port by my friend Paul in New Zealand. |
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Eric with the 1914 New Hudson, which now is being ridden by a new owner. |
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Complete Autocycle. 1946 Autocycle for sale. See Spares page for more details. |
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Wanted for New Hudson Autocycle 1948-52. One handle bar brake lever and center stand. See wanted. |
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New Hudson gear box Speedo drive mechanism, as mounted inside gear box cover plate. | Gear box Speedo drive. | |
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Gear box top showing 1/2 inch connection for cable outer | 
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Gear change side knee pad for all 1931/2 models. A batch will be available this year. See news and for sale sections. |
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A cap like this is wanted. See the wanted section | ||
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Example of an early New Hudson badge. | 
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New Hudson badge. Mainly used on the autocycles made from 1940 to 1957. |
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The casings as mentioned in the News page, after being polished and fitted to the frame of a restoration project. |
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A box of New Hudson big ends has been found. The owner has supplied the attached dimensioned drawing. More information on the News page. |
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Rear stand clips suitable for many models. | 
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Cam wheel and follower see for sale section. |
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1929 Clutch 1 See wanted section. | 
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1929 clutch 2 See wanted section. |
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1929 clutch 3 See wanted section. | 
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1924 500cc side valve engine for sale in Italy. See for sale section. |
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Auto cycle tank for sale. For this and other parts see advert in for sale section. | 
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Part of the collection for sale. |
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Picture of the collection listed for sale. | 
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More of the collection for sale |
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More of the collection for sale |  |
Tax disc wanted. See spare parts wanted |
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ML C.K. 1 Magneto |  |
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Eric does not like the term expert as there is always more to learn on any subject. However, he has researched the New Hudson Company and its motor cycles and autocycles for over thirty years, and is the long standing Marque Specialist for VMCC Ltd. He is keen to find another enthusiast for the marque to hand over this role to and to learn from Eric before its too late. If you are interested in New Hudson Motor Cycles and wish to take over the role as marque specialist please get in touch with Eric or the VMCC.
Eric has probably accumulated more knowledge and information about New Hudson than is likely to be easily found elsewhere. He also has a large library of New Hudson literature and maintained a register of over three hundred New Hudson machines and their world wide owners.
His book "New Hudson - The History of a Motor Cycle Company" was published in 1999 and though out of print, it is now available as a CD from the VMCC Library.
When Eric found my first New Hudson there was little information available and his research was initially to enable him to restore it. This soon became a life time interest involving travel to many libraries, museums, and archives, and contacting and sometimes meeting with long retired employees of the company. He was lucky enough to meet with a member of the Patterson family (the original owners of the Company) and to have contact with others.
Much help came from Reg Taylor, Bert Le Vack's racing mechanic, the great rider Tommy Bullus, and the Langton family. Eric was appointed Marque Specialist for VMCC, and having published his book has been accepted as something of a world wide authority on New Hudson.
You can contact me for help, advice or simply to chat about the subject via email.
All images and photographs on this web site are copyright VMCC except where otherwise indicated. You may use these for personal use only, but consent in writing from VMCC is required before you may use any text, images or photographs on this site for profit, commercial use or use in the public domain in any form.
