The story of the 1946 Hudson Super Six Broughham begins with the end of World War II. The early postwar years ushered in a booming seller's market where even rehashed prewar cars sold like crazy. Hudson prospered with the rest of Detroit, but built very few convertibles.
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Though nothing more than a modestly revised 1942 model, the 1946
Hudson Super Six Broughham sold well in the post-war buying frenzy.
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Hudson was no exception to this pattern, issuing modestly revised '42 models for 1946-47 and selling every one it could make. There were fewer choices, however, as Hudson axed lower-priced offerings to concentrate on more profitable Super and Commodore Sixes and Commodore Eights. Differences from '42 involved a more complicated "face," minor interior touch-ups, and higher prices (the result of postwar inflation). Engines remained at prewar power levels: 102 horsepower for the 212-cubic-inch L-head six, 128 for the 254-cid straight eight.
 The solid, functional dash of the Hudson Super Six Brougham was complemented by a lush interior. |
Early postwar Hudsons were smooth and solid but rather staid, even the Brougham convertibles. For 1946 these comprised an $1879 Super Six and a $2050 Commodore Eight, both on a 121-inch wheelbase. All told, Hudson built only 1177 ragtops for the model year, most being Super Sixes like the one shown here.
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