Orphan cars displayed in Newark
Story & photos by John Zornow

As summer winds down, so does the weekly car show at Tom Wahl's restaurant on West Union St., Newark. This week's show highlighted several 'orphan' cars, owned by local residents.

Collector Wayne Smith, who specializes in 'orphan' and unique cars, attended the show with a 1948 Crosley Convertible.

One of only 2845 built, it cost $899 new! Powel Crosley Jr., builder of the car, was known as the Henry Ford of radios, making his fortune in the 1920s by making radios that everyone could afford. Crosley also manufactured appliances and was the owner of the Cincinnati Reds and WLW Radio station.

The Bade family brought their Hudsons to the show. On the left is a Jet, Hudson's attempt to break into the small car market. At right is a 1954 Hudson, the last true step-down Hudson.

Starting in 1955, until the name was abandoned, a Hudson was a Nash car with a Hudson name-plate, causing some people referred to the 1955 through 1957 Hudson as 'Hashes.'

Many agree that Hudsons are 'orphans' as Hudson and Nash were part of American Motors, purchased by Chrysler, which is still in business.

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