I had a look for the brand name of that reproduction you are interested in. Found no mention anywhere so far. Yet as you said. They where being swamped out by the shays so far at least.

The mind is funny over time. As I was looking it clicked in that I too knew something about this issue. At the same time could not recall the pieces.It was so odd that the recall of whatever it was just was not there.On this it has happened with other things over the years. I can almost depend on the information mentally surfacing at some unexpected time usually. Just out of the blue so to speak.

An interesting discovery in the search is they are making vastly improved new engine parts in China for the model A engine. Including updated block castings and crankshafts and connecting rods. Being fully pressurized and Identical externally.

The company in China casts and machines a lot of car brands engine blocks . Looks like 3,900.00 fob in California for one. The new block is also a five main bearing type over the three main bearing original. This is not pie in the sky as they are already being sold and in use.

As for Hudson's styling in my era it was never really mainstream and very odd to me. At the same time they also produced some excellent styling in an earlier period. Otherwise only a mother could love them.