Stunning. There’s probably no better word to describe this 1951 Hudson Hornet Convertible Brougham. Not only does every aspect of this classic present superbly, but it is a model that the company built in very limited numbers. This vehicle has just emerged from a private collection, and the owner has decided that the time is right to part with this classic. It is located in Carmel, California, and has been listed for sale here at Bonhams. It is set to go under the hammer on August 13th, and the owner is offering the Hornet with No Reserve. However, the auction estimate is between $80,000 and $120,000.
Finished in Torro Red with a Black soft-top, this Hudson is a fantastic classic. When you look across every aspect of this vehicle, it becomes apparent that it is the product of an owner who has treated the car with respect. The paint shines beautifully, with no visible faults or defects. The seller says that a thorough refurbishment has been performed at some point, but by whom and when is unknown. The panels are laser straight, while the gaps are the tightest and most consistent that I’ve seen in a Hudson of this age. The seller doesn’t mention any rust problems, and none are visible in the impressive collection of supplied photos. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee that nothing is lurking below decks, although the lack of visible surface corrosion in areas like the engine bay gives us cause to be quietly optimistic. The exterior trim is a combination of stainless and chrome pieces, and these appear to be flawless and shine as amazingly as the rest of the exterior.
If the exterior presents well enough to take your breath away, the engine bay offers more of the same. The car features Hudson’s incredible 308ci flathead six-cylinder engine that produced 145hp when the vehicle rolled off the showroom floor. The original owner chose to equip the car with a Dual-Range Hydramatic transmission, and this combination would’ve been sufficient to propel the 4.063lb Hornet through the ¼ mile in 21 seconds. However, this engine no longer wears its original carburetor, but someone has equipped it with the legendary Twin H-Power carburetors. Hudson didn’t offer this option in the Hornet range until 1952, but owners could access the system as a dealer-fitted option from November of 1951. It isn’t clear if this was when our feature car scored this option or if someone added it later. The seller claims a power output of 160hp, which puts it slap-bang between the standard engine of 1951 and the upgraded offering of 1952. The seller provides no information on how well this classic runs or drives, but the news should be pretty positive if appearances count for anything.
When you look at the interiors of today’s new cars, it seems that you can have them trimmed in almost any color as long as it is a shade of gray. Manufacturers will introduce new features and options to make their offerings more attractive to potential buyers, but they walk a fine line where they need to produce trim that is as inoffensive as possible. There are a few notable exceptions, but you only have to wander into a new car dealership today to gain an insight into this trend. In 1951, manufacturers were bold and daring, and interiors like the one in our feature car demonstrate this sense of adventure. This car offers its next owner rich red leather that looks supple and inviting. It shows no wear or flaws, while the maroon carpet is equally as impressive. The dash continues the theme with more rich leather and lashings of chrome trim. You can’t help but think that anyone who traveled in this classic would feel like royalty or a celebrity. That exposes the other gaping difference between cars of this era and those you can drive off the showroom floor today. Modern cars are better-equipped, generally (although not always) more comfortable, and are safer. However, cars like this Hornet manage to transform every journey into a special occasion. They offer the occupants that rare feeling that they are special and unique and that the company feels that they should recognize this by cocooning them within the most lavish interior imaginable. While this car isn’t loaded with optional extras, the power windows and original pushbutton radio add the perfect finishing touches for potential occupants.
Automotive history can be fickle, and the 1951 Hudson Hornet Convertible Brougham demonstrates this fact. It is hard to believe that a manufacturer capable of producing a car like this in 1951 could find itself bleeding money by 1953. In 1954 the jig was up, and Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator to form American Motors Corporation. By 1957, the company that produced this classic had been consigned to the pages of history as the final Hudson rolled off the production line. If this car hits its auction estimate, and I can’t see why it won’t, it will not be the cheapest classic we will see here at Barn Finds. However, while Hudson produced 43,666 examples of the Hornet during the 1951 model year, a mere 551 were the Convertible Brougham derivative. That makes this a rare car, and it helps explain why its potential value is significantly higher than you may expect to see for other vehicles within the Hornet range. Of course, with No Reserve to consider, there’s always the chance that it could go for peanuts when the hammer falls. Is that thought enough to tempt you to submit a bid on this beauty?
Beautiful car! If it checks out okay it looks like it would be fun to drive and show up at auto shows with probably the only Hudson, much less anything close to the same car. Never had the chance to drive one but have heard from those who drove them say they were better than the Cadillacs of the day much less the average car.
Wow! This is the time I wish I had Wayne Carini’s money. Nice ride remember my late father talking about the hornets when I was a kid. Love to have this to get coffee with.
A friend of mine has one of these in virtually original, patina’d condition. It draws crouds around it at every car show he attends. Just a cool ride.
A stunner, and power windows too! Great car
I got to ride in this car many years ago. It is even more impressive in person especially when you can smell the leather seats and cloth top. It is a sensual rush.
I got to ride in this car many years ago. It is even more impressive in person Sitting inside and smelling the leather seats and cloth top is a sensual rush.
This is the most Fabulous Hudson Hornet of all the Fabulous Hudson Hornets.
I would put in a Toyota 4 cam V8 with a super charger, 6 sp auto trans and lowered suspension.
Why on earth?
And ruin it
That’s why so many beautiful car a ruined, please leave it alone and enjoy a great automobile
Why not make it a low rider while you’re at it?
Stepdown design….already low riding!
Then you,d destroy the value, and it would no longer be important to true classic,s lovers.
That was sarcasm Bob.
You would butcher this beauty? Shame on you and I mean SHAME!
Wow! This is one incredible car.
When I was a kid in the late 50’s and early 70’s my granddad owned a 1956 Hudson Hornet Special. He passed it down to my dad and he owned it for several years, trading it for a 1962 Impala. Long ago, but I remember so much about it. I don’t remember it ever failing to start or get us there and back wherever ‘there’ was.
Unfortunately Bamapoppy a 1956 Hudson was really a Nash. The only Hudson part it may of had was if it had the 308 6 cyl engine. That’s why they called them a Hash. A truly ugly car. It was a shame to put a Hudson badge on them. The convertible in the article has been on sale for over 2 years with no takers, I guess that’s why it going to auction.
With a low center of gravity, and a reasonably powerful engine for its day, it went around corners better than anything else made in the USA by the Big Three at the time. But as a teenager in the 1950’s I was put off by the big piece of painted sheet metal above the windshield. I have gotten used to it, and would love to have this car. A great road trip car. In the Northeast they rusted terribly, which is partially why there are so few left. My neighbor who had taped over the holes and painted them the body color complained that the sheet metal was much thinner than on his ’40 Ford.
Charlie, the reason for the ‘big piece of painted sheet metal above the windshield’ is because Hudson never made a convertible in this model, they were all coupes with the roof cut off, there was no reinforcing above the w/shield so they had to leave a sufficient frame to keep the body stiff enough.
Thanks, makes sense.
Myself, a 7x equipped Hollywood Coupe would be my preference. When Jake Gittes drive up in the long delayed “Two Jakes’, my Hudson dream was realized.
Trust me these cars drive incredibly well. I own a 51 Hornet convert and the biggest problem with driving them is watching out for others drivers looking at you instead of the road. Great road cars . Hope it makes someone happy with the purchase.
Excellent article as always, Mate. Those step-down Hudson’s were gorgeous and what an amazingly beautiful interior. The attention to detail and craftsmanship of that era is mind blowing. Why would you ever want to get out of the car?
Really nice to see lots of positive comments and, for a welcome change, no disparaging questions/comments about “numbers matching” or “original miles.” An absolutely beautiful automobile.
Americana at its finest and in the 50´s Americana was SOMETHING!
Charlie, the reason for the ‘big piece of painted sheet metal above the windshield’ is because Hudson never made a convertible in this model, they were all coupes with the roof cut off, there was no reinforcing above the w/shield so they had to leave a sufficient frame to keep the body stiff enough.
Sorry about the ‘double up’ message guys.
Brad, with all due respect I own one of these and this is not correct information. Body stiffening was done through the perimeter frame where it had an additional internal steel bracing to make up for the lack of a roof supporting the body. These cars were just not pulled off the assembly line and modified.
Thanks for that Lance, I was led to believe they were a modified coupe body but that was years ago, I always liked the body shape on them and would have loved to own one but ended up with a ’62 Imperial 2 door in 2007, still not your ‘run of the mill’ car but it’s an ‘in your face’ car in Australia and I love it!
Sorry about the double comment guys, sh-t I’m getting too old for this stuff!
There are few cars where driving one is a totally unique experience. And when I say that, I mean it in a positive way. One is a Jaguar XKE and another is a step down Hudson. Now neither is like the other, but the feel, the steering and the ride are all unique to these vehicles. They are a pleasure to drive AND to ride in. If you ever get the chance to ride/drive one, DO IT! You will not be sorry.
Brad, with all due respect I own one of these and this is not correct information. Body stiffening was done through the perimeter frame where it had an additional internal steel bracing to make up for the lack of a roof supporting the body. These cars were just not pulled off the assembly line and modified.