1953 Hudson Hornet Sedan

This 1953 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Sedan is very special and has a very distinguished racing career. It was known affectionately as the 'Satan of Morimar'.

The Hudson marque had a proud racing heritage most notable in the post-war era when it finished first in 47 AAA and NASCAR events, amassing 36 victories in 42 starts. In a time when stock car racing was exactly that - stock cars racing on an oval track – the Hudson was king. The cars were purchased from the showroom and taken to the track, and no manufacturer could boast a better record than the Hudson Company. Powered by their potent L-Head side-valve inline-six-cylinder engines, they were virtually unbeatable. It must have been embarrassing for the other manufacturers who showed up with engines that had two extra cylinders and were nearly 100 cubic inches larger in size, only to finish behind the Hudsons.

The stock Hudson six-cylinder engine produced 145 horsepower. After Marshall Teague and Hudson engineer Vince Piggins were done with it, the engine had been modified to include a bigger bore, valves, modified combustion chambers, split dual exhausts, high-performance cam, high compression head, and 'Twin H-Power' carburetors and manifold. The result was an increase in horsepower by 75 and over 275 foot-pounds of torque. To accommodate this increase in power, the suspension, brakes, and axle were beefed up and reinforced. The low center of gravity, superb handling and potent engine left the competition in the dust.

As mentioned before, the story of the Satan of Morimar is classic. In 1955 there was an accident that left a 1952 Commodore beyond repair and its owner without a car. The owner surveyed what his money could buy and was disappointed with the selection. Most of the cars were too heavy, too big, and too flamboyant. He wanted another Hudson, but that was too much for his pocketbook to spare. So he turned his focus across the pond to what Europe was offering. A suitable car was found with the Jaguar marque, and an order was placed. Over a period of time, the Jaguar was still not delivered, and the owner was becoming anxious, annoyed, and frustrated. Until one day, he found a Hudson Hornet sitting in a used car lot. A spur-of-the-moment decision left the used car dealer a little richer but short one car. The new owner then set out to purchase a commuter car, leaving the Hudson Hornet for competition.

The color was repainted with a dark metal-flake blue which took 27 coats before it finally matched the interior. Metallic gold was painted on the lower portion of the car. Next was the 7X engine, which received some beauty modifications in the form of chrome. To allow more air into the engine compartment, louvers were cut into the hood. A driver's side spotlight and new hubcaps completed the cosmetic modifications.

Jack Clifford of Hudson Performance Products was commissioned to modify the engine which consisted of many upgrades and performance products. A floor-mounted Dragfast Shifter could now be found in the interior. The shifter was not suitable for this car, so it was made to work. The problem was that it needed extra room, so the solution was to cut out a portion of the front seat to accommodate its space requirements.

This machine was both beautiful and beastly. It was given the name 'Satan of Morimar,' and the owner turned to competition. It was raced in many hill-climbs where its power and torque were complimented by its superb handling and responsive steering. The body was aerodynamic with its enclosed wheels and curvy and sloping body. Its Achilles' heal was its weight and its size. It looked out of place when matched up against other vehicles in its class which often included Triumph Spitfires, MGBs, Mustangs, and even Firebirds. It quickly amassed many victories, proving its superior engineering and the skill of its driver. Those who knew of the car respected it; those who did not often mock the car and its owner. After the race, when they had been thoroughly beaten and embarrassed, they would angrily ask the owner what kind of engine was powering the Hudson. When it was revealed that it was just a six-cylinder engine, their embarrassment and anger grew even greater, but a newfound respect was created.

In March 2006, it was offered for sale without reserve by RM Auction. All proceeds were graciously donated to the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance charities, a very noble and admirable offering. When the gavel struck the podium closing the sale, a new owner had been found, and this car that was once sitting in a used car parking lot fetched a price of $110,000 - all going to a very worthy cause. It had been estimated to have been worth between $30,000-$40,000, but very generous bidding drove the price to more than double this amount.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007