To hot-rod a ‘50s Beetle, the Judson supercharger was the ticket

The early 1950s were a hot rodder’s paradise. No small number of companies were springing up offering speed parts for engines ranging from flathead Fords to MG four-bangers. Forced induction was becoming more popular, and Judson Research and Manufacturing Company was there to stoke the fire with superchargers for a variety of applications.

The company started producing superchargers for the Ford Flathead V-8 and the MG TD four-cylinder with modest success. But once Judson introduced a version of the sliding-vane supercharger design for the Volkswagen Beetle in 1956 the company’s supercharger really took off… read more >