Frank Spring designed cars and airplanes before joining the Hudson styling department in 1931. His concept, first shown in 1941, was ultimately responsible for Hudson's 'Step-Down' design that lowered the floor to just eight inches off the ground. Introduced in 1948, the design lasted through the 1954 model year. 'Step-Down' was in reference to the placement of the passenger compartment down inside the perimeter of the frame. Entering the vehicle required stepping down into a floor that was surrounded by the perimeter of the car's frame. This design made the car safer, and it lowered the center of gravity, resulting in better handling and improved performance. The 1951 six-cylinder engines received a new block with thicker walls and various other improvements that resulted in a boost of horsepower by nearly 18 percent and torque by 28.5 percent. The GM-supplied 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was now optional in Hornets and Commodore Custom 6s and 8s.Lightweight bodies, high-torque inline six-cylinder engines, and the 'Step-Down' design resulted in the Hornet dominating NASCAR from 1951 through 1954. Many of the NASCAR records set by Hudson in the 1950s remained today. The Hornets won 27 of the 34 NASCAR races in 1952, with Tim Flock becoming the NASCAR Champion. The Hudson Hornet Club Coupe won 40 of the 48 stock car races in 1952, living up to its name as the 'unquestioned ruler of the road.'Hudson cars were also very successful in races sanctioned by the AAA Contest Board from 1952 to 1954. Marshall Teague won the AAA Stock Car Championship in 1952 and Frank Mundy in 1953. For 1952, the traditional Hudson grille and front end received only minor changes, while the back received more significant updates, with the bumper, license plate frame, and name badge unified into one large, curvaceous piece of chrome. The Hornet's iconic chrome spear was lifted to cover the body crease, creating a more sweeping appearance. Based on the Commodore Eight, the Hornet had Hornet medallions on the front fenders, rear deck gold, and chrome hood mascot, and Hornet medallions on front door valance panels. 1952 Hudson Hornet's body styles included a sedan, club coupe, Hollywood Hardtop, and Convertible Brougham. Prices began at $2,720 for the club coupe and rose to over $3,300 for the Convertible Brougham. The roof of the Hollywood helped distinguish it from other lower-priced Club Coupe body styles, and the wraparound rearview was both fashionable and practical. The interior featured a 'Buck Rogers' inspired dashboard and dark blue or brown leather-grained window garnish moldings.The Hollywood Hardtop accounted for 2,160 sales, and the convertible for 360 sales. Total Hornet production was 35,921 examples representing a significant portion of the company's (approximately) 70,000 sales for 1952. Powering the Hornet was the company's largest six-cylinder engine, a 308 cubic-inch powerplant delivering 145 horsepower 3,800 RPM. It had four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, and a chrome alloy block. Numerous factory performance options were offered, including the 'Miracle H-Power' engine with both 7.2:1 aluminum head and a 6.7:1 iron alloy head, plus a 7.2:1 iron alloy head. A dual-carburetor induction system with dual intake manifolds was available as the 'Twin-H' power package, boosting power to 170 BHP at 3,800 RPM. Transmission options included a Hydra-Matic drive and an overdrive. Four-wheel mechanical drum brakes provided the stopping power.Production of the Hudson Hornet lasted from 1951 until the company's merger with Nash-Kelvinator in 1954, forming American Motors Corporation (AMC). After the merger, Hudson's Detroit manufacturing facility was closed, and the production of Hudson models was handled by Nash's Wisconsin factory. The name 'Hudson Hornet' continued, but they no longer used the 'Step-Down' platform, now being based on the senior Nash models with Hudson styling. In this guise, the Hornet name continued through 1957, by which point it was offered in 'Super' and 'Custom' trim levels, available as a two-door 'Hollywood' hardtop or four-door sedan. Production of the Hudson Hornet ended on June 25th of 1957, at which time the Hudson brand name was discontinued, and all American Motors Corporation automobiles were then marketed as being made by 'Rambler' Division.
by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020
by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020
Related Reading : Hudson Hornet History
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....
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