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The Hudson Hornet was launched in September 1951 for the 1951 model year. The 'Step Down' Hudson models made their debut in 1948 and were one of the first new postwar American car designs to be manufactured. The Hornet was powered by a prewar-style flathead engine and displaced 308 cubic inches with 145 horsepower on tap. Buyers had the option of manual, overdrive, and automatic transmissions.
The Hornet enjoyed rather strong sales, thanks - in part - to its dominating performance in NASCAR and AAA stock-car racing through 1954. Its performance on the track earned the Hornet its 'Fabulous' moniker. Beginning in 1951, the Hornet legend opened with 12 wins in 41 NASCAR Grand National races, piloted by drivers such as Marshall Teague, Herb Thomas, Tim Flock, and Dick Rathmann. Hornets dominated in 1952, winning 40 of 48 major stock-car races. The following year, Hornets took 35 of 53 races, and Herb Thomas was NASCAR's new champion.
In 1953, Hudson produced 27,208 examples of the Hornet, the last year for Hudson as an independent manufacturer. Approximately 240 of them were convertibles, and of those, an estimated 51 are known to remain today. This example has the legendary 'Twin H-Power' dual-carburetor intake system. It has been given a restoration that was completed in 2009. The current owner acquired it in late 2013. The new owner showed it at the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded Best in Class.
This Hornet has a steel sun visor, leather upholstery, a working AM radio, automatic transmission, and hydraulic power windows.By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015
The Hornet enjoyed rather strong sales, thanks - in part - to its dominating performance in NASCAR and AAA stock-car racing through 1954. Its performance on the track earned the Hornet its 'Fabulous' moniker. Beginning in 1951, the Hornet legend opened with 12 wins in 41 NASCAR Grand National races, piloted by drivers such as Marshall Teague, Herb Thomas, Tim Flock, and Dick Rathmann. Hornets dominated in 1952, winning 40 of 48 major stock-car races. The following year, Hornets took 35 of 53 races, and Herb Thomas was NASCAR's new champion.
In 1953, Hudson produced 27,208 examples of the Hornet, the last year for Hudson as an independent manufacturer. Approximately 240 of them were convertibles, and of those, an estimated 51 are known to remain today. This example has the legendary 'Twin H-Power' dual-carburetor intake system. It has been given a restoration that was completed in 2009. The current owner acquired it in late 2013. The new owner showed it at the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded Best in Class.
This Hornet has a steel sun visor, leather upholstery, a working AM radio, automatic transmission, and hydraulic power windows.By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015
2016 Gooding & Company : The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $80,000-USD $120,000
Sale Price :
USD $187,000
2015 Rick Cole Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $250,000
Sale Price :
USD $85,000
2013 Mecum Auction - Anaheim 2013
Sale Price :
USD $150,000
1953 Hudson Hornet Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Hudson Hornet
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Hudson Hornet Chassis#: 232797 Sold for USD$35,000 2022 GAA : November 2022 | |
1953 HUDSON HORNET CLUB COUPE Chassis#: 7C265361 Sold for USD$36,300 2022 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Geared Online | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Replica Sold for USD$58,000 2021 GAA : July 2021 | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe Sold for USD$44,000 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Sedan Chassis#: 216678 Sold for USD$165,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Sold for USD$9,000 2018 Carlisle Auction : Fall Carlisle | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe Chassis#: 209700 Sold for USD$31,900 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe Sold for USD$27,500 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Spring | |
1953 HUDSON HORNET CLUB COUPE Chassis#: 236797 Sold for USD$33,000 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1953 HUDSON HORNET Chassis#: 7C218712 Sold for USD$33,000 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Sedan Sold for USD$31,350 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Convertible Chassis#: 7C229279 Sold for USD$187,000 2016 Gooding & Company : The Scottsdale Auction | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Convertible Chassis#: 7C229279 Sold for USD$85,000 2015 Rick Cole Monterey | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe Chassis#: 207355 Sold for USD$18,700 2015 The Auburn Auction | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Convertible Sold for USD$75,000 2015 Mecum - Rogers'Classic Car Museum 2015 | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Twin-H Convertible Twin-H Power Straight Six Chassis#: 7C229279 Sold for USD$150,000 2013 Mecum Auction - Anaheim 2013 | |
1953 Hudson Hornet 6 Sedan Sold for USD$50,600 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Sold for USD$425 2012 Silver Auction - Quartzsite Collection | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Sold for USD$200 2012 Silver Auction - Quartzsite Collection | |
1953 Hudson Hornet Sedan Chassis#: 216678 Sold for USD$61,600 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey |
Hudson Hornets That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Hudson Hornet's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 Hudson Hornet Hollywood | 2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | ||||
1953 Hudson Hornet Hollywood | 208730 | 2019 Auburn Spring : RM Auctions | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
1953 Hudson Hornet | 2016 Dragone Auction Greenwich Weekend Auction | $20,000 | $25,000 | ||
1953 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Club Coupe | 228933 | 2015 H & H Auctions Imperial War Museum | |||
1953 Hudson Hornet 6 | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
1953 Hudson Twin Hornet | 2013 Mecum Auctions Monterey | $110,000 | |||
1953 Hudson Hornet | 7C265361 | 2009 Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey by RM Auctions | $48,500 | $60,000 | $80,000 |
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1953 Hudson Hornet
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