5/11/2006

The following was previously published in The Courier as part of the discontinued "Wheels Ago" series:

Wheels Ago: Hudson Hornet
Model:  Hudson Hornet
Model Years: 1951 - 1954
Production: 1951: 43,666;1952: 35,921;1953: 27,208; 1954: 24,883
Base Price: $3,050 (1951)

During the early 1950s, the fledgling years of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) when stock car racers actually raced stock cars, a most unlikely contender appeared on the tracks. In 1951 Hudson introduced the Hornet. With its combination of excellent handling and brute power Hudson’s new model went on to dominate NASCAR events through 1954.

In 1948, Hudson had introduced the revolutionary "step-down" design for its Super Six model. With unit body construction that Hudson sales brochures referred to as "monobilt" and the floorpan suspended from the bottom of the chassis the design gave the Hornet a lower center of gravity and better handling.

The Hudson Hornet, introduced in 1951, took the Super Six chassis, refined it and added a significantly more powerful engine by boring out the original 262 cid in-line six-cylinder engine to 308 cid to deliver 145 horsepower. Later in the year, "Twin H-Power" was introduced with dual carburetors that increased horsepower to 155. In 1952, Hudson introduced the 210 horsepower "7-X" racing engine.

The Hudson Hornet quickly caught the attention of early 1950s era stock car racers.  On February 11, 1951 Marshall Teague drove a Hudson Hornet to victory in the 160 mile Daytona Grand National at Daytona Beach, Florida to begin Hudson's run on the NASCAR circuit. Hudson went on to win 27 of the 34 NASCAR Grand National races in 1952, 22 of 37 in 1953, and 17 of 37 in 1954.

Excited by the publicity generated by their success on the track, Hudson executives began directly backing their racing teams. The “Big Three” (Ford, General Motors and Chrysler), fearing losses on the track might translate into lost sales hurried to back their own cars. The system of industry backed racing was born and remains a prominent marketing tool today.

It was an amazing accomplishment from a car with a legitimate claim to luxury credentials. The car handled well and at the same time treated six passengers to a smooth and comfortable highway ride.

Facing financial difficulties in 1954 Hudson merged with Nash to form American Motors Corporation (AMC) and the last true Hudson was produced on October 29, 1954. The 1955 Hudson became a restyled Nash bearing a Hudson name. The brand disappeared for good in 1957.


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