Help! Somebody Tell Me Why I Don’t Want This Car!

So I might need an intervention here. This Hupmobile 20 runabout has become available and I’m seriously tempted. Just not sure if I’m ready to take the brass car plunge yet.

Oct 10, 2026

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Replies (29)

· 3w

Lookout for those brass ones…..it’s an addiction. You would enjoy life in the slow lane.

· 3w

Do it!
Brass cars are a ton of fun!

· 3w

One major concern I would have is that I live on top of a big hill. There are five different ways to get up the hill but all are steep. Hupp 20’s and hills aren’t the best of friends.

· 1d

My friend who used to own a Model 20, and has ridden in mine, has stated that their slogan should have been "Where there's a hill, there's a Hupp!" I once tried to buy a Model 20 touring car, he was disappointed I didn't get it, he said "that gives you two more people to help push". I really like my little runabout, cute as can be and great on level ground.

· 3w

Yeah but it's so cool looking!

· 3w

Don't really know much about early cars but will admit that car looks really fun.

· 3w

Good friends will talk you into a car you don't need. I like it. Have been lucky to ride in a few brass era speedsters like this and I agree they are a lot of fun.

· 3w

Here’s a link to a quick driving video. It sure does sound fun.

YouTube ↗

· 3w

The wind in your face at 30 mph makes it feel like 75.

· 3w

Pro vs Con: It’s a 2 speed sliding gear transmission so it has three pedals that we’re all used to, albeit in different places. But those two gears are the same ratios as first and third in a 3-speed, so a huge gap to cross, especially with a whopping 16.9 hp. This is why they’re not great hill climbers.

· 3w

Keep it at work??

· 3w

That is an option. They’re all of 10.5’ long so easy to find a corner to tuck it into.

· 3w

Another pro/con is that they’re so simple that they don’t even have an oil pump, water pump, or fan belt to go wrong. The downside to that is that the flywheel is hanging off the front of the engine with the fan blades built into it. That’s a lot of inertia twisting up the crank if you mistakenly jump on the brakes to slow down without declutching first, which can lead to a bad day.

· 3w

I fell in love with this thing. Thank god I'm broke. I assume you have a garage stall for it?

https://tomlaferriere.com/listings/1913-hudson-6-54-speedster/

· 3w

That Hudson is an awesome car. There’s always room for one more if you get creative. Especially if they’re small.

· 3w

What I liked about it as how big it was. And the steering column had the right speedster rake to it. Proportions were perfect. History back to the late 40s early 50s. Thankfully it is gone and I'm on to the next car that I hope I don't buy.

(edited)

· 3w

lol……. After all these years, my wife doesn’t even blink when I start talking about a new (old) car. She knows that I love to contemplate, analyze, research, and justify the “car of the week”, but I only pull the trigger about one out of 100 times.

· 3w

Enough goofing around. This is what I tell all my friends: Only buy things you have chased and loved for a while. If you really like this car, take a step back and start following them and learning. Go visit @TomLaferriere and take a ride in one of his cars. Know them inside and out and then wait for the best and most desirable car to fall in your lap.

By the time you buy a car you should know more than the seller and be 100% convinced it is a non brainer. I literally see 1 car a week that I just HAVE to have. Fortunately I learned a long time ago that if I can hold out until next week something different will come along and I'll forget the first car.

· 3w

That’s good advice. Boring as hell, but good advice. 😄

· 3w

It is good advice. 90% of your friends will egg you on to buy something you probably should pass on.

· 3w

I think I might be able to resist the urge on this one. It’s had extensive mechanical work done to it, which comes at a cost. It would be a much better value for someone planning on doing a lot of touring with it that wants long term durability. I have no time for touring so it would just be for puttering around the neighborhood and I would never be able to justify the cost. A cheap beater is my better option.

· 3w

You always need to consider the use for the car when you get it. Garage art, touring, showing, cruise nights or whatever. You will cruise around your neighborhood twice and then the car will sit for 10 years.

· 3w

A total buzz kill but painfully truthful….

· 3w

I think the best formula is to have one fabulous car that is mechanically ready to roll at any time, and because of that you can maybe justify a second car that’s a little bit of a project to tinker with, and that is it. Two cars total. But then have a bunch of friends who have huge garages full of them so you can live vicariously through them.

· 3w

That’s a good formula, but I’ll tweak it to three cars. Two reliable cars, one fast and one slow, then a third that is a bit more needy. I’m 2/3 of the way there now.

· 3w

So I’ve officially passed on this car because I don’t think it’s right for me. This one really needs to find someone who wants to tour heavily. Tom has done a lot of drivetrain and engine rebuilding on it that was well documented on the AACA forum, to which there are links attached. Interesting story, it was his father’s first car in high school and has been partially restored a few times since.

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/461434-1910-hupmobile-model-20-roadster-fs/

· 2w

I fully understand your quandry and appreciate your decision to pass on the little Hupp. I did the same thing. This is a car that I know fairly well and, like you, I was tempted. It’s a cute car with good mechanical upgrades along with reasonable cosmetics. I’m afraid it’s not an ideal tour car and I’m not happy just piddling around town. Someone will buy it soon, I hope. I did buy the 10 Hudson that you can just see in one photo.

· 2w

Oh, good. I didn’t know they were selling the Hudson too but that looks like a nice car.

· 1w

Go for it!