The American Hudson Motor Car Company took its name from Joseph L Hudson, who provided the finances that enabled a group of experienced ex-Olds Motor Works employees to embark on a new automobile manufacturing venture.

Incorporated in February 1909, Hudson built its first car in July of that same year and 12 months later had sold 4,000 units, the industry's best first-year sales record to date.

Although the firm would later become famous for its record-breaking Super Six range, Hudson's first product was the four-cylinder Model 20.

In 1913 it was came the first of the sixes, the 'Model 54', and for 1914 the Hudson range consisted of six-cylinder models only.

During 1915 Hudson sold a little under 12,900 cars - some 1,000-or-so less than Chevrolet, by way of comparison - yet in 1916 no fewer than 25,772 Hudsons found customers, an increase of 100%.

The reason was the introduction in January that year of the 'Super Six', which had been launched on the back of a series of high-speed ...