Season 2, Episode 4 of The Journey examines The JBS Collection’s rare 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan, delivering an in-depth exploration of innovation, craftsmanship, and pre-war automotive excellence
The JBS Collection and owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. proudly announce the May 15, 2026, release of Season 2, Episode 4 of The Journey. The latest installment of the popular automotive series spotlights a rare and historically significant 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan—an elegant example of late-1920s American automotive ingenuity.
In Season 2, Episode 4, Smith, Jr. and renowned restoration expert Travis LaVine, of LaVine Restorations, Inc., deliver an engaging and insightful look into the 1928 Hudson Model O, one of the most distinctive vehicles in The JBS Collection. As one of fewer than five known surviving models—and the only 1928 Hudson Model O Murphy-Bodied Convertible Sedan featuring a three-piece hood with removable side panels and a fixed top—this Model O Convertible Sedan represents a pivotal era for the Hudson Motor Car Company.
Committed to blending innovation with accessibility, the Hudson Motor Car Company was known for the performance, durability, and forward-thinking engineering of its automobiles. Hudson’s capacity to offer both refined styling and reliable performance to a rapidly growing market of discerning drivers stood at the forefront of the American automotive industry in the late 1920s.
“The 1928 Hudson Model O is a significant American vehicle, and not only because it reflects a time period when Hudson was a major competitor in the American automotive market,” said Jack Boyd Smith Jr. “This car tells so much history, as Hudson had become the third largest automaker in the U.S. by 1925. But more than that, this vehicle is a rare, early example of style, substance, and world-class engineering combined into one machine. With its beautiful coachwork by the Murphy Body Company and its extreme rarity, many people forget that this vehicle was also an early engineering powerhouse. Its famous ninety-two horsepower Super Six inline engine was a star in its time, and helped the American automaker break records and set new standards for speed.”
An early legacy of innovation
By the late 1920s, Hudson had solidified its reputation as a leader in producing powerful yet affordable automobiles, and the Model O—with its robust inline engine and an advanced chassis construction that aided endurance and everyday usability—reflects this legacy.
Hudson’s ability to balance engineering excellence with stylish design made it a dominant force during this transformative period in automotive history, and surviving examples are increasingly rare, making this vehicle a highly significant artifact of pre-war automotive history.
The JBS Collection’s 1928 Hudson Model O Convertible Sedan is believed to be one of fewer than five such models remaining in existence.
A piece of history, and a multiple award winner
This classic Hudson—expertly restored to completion in 2009 after a meticulous, 15-month body-off frame rehabilitation by the acclaimed team at LaVine Restorations—went on to win Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that year, along with Full Classic recognition from the Classic Car Club of America, and National First Prize honors at the October 2010 Hershey Fall Meet under judging by the Antique Automobile Club of America.
“I’m honored to own this incredible Hudson,” said Smith Jr., “and I’m even happier to be able to spotlight it and share it through The Journey with our growing legions of automotive fans and followers. That’s the purpose of the series, to share these remarkable vehicles with people all over the world.”
The Journey launched in October of 2024, and the series premiere featured Smith Jr.’s 1934 Packard Twelve 1108 Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich. The award-winning vehicle, painstakingly restored by Smith Jr. and LaVine, was first commissioned and owned by the renowned California heiress-turned-explorer Louise Arner Boyd, one of the world’s first female Arctic explorers.