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This is the former Herb Thomas NASCAR stock car. It was given to Herb Thomas by the Hudson Motor Car Company and raced in 1952 and 1953. Hudson was the first automobile company to realize the value of racing for improving the performance and durability of their products. The program was administered by Hudson engineer V.W. 'Vince' Piggins. He would leave Hudson after American Motors was formed, and head up Chevrolet's performance division when the 'small block' Chevrolet V8 models were introduced in 1955.
The Hudson Motor Car Company came into existence in 1909 and produced vehicles until 1957. It was created by Howard Coffin, George W. Dunham, and Roy E. Chapin. Based in Detroit, Michigan, the company had it most successful year in 1929 when it produced and sold over 300,000 vehicles. From 1942 through 1945, the Hudson Corporation did its patriotic part by manufacturing war materials such as naval engines and aircraft parts, during the Second World War. After the war, the Company had its share of ups and downs before it merged with Nash Motors in January of 1954, when it became known as American Motors. The Hudson plant closed while the production of Nash vehicles bearing Hudson badges continued. The brand name ceased to exist after 1957.
In 1951 Hudson introduced the Hornet. The Hornet sat atop a modified version of the Super Six chassis and outfitted with a 262 and 308 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder power-plant. It dominated the NASCAR circuit in the early fifties. In 1952, it won 27 NASCAR Grand National races, 22 in 1953, and 17 in 1954.
The car sat low, giving it an excellent center of gravity. Its flowing, curvy lines and enclosed rear wheels gave it aerodynamic features. The car sold well for the company when first introduced but slowly faded into the history books. The Big Three auto manufacturers were able to change the faces of their model line-up every year, the Independent Auto Manufacturer, Hudson was not. So by the time the Hudson was discontinued, it was feeling and looking its age.
A wonderful car with seating for six and featuring an L-head straight six coupled with Twin-H Power carburetors was enough to breathe life into the Hudson Company for only a few years. The company had lasted through two World Wars and the Great Depression but it would ultimately find its demise at the hand of low-cost, mass-produced automotive giants.
In 1951 Hudson introduced the Hornet. The Hornet sat atop a modified version of the Super Six chassis and outfitted with a 262 and 308 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder power-plant. It dominated the NASCAR circuit in the early fifties. In 1952, it won 27 NASCAR Grand National races, 22 in 1953, and 17 in 1954.
The car sat low, giving it an excellent center of gravity. Its flowing, curvy lines and enclosed rear wheels gave it aerodynamic features. The car sold well for the company when first introduced but slowly faded into the history books. The Big Three auto manufacturers were able to change the faces of their model line-up every year, the Independent Auto Manufacturer, Hudson was not. So by the time the Hudson was discontinued, it was feeling and looking its age.
A wonderful car with seating for six and featuring an L-head straight six coupled with Twin-H Power carburetors was enough to breathe life into the Hudson Company for only a few years. The company had lasted through two World Wars and the Great Depression but it would ultimately find its demise at the hand of low-cost, mass-produced automotive giants.
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1952 Hudson Hornet NASCAR |
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| Year | 1952 |
| Make | Hudson |
| Model | Hornet NASCAR |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 1951 - 1954 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | S |
| L-Head | |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Hydraulic valve lifters | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 308.00 CU IN. | 5048.1 cc. | 5 L. |
| Horsepower | 165.00 BHP (121.4 KW) @ 3800.00 RPM |
| HP / Liter | 33.0 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 7.5:1 |
| Main Bearings | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| Carter 2-barrel WGD | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 3 |
| Transmission | Manual |
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seen in the movie cars
Replies: 1 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 |
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com