What brand is a Hudson Hornet?
The Hudson Hornet is a car produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company, representing the Hudson brand. The Hudson brand later merged with Nash Motors in 1954 to form American Motors Corporation (AMC).
Brand origin and model context
The Hudson Hornet sits within the Hudson brand's postwar lineup. Here are key facts about its branding and corporate context:
- Brand and manufacturer: Hudson Hornet was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company, a Detroit-based American automaker.
- Model years: The Hornet was produced from 1951 to 1954 as part of the Hudson lineup.
- Corporate fate: In 1954 Hudson merged with Nash Motors to form American Motors Corporation (AMC).
- Engineering note: The Hornet rode on Hudson's postwar Step-Down platform and offered the Twin-H-Power inline-six engine option, contributing to its performance reputation.
- Brand legacy: The Hornet remains a recognizable flagship of the Hudson marque and a touchstone in mid‑century American automotive history.
These items illuminate how the Hornet fit into Hudson's branding and the broader corporate landscape of its era.
Racing heritage
Beyond its street credentials, the Hudson Hornet earned enduring fame in stock car racing during the early 1950s. Known for its performance on NASCAR circuits, it earned the nickname "Fabulous Hudson Hornet" and helped imprint the model in American automotive lore.
Legacy and cultural footprint
The Hornet's racing success, combined with its distinctive design and postwar engineering, has made it a collectible icon among enthusiasts and a symbol of Hudson's engineering philosophy.
Brand convergence and afterlife
After the 1954 merger that formed AMC, the Hudson nameplate faded from independent branding as American Motors integrated Hudson with Nash and later Rambler offerings. The Hudson Hornet endures primarily as a historical emblem of the era's automotive culture and racing prowess.
Summary
The Hudson Hornet is a Hudson brand vehicle built by the Hudson Motor Car Company in the early 1950s. It became part of AMC through the Nash-Hudson merger and is remembered for its performance, Step-Down design lineage, and notable racing heritage that cemented its place in mid-century American car history.
What brand is the Hudson Hornet?
The Hudson Hornet brand was a full-size car made by the Hudson Motor Car Company, a defunct American automaker. The company merged with Nash-Kelvinator in 1954 to form American Motors Corporation (AMC), and the Hudson name was discontinued after the 1957 model year.
This video provides a detailed overview of the Hudson Hornet's history and its transition into AMC: 59sDead Dodge GarageYouTube · Jun 29, 2025
- Manufacturer: Hudson Motor Car Company, which later merged to form American Motors Corporation (AMC).
- Discontinuation: The Hudson brand name was retired after the 1957 model year.
- Legacy: The Hudson Hornet is famous for its racing success, its "step-down" design that gave it a lower center of gravity, and its role in the Disney Pixar movie Cars.
Who is Hudson Hornet in real life?
The Fabulous Hudson Hornet is a famous NASCAR Grand National Series and AAA stock car campaigned during the early 1950s that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company. Several drivers, including Marshall Teague and Herb Thomas, drove Hudson Hornets that were nicknamed the "Fabulous Hudson Hornet".
What kind of car is the Hudson Hornet in cars?
The Hudson Hornet is a classic American car, primarily a large, straight-six-powered automobile from the 1950s, known for its role as a dominant NASCAR race car and its innovative "step-down" unibody design. The design, which lowered the center of gravity and improved handling, was a key factor in the car's racing success.
Key features and history
- Manufacturer: Hudson Motor Car Co.
- Model years: Primarily the 1950s, with the first model year being 1951.
- Design: Featured a revolutionary "step-down" design where the floorpan was recessed within the unibody chassis, creating a lower center of gravity and making it a great handling car.
- Engine: Equipped with a large displacement inline-six engine, most notably the 308 cubic inch engine that produced around 145 horsepower in its initial configuration.
- NASCAR dominance: The Hudson Hornet was hugely successful in early NASCAR racing, securing a championship title in its first year, 1951.
- "Twin H-Power": An optional dealer-installed or factory-optional "Twin H-Power" setup featured twin carburetors that significantly increased its power output.
What is a Hudson Hornet worth today?
Q: What was the lowest recorded sale price for a Hudson Hornet? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $5,000 for a 1955 Hudson Hornet Sedan Project on Mar 19 2025. Q: What is the average sale price of a Hudson Hornet? A: The average price of a Hudson Hornet is $37,913.
