Hudson Hornet

Hudson Hornet
1951 Hudson Hornet Four-Door Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Hudson Motor Car Company (1951-1954) American Motors (1955-1957)
Production	1950–1957
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Layout	FR layout

First generation
1951 Hudson Hornet coupe
Overview
Production	1951–1954
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	308 cu in (5.0 L) I6 308 cu in (5.0 L) I6
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed manual with overdrive Hydramatic automatic (General Motors) automatic 1954 only (Borg Warner)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	124 in (3,150 mm)
Length	208 in (5,283 mm)
Width	77.5 in (1,968 mm)
Height	60 in (1,524 mm)
Curb weight	3,620 lb (1,642 kg)

Second generation
1957 Hudson Hornet V8 Super Hollywood Hardtop
Overview
Production	1955–1957
Assembly	Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door hardtop
Powertrain
Engine	308 cu in (5.0 L) I6 320 cu in (5.2 L) Packard V8 (1955-early-56) 250 cu in (4.1 L) AMC V8 (late-56) 327 cu in (5.4 L) AMC V8 (1957)
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed manual with overdrive Hydramatic automatic with I6 Ultramatic automatic with V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121.25 in (3,080 mm) 1956 Special: 114.25 in (2,902 mm)
Length	209 in (5,309 mm) 1956 Special: 202 in (5,131 mm)
Width	78 in (1,981 mm)
Height	60 in (1,524 mm)
Curb weight	I6: 3,495 lb (1,585 kg) V8 Hornet Special: 3,467 lb (1,573 kg)

The Hudson Hornet was a full-sized automobile which was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, between 1951 and 1954 and then by American Motors Corporation (AMC) in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and marketed under the Hudson brand between 1955 and 1957.

The first-generation Hudson Hornets featured a functional "step-down" design with dropped floorpan and a chassis with a lower center of gravity than contemporary vehicles that helped the car handle well – a bonus for racing. The Hornet's lower and sleeker look was accentuated by streamlined styling, sometimes called "ponton" styling. The car's "unique, low slung appearance and silky handling earned Hudson an image that – for many buyers – eclipsed luxury marques like Cadillac."

The second-generation Hudson Hornets was a restyled Nash that was badge engineered as a Hudson.

The Hornet, introduced for the 1951 model year, was based on Hudson's "step-down" design that was first seen in the 1948 model year on the Commodore. The design merged body and chassis frame into a single structure, with the floor pan recessed between the car's chassis rails instead of sitting on top of them. Thus one "stepped down" into a Hudson. The step-down chassis's "lower center of gravity...was both functional and stylish. The car not only handled well, but treated its six passengers to a sumptuous ride. The low-slung look also had a sleekness about it that was accentuated by the nearly enclosed rear wheels."

Hudson Hornets were available as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, a convertible and a hardtop coupe. The models were priced the same as Commodore Eight, which was priced from US$2,543 to $3,099.