1953 Hudson Hornet

Sedan

Hudson began production in 1909 by building assembled cars - buying components from various manufacturers and building a car in their factory. Within a few years, they had become a major American manufacturer.

The 'Step Down' Hudson was one of America's most roadworthy cars in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The company offered engine options that made the Hudson a favorite of stock car drivers - and a regular in the winner's circle.

The Hudson Hornet was introduced in 1951. A mechanically-advanced automobile, it offered a streamlined body with a low center of gravity. For 1953, three basic series were available - the Jet, Wasp, and Hornet, with variations within each series. Hudson sales had begun to decline in late 1953, Hudson merged with Nash and moved its production from Detroit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, about one year later.

The Hornet was equipped with a 308 cubic-inch, H-145 inline six-cylinder engine that developed 145 horsepower. Hudson offered special 'severe usage' parts for high performance, making it one of the hottest cars on the road during its time. The base factory price of the Hornet sedan was approximately $2,700.

Stock car racing was dominated by the Hornet in the early 1950s. This was an incredible feat for Hudson since the cars contained many luxury features.

For 1953, Hudson produced 27,208 Hornets, with approximately 910 being the two-door Hollywood hardtop. The Hudson Hornet was available in four different body styles for 1953, a sedan, club coupe, Hollywood Hardtop, and a Convertible Brougham. All were two-door vehicles, with the sedan being the sole four-door body style. Power was from a six-cylinder engine that displaced 308 cubic inches and produced 145 horsepower. It rode on a wheelbase that measured 124 inches and measured 208.5 inches in length.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 7C245006

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 Dan Vaughan

Sedan

The Hudson Hornet had tremendous success in NASCAR from 1951 to 1953. The 308 cubic-inch straight-six, which was the 'largest displacement six-cylinder engine in the world,' was the unit responsible for carrying the Hornet to these victories. This car has the factory '7X' engine modifications with dual single-barrel carburetors atop a dual-intake manifold producing 210 horsepower. The hood featured a 'ram air' scoop that ducted cold air to the carburetors. The car has been restored by the owner and includes a Hydramatic transmission, leather interior, windshield, and side window visors.

Club Coupe
Chassis number: 7C265361

This 1953 Hudson Hornet Coupe is equipped with an inline six-cylinder engine with 'Twin H-Power' air cleaners, dual carburetors, and an intake manifold. There is a dual-range Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and an independent front suspension.

In 2009, this example was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey, presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 216678

This Hudson Hornet 7C Sedan was purchased by legendary actor, amateur motor racing driver, skilled motorcyclist, hands-on automotive enthusiast, sex symbol, and pop culture icon of intergalactic proportion, Steve McQueen, in the mid-1970s. It was registered in his name in August 1977. This Twin H-Power Hudson was in his ownership and possession at the time of his passing on November 7, 1980. Subsequent to McQueen's passing, an estate sale was held in November 1984, and the subject Hornet sedan was sold into private ownership at that time.

The current owners acquired the car in 1987. The engine was rebuilt during McQueen's ownership, and the car has been treated to one high-quality repaint to the factory's original color scheme.

The Hudson Hornet is one of the most famous of the historically significant 'step down' Hudson model designs. The car's chassis architecture, and the way the body was mounted on it, meant that entering passengers stepped down modestly into the interior of the car, and this also allowed for a lower center of gravity, which improved road-holding. They were successful in racing, especially in the relatively new venue of NASCAR 'stock car' racing. The proven flathead six was originally rated at 140 horsepower. With 'Twin H-Power,' that figure rose to 170 horsepower, which employed a higher compression ratio, and the factory installation of dual Carter single barrel carburetors. In race trim, this yielded well over 200 horsepower.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at RM Auction's sale in Monterey, California. The car was estimated to sell for $40,000-$60,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to an end, the car had been sold for the sum of $61,600, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan

The Hudson Hornet was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, from 1951 until 1954.

The first generation of the Hornet featured a 'step-down' design with dropped floor pan and chassis. Hence, a lower center of gravity helped improve the car's handling. The streamlined styling also increased its popularity.

In 1953, there were a few modifications to the car, now with some new body style options. There were about 27,000 units made. All Hornets were powered by their straight 6 with about 145 horsepower. However, as race car tuners soon learned, the engine was capable of much more power when certain tweaks were used. The Twin-H option costs $85.60. With higher compression heads, Twin-H power carburetors, and manifold, these cars were the favorite of race car teams.

Convertible Brougham
Chassis number: 7C229279

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 Dan Vaughan

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 its 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 was 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, but 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.

by Dan Vaughan