Frank Spring

Frank Spring was a renowned American automotive designer and engineer, best known for his influential work at the Hudson Motor Car Company, where he played a key role in developing the iconic “step-down” design. Born into a wealthy West Coast family, Spring pursued a mechanical engineering degree at the prestigious Paris Polytechnic, graduating in 1914. After serving in the U.S. Signal Corps during World War I, he began his career at the Courier Car Company, before joining the Walter Murphy Coach Company in Pasadena in the early 1920s.

In 1924, following a managerial reshuffling at Murphy, Spring took over as general manager and made significant contributions to the company’s designs. Murphy’s partnership with Hudson began in the late 1920s, and by 1931, Spring was working at Hudson, eventually rising to the role of style engineer in 1931. At Hudson, he was instrumental in shaping the company’s design philosophy, overseeing the development of the low, sleek 1932 models, and laying the groundwork for future innovation.

Spring is perhaps best remembered for his leadership in the creation of the “step-down” Hudsons, a revolutionary design introduced in 1947. By lowering the floor below the frame rails, Spring’s team created a car with an exceptionally low center of gravity, providing better handling, safety, and a more spacious interior. This groundbreaking design earned widespread acclaim and solidified Spring’s legacy in automotive history.

While not a hands-on designer himself, Spring excelled at overseeing and coordinating design efforts, bringing together talented individuals like Robert Andrews and Arnold Yonkers, and even collaborating with Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring on the Hudson Italia. His work on the Italia, a limited-production dream car, marked a departure from Hudson’s typical designs, showcasing his flair for innovation and his interest in European automotive aesthetics.

Spring’s career spanned over three decades, during which he contributed to Hudson’s success. However, his later years were marked by frustration, as management altered many of his designs, leading to his departure from the company in the 1950s. Despite this, his contributions to automotive design remain influential and enduring.