As of late, I have been finding that the disappeared American auto brands like Packard, Nash, Hudson, and others capture my interest more and more. Today’s no-longer-with-us example is a 1954 Hudson Jet-Liner and it is of additional interest as ’54 was the last year that Hudson operated independently before merging with Nash to form American Motors. And this sharp two-toned resident of Richmond, Virginia still shows well so let’s examine it further. It’s available, here on eBay for a classified ad price of $19,495 and there is a make-an-offer option too.
So, what happened to Hudson was the result of competition and product evolution. Companies merge to protect their flanks and ultimately get swallowed up anyway. In this case, American Motors was the outcome and today, Stellantis’ Jeep brand is the last vestige of AMC. Unless you are of a certain age, it’s hard to imagine a time when virtually every car sold in the U.S. was a domestic brand.
The seller suggests that this Jet-liner was probably repainted in the past but it still presents well. It’s estimated that it sat for twenty years or more but it must have been satisfactory storage based on its current visual condition. The lines of this two-door sedan remind me of a ’54 Ford though the taillights are more similar to those found on a same-year Oldsmobile. The continental spare sorta works, it doesn’t jut out the way they did on some big domestics, (Mercury, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, etc) but I’d still prefer the look without it. Finally, there are several images of the underside included and this Jet-Liner is a solid car!
The big news is the Twin H-Power engine under the hood though this one isn’t the same as that used and made famous by the Hudson’s Hornet. It’s a smaller version, still an in-line six, but displacing 202 CI and grinding out 114 HP. This Hudson is considered a non-runner but the engine does turn over. The mileage is listed as 71K, so perhaps the powerplant is not worn out – a lot will depend on how it has been stored as well as its use in its earlier life. The transmission employed is a Hydramatic automatic gearbox.
The inside looks pretty clean, I’d say the carpet has been replaced but the attractive two-tone vinyl upholstery is still holding its own. And that goes for the dash and instrument panel too though the cast shiny bits are showing signs of tarnish and pitting – minor items really. I’d say the interior is fine as it is and needs no attention.
We cover mid-50s Hudsons periodically, and this is one of the nicest that I have come across yet. And being a Jet-Liner, it’s not a commonly encountered model, it was only offered in ’54 and is an upscale version of the Jet which was only available in ’53 and ’54. The unknowns of the engine are the only potential holdback, and maybe the price. Of course, there is always that make-an-offer option, right?
They call this “the car that killed Hudson.” I’ve heard that they were well-built, but that relatively narrow body and tall greenhouse just looks odd to me.
I’ve always heard it called Hudson Jet, not Jetliner. Recently read an article that the proportions were altered at the last minute because of meddling by AMC’s president, and the largest dealer. Won’t have to worry about seeing a bunch of them at a car show.
The “Jetliner” was the highest trim level Hudson Jet.
I don’t think AMC had anything to do with the Jet’s unfortunate styling. The car debuted in 1953, well before the merger with Nash that created AMC. (Though the Jet’s failure in the marketplace sealed Hudson’s fate.)
Hudson president A.E. Barit ignored the advice of company stylists and insisted the car be tall enough that men could wear their hats while driving. (This is actually a position I sympathize with. I don’t believe men should go hatless. But I digress…) Large Hudson dealer Jim Moran wanted the car to resemble the 1952 Ford.
If George Mason, who ran AMC, didn’t die in the 1950s, this company might still be around. Romney took over and did what he could.
Mason died in 1954 several months after the merger. Romney saved the company by consentrating on the Rambler and dropping the Nash and Hudson names after 1957.
If Ronald Reagan hadn’t talked Romney in getting into Michigan politics, AMC would be alive and well.
Was the interior redone? The red seats don’t quite match the red dash, etc. Almost looks maroon. Sweet and rare though.
Lotsa car for the price!
You’ll have to get rid of the continental kit, the car is just too narrow. That rear bumper looks like Bubba Blue’s lower lip. This car drew it’s looks from the big 3, a hodgepodge look if you will. This is a rarity, I don’t believe that I have even seen one, and if one went by me I probably wouldn’t have noticed it. This is a good looking car minus the continental kit ( I just hate them ). But I imagine that’s why they didn’t sell well in 1954, the skirts have to go as well. As a non runner I think 20 large is a bit much, still it’s a nice ride.
I agree. The car isn’t proportioned quite right to begin with (like a Wasp drawn by someone in a Metropolitan state of mind…) and that continental kit makes it look like it belongs in a Merry Melodies reel.
Nice looking example of a rare car. Hudson has to be my favorite independent in the postwar era, other than Packard. The Jet is cute from some angles, and ungainly from others. I always likened these to a 1952-54 Ford that had been left in the dryer too long!
One story I got about the Jet’s demise, was that getting rid of it was a condition of the Nash Hudson merger. Nash didn’t want it to cannibalize Rambler sales.
I’m a fan of orphan cars.
This one, in particular, stood out among the others ( Kaiser Mannhattan, Hudson Hornet, Packard Clipper, Chevrolet ….. ) who worked with taxis in my city.
Only he was small.
Cool Jet! I agree with a couple of other posters, it is great to see other marques and this would be a hit at cars and coffee. Also, it does look great from most angles and a little odd from a few but that just adds to the coolness.
Presidents and Big Dealers have been the result of some very monumental blunders.
There was a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking about why Hudson died. One theory was that the Jet cost about 15 million to tool up for and instread of developing a V8 Hudson deceided to build this vehicle.. The original design for this car was done by Hudson’s chief designer Frank Spring It was actually a well proportioned design . . It was submitted for production but upon seeing the final approved design and how it had been adulterated from his design, he quit. The 202 ci Jet engine actually soldiered on after the merger of Nash and Hudson . It powered the 1955 Wasp and was horribly under powered for that large a car.
Classy restoration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If any of you are ever travelling through northern Indiana, and the wife says she wants to stop in Shipshewana to do some shopping because of local crafts, I hope you sail on by. What the city government did there amounts to theft in my eyes. I wonder if this Jet came from that collection?
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2018/02/06/whats-next-for-the-hostetlers-hudson-museum-collection
https://journal.classiccars.com/2018/12/22/bittersweet-the-hostetler-hudson-museum-sale/
I checked the auction company’s website – they sold a Super Jet sedan from the Hostetler collection, not the featured car.
I’m more interested in the Lincoln and Cadillac in the background.
Of course you are.
Surprised to learn….Hudson cars dominated racing in the 1950’s, specifically the Hudson Hornet. But that didn’t help sales….which fell every year.
Until in 1954 they had to merge with Nash to stay afloat. Forging AMC.
Packard also acquired Studebaker in 1954, which eventually became
the downfall of the buyer, in this case…Packard.