One of the strong points the Hudson Hornet was known for is its good handling capabilities, with a low-to-the-ground design that also made it an excellent choice for the stock car racing circuit back in the day. But this 1953 Hudson Hornet here on eBay is sort of special too because of the particular time period in which it was produced, as the following year saw the merger between the company and Nash-Kelvinator, resulting in American Motors Corporation being formed followed by the Hudson name, which had been around since 1909, being dropped altogether just 3 years later. This one’s in Littleton, Colorado, and it seems like a fun and capable driver, with bidding only up to $10,100 so far. Or you can choose the buy-it-now option and make it yours right now for $31,500.
For a fifties design, there’s really not a whole lot not to like about the Hornet especially if you enjoy a tall and bulky look on the outside. But the windows are rather short, resulting in a cool contrast that emphasizes the metal, and with no rear wheel openings this combo seems to make the body look like it goes on forever. The seller tells us his car is a mostly original example with just one repaint, although it must have been a while ago as there are some chips here and there plus a few small dings, but overall I’m finding the finish more than satisfying for a driver and would probably just focus on preserving the exterior the way it is for as long as possible.
The Hornet featured what was known as a “step-down” design, with a low floor pan which helped make those low windows more feasible. Quite a bit of the interior here is said to be original, including the seats which are in reasonably decent shape with a small tear on the driver’s side and a coffee stain in the rear. Two items that have been replaced are the carpet and headliner, but to be 70 years old the instruments appear to be in good shape and I really like the dash layout, with that round speedometer and unusual numbering along with the similar clock on the opposite side.
Twin-H power can be found under the hood here, featuring a pair of Carter carbs that made the already mighty straight-six even stronger than those equipped with a single 2-barrel, with the seller telling us that the motor is running well. With seven decades of use, I’m sure it’s gotten quite a bit of maintenance over the years, but with only 57,000 miles there’s always the possibility the innards have not yet been overhauled. This one seems about as nice as I’d expect for an unrestored example, and while it’s not perfect I’m failing to see much that would make me want to rush into improving anything here. What are your thoughts?
A legendary American icon in racing of the era. Any folks that showed up at any of the car shows in these parts would generally have the opposite to talk with another legendary American icon who really appreciated these-Richard Mann.
This one would’ve really caught his eye. It’s a sweetheart!
..would have had the *opportunity* to talk..
One I always wanted but never did. Knew a fella with one in light green with the same roof color. I drove it several times and loved it.
In my group in the 50s Hudsons, Studebakers and Nashs weren’t cool (strangely Willys were). Now Hudsons and Studebakers are for those of us that are still around and spending mind time thinking back about cars we liked (Nashs haven’t made it out of the pit yet). Yup, I would be happy with this Hudson, now a “nice car n cool ride”.
Nash made some nicely styled postwar cars but, you’re right. For some reason they have never really caught on. Maybe too few of them. Same with Kaisers.
And Studebakers up to about 1954; that’s when they stopped building good cars. The Lark may have put-off their demise a few years but it was a turd.
An old guy around my parts had a black ’53 Hornet. I always told him, if he ever wants to part with it, let me know. I never got his number, and one day, he wasn’t around. Never did find out what happened. These were gorgeous cars. They looked custom, right out of the showroom.
They are great cars! I have two of them. They stop fairly well but my Coupe has disk brakes on the front and I feel safer with those.
Both of them also have A/C which has been added on. I had the original radio in each one blue tooth out. The dash come set up with two speakers and put two I. The package tray.
My Hornet special has a 7x engine with Elbrock 4 barrel, headers, dual exhaust, high compression head. It has no problems keeping up with traffic. Buy now a little high but a good Hudson is hard to find.
BIN seems high. See where bidding goes.
The writer said these had a “tall and bulky look.” I always thought the Hornet was sleek and sexy for it’s time. I would save “tall and bulky” to describe the ’58 Chevy.
“tall and bulky”??? As a Hudson fan and longtime owner I have to object- compare it to any other domestic offering in 1953, let alone 1948 when the Stepdown was introduced
Yeah, I had the same reaction. The whole thing that made these “Step-downs” so advanced was the low center of mass and lower overall height that made them exceptional handlers for their time. They looked chopped, right out of the factory!
Back in The Old Daze—I was there—the step-down design was pretty radical, something the Big Three would never have tried. Many Hudsons were owned by engineers, who appreciated their unique features and advantages. Too bad Hudson never had the financial resources to develop a second generation of the car with a better engine, etc. Also too bad they had to get into bed with a refrigerator maker.
Frank–why do you say that about Kelvinator? Just curious.
Great car . I hope that the new owner if not already a member, joins the HET club. Great people that will assist in keeping these great cars on the road.
Hey Nevadahalfrack! I like the wheels on your Ford P-U!
My uncle was a Hudson freak so I have many miles in and driving one of these. They have a very unique and pleasurable driving experience that I really like. (I also like the way XKEs andnXJ6s drive) I had a 1947 Club Coupe, but it did not drive and handle like these “step down” models.
Thank you-they’re a very unique wheel, but I’ll bet you know that and why.
Insofar as your uncles Hudson’s, you’re a lucky one to have had the experience! Some folks never come to appreciate the difference of then and now as they’ve not been in a rig older than they are..
My Hudsons have always given a great ride and you can go as fast as you want even in todays traffic. A great car that was way ahead of contemperay vehicles in terms of build quality and handling. Whoever gets this car will have a great ride.
I agree, these had the chopped top right from the factory. To be clear, and not to take anything away from Hudsons racing history, it was short lived and the lower stance was only part of it. They had the best drivers, and quite frankly, once the Rocket 88 V8 came out, it was history for Hudson. The Chrysler hemi sealed the deal, and Hudson faded pretty quick. That aside, it was a heck of a finale for Hudson, that had a history of great vehicles, many features making it into Ramblers. For all practical purposes, with all the great cars involved, ( Nash, Packard, Hudson, Studebaker ) Rambler should have been the best choice, and for folks like me and my family, it was.
My first car was a 48 Super Six. Loved that car! The front end lost to the rear of a school bus. Sigh…..
Howard, hate to rain on your parade but you have it backwards. The Olds 88 could not touch the Hudson . If you look at the Nascar and AAA racing records it was Hudson winning about every race. In fact a couple of Olds drivers came over to Hudson.. I do agree that when Kiekaffer got Chrysler into Nascar racing it was over for Hudson. Chrysler crowed about how their new 8cyl hemi dominated Nascar. Yeah they crowed about adding 2 more cylinders to beat an inline 6. LOL.
Thanks, Lance, you do agree that the V8 spelled doom for Hudson. I read, it was the 2nd generation Olds V8 in 1953 that really killed Hudson. For the record, in 1949, Olds V8s won 5 of the 8 races, in 1950, 11 of 19, so they certainly made a statement.
Obviously someone wanted it bad enough to pay the BIN price of $31,500 because on Ebay it says sold for $31,500.