The 1950s were a big decade for the domestic auto manufacturing industry. The Big Three were ascendant, and the independents sought shelter through mergers. Kaiser and Willys danced in ’53, the American Motors (AMC) combo of Hudson and Nash followed in ’54, and the exalted Packard Motor Car Company selected Studebaker as its partner also in ’54. By 1957, AMC was focused on its Rambler brand, and separately badged Nash/Hudson models were discontinued. Today’s discovery, courtesy of T.J., is a 1957 Hudson Hornet Custom, one of the last produced and a rare bird. Beyond that, its condition is impeccable, so let’s give it a proper once-over. This stylish sedan is located in Springfield, Tennessee, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $18,500.
So, why select this car for a review?
- It’s a fallen flag
- It’s rare – only 4,100 Hornets assembled in ’57
- It’s in excellent survivor condition
- It possesses overt ’50s styling
- It’s green
The Hornet for ’57 was available in two-door “Hollywood” hardtop or four-door sedan body styles, covering two trim levels, Custom (our subject car) and Super. The seller’s body count of 1,256 appears to be correct for the Custom Four-door sedan. As for proof that this is one of only 35 in existence, that seems to be a stretch; Hudson Owners Club records or not. One would have to assume that every owner of a ’57 Hudson Hornet has registered their car with this club. Granted, the existing pool is likely a small volume. Unfortunately, the listing provides virtually no details regarding this car’s ownership (3+) or time here on Earth. It’s 89K recorded miles were clearly generated with care, and it seems this Hornet was gently used and properly stored. The finish, trim, and body panels are just excellent. I’m inclined to think a restoration occurred – this Hudson is that clean, but all the seller offers is, ” I have all the service receipts and (it) is in excellent condition.”
Powering this beauty is a 255 gross HP, new for ’57, AMC 327 CI V8 engine making the rear wheel connection via a “Flashaway Hydramatic” automatic transmission. The spotless condition of the engine room further reinforces my belief that a restoration has taken place. Unfortunately, no statement is made regarding this Hudson’s motivational capabilities. Interestingly, this 327 CI AMC engine has the exact bore and stroke combination (4″x3.25″) that a better-known powerplant of the same displacement would exhibit five years into the future.
Get a load of that interior! Can you imagine being greeted by such a splash of color today? The entire environment is in fabulous shape! The dash is simple, and the instrument panel is functional at best, but typical for cars of this class in the fifties. The inclusion of seatbelts would be welcomed, but that can be easily remedied by the next owner. No demerits warranted here!
When I think of a Hudson Hornet, it’s the bathtub, step-down vintage (’51-’53) that always comes to mind. Those that succeeded didn’t seem to get the same level of attention, with only the ’54 vintage posting fairly decent sales numbers. While the $18,500 price would be considered reasonable for some other 1957 marques in this stellar condition, a Hudson Hornet could be tricky. Sure, there’s a market, but I imagine it’s limited, wouldn’t you agree?
I saw the two-door Hollywood version of this car at a show one year and was immediately smitten – I really like the tri-tone paint job and the unique exterior trim molding they designed. Of course, this was the sad end of a storied brand that was formed in 1909. It was an attempt to compete with the Rambler (as well as the Henry J and Willys Aero) in the compact car market that ruined Hudson – the Jet (1953 & 1954) was their offering as a compact. It failed to catch on with the public and led to the merger with Nash-Kelvinator.
LOL #5….. good one 👍
This car has 3-tone paint…common then, unheard of now. The 327 has no relation to the ubiquitous Chevy mill..it’s all AMC. I love this car.
Unsure about the asking price, but a great way into the hobby, you won’t see another one, a good club behind it, and a very comfortable driver, 6 adults will fit easily. This engine was used for years thereafter by AMC, so parts are available. Body parts might be difficult to find though. Beautiful? In the eye of the beholder.
It’s a little 50s goofy, looks to be in great shape – and I love it. Would be great to show or drive in local parades. Hearkens back to simpler times, times that will never be again – and times I only heard about. Great car.
‘When I was a kid in the mid-60’s in SoCal there was a family up the block that had 3 of these Hudsons in their driveway. They were in excellent shape and I guess they were low mileage, being only about 7-8 years old at the time. The kids and the dad were thought a little “odd” as well as the cars (when everyone else had GM or Fords). They kept them for quite awhile before they moved away. Never heard what happened to them or the cars.
Admittedly this styling doesn’t fetch my interest a whole lot, but its condition and rarity would guarantee more conversation and camera shots at a Cars & Coffee than just about anything else there. My Bali Blue 504 does exactly that.
The final nail in Hudson’s coffin. From the 1954 update, it was a race to the bottom. A horrendous looking car. RIP
Springfield, TN.? Nope, the Simpsons are from Kentucky. In the eye of the beholder, indeed. It is pretty far out there, appears as if they emptied the parts bin in a last ditch effort. Didn’t see many Nash cars in Beer City, especially these, but what is interesting, is Rambler used many of this cars features later on. Look at the dash, no frills there. The classic 1,2,3,4 speedo, pure Rambler. Shows what a difference a year makes, I read, over 72,000 Ramblers were sold in 1958, and over half of them( 42,000) were the new American. The “I Like Ike” bumper sticker has got to go, nobody knows or cares who Ike was, except they barrel down “his” freeways at breakneck speeds blissfully unaware he was influential in building them.
I say it’s beautiful, 50s retro in every way AND,,,,,it’s an automatic,,,ta-da!
Loving AMC and Hudson…
As a former owner of Hudsons, I wish AMC had not used the Hudson name on these rebranded Nashes. Too bad Hudson lacked the funds to significantly redesign the 1954 model. The 1954 Hudson, in spite of some changes in appearance, was still too similar to the 1948 model and lacked a V8 motor.
I am impressed with the AMC 327 engine for 1957. 255 hp!
Tai Shan–It’s also too bad Hudson handicapped their new Jet, into which they invested their funds, into a shrunken down styling emulation of the ’52 Ford. To top it off, they then awkwardly raised the roofline because one of their Hudson dealers, after seeing the prototype Jet, complained he could not wear his fedora inside the car !
Now that you mention it, the Jet does appear as a truncated 1952 Ford!. I didn’t notice that back in the 1990’s when one of the older guys in the local chapter of the Hudson club had a mint condition 1953 Jet. I had a ride in that Jet, and I really liked that car even though the styling was rather plain.
In the early and mid -1950’s a lot of men were still wearing hats in public, so cars did need enough headroom for the hats.
Hudson would have been better off having an Italian firm design the Jet. Better yet, scrap the Jet project and instead design a cool looking station wagon to cash in on the mass exodus to the suburbs. But they probably thought of that and realized not enough funds for that project. They couldn’t even afford the cost of retooling in order to completely redesign the 1953 full size Hudsons. So either way, Hudson Motor Company was doomed.