"Doc Hudson" Dead at 83

[Swampy Meadows]

Let's lift a cold one to the man who probably did more to popularize the Hudson marque to the general public than anyone:

Paul Newman alias "Doc Hudson" who died at 83.

He got his money's worth.

[firestone 79]

What a loss. A great actor, great driver, and make one heck of a salad dressing.

[SamJ]

Here's a quote from Sam Posey that sums up Newman's life and racing career for me: Recalled Posey: "He drove less frequently in the last few years. But his car was a brutish Corvette which had his age as its number. I remember when it was No. 81 and he was racing at Lime Rock. It was raining and the track had standing water at several places. Any sensible 81-year-old would have put the thing on the trailer, but Paul got out there, out-braked the field into turn one, got into a slide at about 120 mph, corrected deftly and shot through into the lead, which he never lost." :(

[hdsn49]

I also watched that race at Lime Rock two years ago. I'm quit familiar with Lime Rock. My brother Dan and I raced there for many years. I was astonished with Pauls racing ability. We were lucky if we even finished the race on a bright sunny day.

Being from Connecticut and spending many weekends at Lime Rock Park, people always had the nicest thing to say about Paul. He was a great man, a true humanitarian. His passing is a loss to the world.

[Hudzilla]

All true enough Sam, and a great actor to boot. But what about the actor who actually OWNED a Hudson ---- Steve McQueen. Not thats our guy. As I recall he wasen't too shy about putting his foot to the floor either.

[oldhudsons]

Yes, looked at a book a few days ago titled "McQueen's Cars" or something similar & there was a photo of it with McQueen, think it was a '52 or '53 Wasp.
One of his best friends, Bruce Brown, was an HET member & had a big collection of Hudsons - I'm not sure who got whom into Hudsons.
Bruce & Steve collaborated on the movie "On Any Sunday" about riding dirt motorcycles. Bruce won an Oscar for best documentary with "The Endless Summer" which popularized surfing beyond just Calif. They were much alike, both loving cars & motorcycles.
Bruce has a huge blowup of a pic of he & McQueen on board a yacht off the coast of Alaska on the wall of his home (west of Santa Barbara along the Pacific Coast) taken when they decided to "get out of town" following Steve's divorce from Ali McGraw.
Bruce was very shaken by Steve's death.

[Uncle Josh]

We've got one of Paul's 'Hole in the Woods' camps for handicapped kids near us. Free for the kids. What a great thing.
A true humanitarian.

[Billy K.TN.]

A Mid South member in Memphis drives a Hornet once owned by Steve McQueen.

[oldhudsons]

Billy - he may have had more than 1 Hudson. He had a large collection of motorcycles, mostly dirt bikes (interesting that Jay Leno started out with motorcycles too & is now a major car collector inc. a couple of Hudsons).
Bruce had 6 or 8 Hudsons from the '30s up & a lot of dirt bikes (Bruce has sold all or almost all of his cars).

[dynolou2]

The story of Paul Newman driving the "Doc Hudson" car at Lowes motor speedway bears repeating. For the "Cars" movie premier Gunnar Racing built a running drivable Doc. Paul was there for the premier, as the car was to be driven at more than freeway speeds it needed to be shaken down on the track. After the test driver was satisfied, Paul stepped into the seat after a couple of laps he brought the car in, change the rear gears he said its not fast enough. So with the change lap speeds were in the 140 - 150 range, however the smiley front bumper was causing the front end to get light. I'm glad that I got to see this car, pictures too, at the Hostetler Museum. A great man, great driver, positive role model for many of todays spoiled stars. I just bet that Paul and Dale Earnhardt are swapping racing stories today. Lou Cote

[oldhudsons]

There is a great photo in color of him sitting in that car in today's paper and with the words "HUDSON HORNET" right above the driver's door - great advertising for us & an excellent nearly 2 page bio on him!

[jjbubaboy]

Here Here!
Another great one is gone....