By Bob and Ruth Valentine
When I entered the antique car hobby in the mid 1970’s with a 1932 Chevrolet, I had never heard of Hupmobile. Because I was the only one in my immediate neighborhood, College Point, and was seen driving around in a 45 year old car, people cleaned out their garages of old car stuff as if I could use it all on my car. One of those items given to me was a folded, wrinkled, and stained Hupmobile owner’s manual. (Year and model info lost to time).
When I started going to car shows I noticed Hupmobiles at Ridgefield CT, Glen Island, Old Westbury Garden, and Eastern Long Island. They always, appeared to me, to have just a little more of something that I cannot describe. I told myself back then that some day I would own a Hupp.
Fast forward to 2011, 1932 Chevrolet gone, a bad purchase of a 1953 International, I saw a “for sale” article for a 1924 Hupmobile and it was local. After an inspection and haggling it was ours. I discovered that it was one of the Hupmobiles I saw many years ago at Old Westbury Gardens belonging to club member Les Cutting. It still had his “Long Island Old Car Club” badge mounted on the front bumper.
With help from Artie and Keith and then Sam Greco new tubes, tires and flaps were installed all around. New windshield glass from Blue Chip in Williston Park. I replaced the LIOCC badge with Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society plate #24 and, yes Bob, a GNYR decal on the windshield.
One other thing we did was to join the Hupmobile club. The club library had an owner’s manual that I received a copy via e-mail at no charge. I made a donation to the treasury. With only approximately 600 members worldwide we have to help each other.
Ruth and I have driven the Hupp to Old Wesbury Gardens, the Farmhouse, a parade for the Tuskegee Airmen, salute to veterans at Bar Beach and yes the hill up to Sagamore Hill in HIGH gear. We also did the 105th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Tour around Nassau County.
Some facts – four cylinder, 182.5 cu. In, 16.9 Horsepower and price, back then of course, was $1,195. The car runs nice at 35 and with only 2 wheel brakes I don’t think I would want to go any faster.
This will be the last antique car that I will buy. But of course if I could find a military Jeep or an early CJ that I could clone. Sure would be nice to drive in my American Legion parades.
I too have a 1924 Hupmobile. It belong to my father. He and his best friend went to all the swap meets and car shows together in this car. They loved it! They are both gone now and I have the vehicle. I am wanting to sell it. If you know anyone who would be interested please let me know. The car needs to be restored but it does hae all the parts intact.