In 1932, Amelia Earhart was one of America’s most beloved personalities. Here’s a chance to see and hear the female aviation pioneer in person as she introduces the new ’32 Essex Terraplane. 

There’s a genuine tone of urgency in this original 1932 newsreel introducing Hudson’s new Essex Terraplane. From a historic high of more than 5.3 million cars produced in 1929, the American auto industry had all but collapsed under the effects of the Great Depression. Production barely reached 1.3 million cars in 1932, and the unemployment rate in Detroit topped 50 percent. So early in our film, as Hudson announced its intention to put 8,000 men back to work, that was tremendous news for the Motor City.

Introduced in 1919, Hudson’s junior Essex brand had been a big winner for the Detroit automaker all through the 1920s, but by the early ’30s it was shoved aside in the marketplace by price leaders Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. With the Terraplane, Hudson hoped to reclaim some territory in the low-priced field, offering consumers dramatic styling, a sporty image, and a spirited six-cylinder engine. The new model was badged as the Essex Terraplane for the first year to help consumers negotiate the brand transition, and the Essex name was dropped the following year.

Female aviator Amelia Earhart might be best known today for her mysterious disappearance somewhere in the Pacific Ocean in July of 1937, as she attempted her historic around-the-world flight. But in 1932 she was America’s sweetheart, with a number of aviation firsts and several best-selling books to her credit. With the Terraplane introduction, Hudson was hoping to leverage some of her considerable popularity into increased sales, naturally, and this is a perfect opportunity for us to see the charismatic lady flyer in person. By the way, the man with the round spectacles in the film is Roy D. Chapin, chairman and co-founder of the Hudson Motor Car Company and the father of Roy Chapin Jr., the future CEO of American Motors. Video below.