The concept of pinstriping is not entirely unlike the tendency for young people to invest in body art. It’s a form of expression, I suppose, but it doesn’t really change what’s underneath that fancy ink. Fortunately, a car like the Hudson Hornet has character in spades and this 1953 example here on eBay would still be an attractive buy at $3,700, even without the extra décor courtesy of Ed Hardy. I’ve always been a fan of the Hornet, primarily because this huge sedan enjoyed a successful racing history in the early days of NASCAR, thanks to the impressive power output of the factory’s big straight-six engines. Although this is a project that will require lots of parts-hunting and new floors, it’s an example of a car with history that speaks for itself – no body art required. Do you have the time and space to take on this original Hudson Hornet?
I would be seriously tempted by a two-door, Twin-H-Power version like the one referenced below. I’ve always wanted to unleash my inner Marshall Teague!
Sadly, a roached-out four-door with dead paint, no matter who applied the striping (which I don’t care for) doesn’t move me. I know there are fans, and I hope one of them steps up. But if I can’t have a Fabulous Hudson Hornet, I’d rather have a Jet.
The fact that this guy calls it “Ed Hardy” pin striping makes me not want to buy it from him.. that is Von Dutch style which the Ed Hardy brand did a terrible copying job on. Neat car though, good luck with the sale.
Pinstripes, ugh! What else could be done to defile this old beauty?
Love the car. The pinstripe is a non issue either way. If I could afford to restore this car to its former beauty, I would restore it to original as delivered condition.
Didn’t the young Andretti brothers get their start racing the Hudson Hornet? I remember as a young lad watching them racing at Mahoning Speedway near my house in PA. They were so competitive that they were not adverse to driving on the grassy bank in order to overtake slower cars. Impressionable youngster that I was, these memories remain with me.
Just when I was pretty confident I couldn’t hate anything more than the ‘rat rod’ concept, someone had to drag Ed Hardy into the mix. And just after I’ve eaten too. Pardon me while I throw up… :-P
Kind of makes me wonder how many clowns would get out of this car.
It screams ’60s from some poor kid who couldn’t afford something with less than 4doors, so make it unique with pinstripes. I love it. Make it roadworthy and drive it.
First of all, I like it. I wouldn’t buy it but I would look it over at a show. I hate going to a show and seeing a line of 15 or 20 of the same car done in the flavor of the day it gets boring. Its also hard to judge that many and be fair ( I feel like judging them as a group ). Variety is good. just saying