Has it been almost a year since we’ve shown a Hudson Hornet 4-door sedan? Well then, here’s a 1954 Hudson Hornet 4-door sedan to try to get back on track. This sleek, slick cruiser is listed on eBay with a current bid price of just over $3,000 and there is no reserve! It’s in Roslyn, New York.
1950s chrome exhaust tip: check. Flat black paint: check. Wide white walls: check. 1,200 pound chrome rear bumper: check.. This car looks fantastic to me and the seller says that it was restored a few years ago and is still in nice condition. I can’t argue with that.
1954 was the last year for the first-generation Hornet with the “step-down” design and they updated them a bit in 1953, losing the classic triangular grille piece and losing a lot of the sloping back that gave them a look of going fast while they were standing still. Hagerty lists a 1954 Hudson Hornet as having a value of $7,300 in #4 “fair” condition and $11,200 in #3 “good” condition. I wonder if having been repainted flat black that would hurt the value a bit?. 
In an odd twist for online ads (I wish), this is the only interior photo, but at least there’s one. The seller says that the interior is nice, so you’ll have to either check it out in person, pay for an inspection, or take their word for it. The rest of the car looks nice so I’d be inclined to believe them.
This 308 cubic-inch inline-six runs good according to the seller, and it has the famous Twin-H-Power twin-carbs and air cleaners. Those air cleaners can sometimes be missing on these cars and they certainly add a level of cool above a couple of little chrome Pep-Boys-like add-on air cleaners that some vehicles have. The car’s restoration must not have included restoring the engine but it looks clean under there. This engine has 10 more hp with the Twin-H-Power set up for a total of 170 hp. There was also a “7-X” version of this engine available which put out 210 hp, that’s an incredible amount of power for a six-cylinder, especially in 1954. This looks like it may have been a red car originally? A Hudson Hornet is on the wish list of a lot of people, are you one of them?
Lose the flat paint — hasn’t that gone out of style yet? — and throw on a set of hubcaps, and this is only a few minor details short of wonderful!
I’ve always had eyes for a Twin H-Power Hudson and, even though I prefer the styling on earlier models, I could get used to this.
At $3K it’s a bargain. I suppose it could go up toward the levels suggested by the Hagerty guide — which would dampen my enthusiasm a bit, but the next owner should get a lot of pleasure from this.
I never understood the flat paint thing. Is it cheaper? Hell I’m old but in the 50s 60s Flat meant primer until you had all the rust fixed and or could afford to paint it. Maybe these nitwits don’t like to wax and polish.
back in the day “Hot Rod Primer was the thing.
Flat paint was not unusual in the 50’s, My channeled, sprint car nosed, full load 302 GMC 34 street roadster was painted flat blue and m 40 FLAMED, raked, Hudson was black primered.
Money went into getting and keeping the car running…making it faster with add ons to engine or engine and trans/rear end/or gears swap, headers/exhaust, tires, better radio or 8 track…..interfaced with duties to a job and falling in love numerous times…all came before putting on a good paint job….Can of primer was a cheap quick fix taking a back seat to the necessities of life.
I noticed long ago at car shows….the cars that really were street driven and beat up looking from years of fun on street and strip… …is now the look guys are trying to recreate on fresh built cars…..Old race cars garner the attention of all at car shows…when left as is…..Hence… is why we are all looking at a category called……”BARNFINDS” Two different things…Is cool to be have been cool…it’s another thing trying to look cool….They are not the same.
Actually these days flat/matte paint is an expensive option on some cars, and motorcycles. just sayin
Some of us prefer to drive our cars, rather than fuss over the paint, or what people think of it.
They put wheels on it for a reason.
If it was painted with laquer, it just need to be wet sanded and buffed to shine it up.
You would have to have every bit of this car as finding parts would be nearly impossible?
First……this is a lovely car. I know little about Hudsons but they have always interested me because of there tremendous racing heritage. Big bulbous body that outran most comers in the early post war years. I do know there is a huge following for these cars and a club full of near rabid believers. As few parts as there might be, I am sure the group would be able to find most anything a person might need. The chrome on this one with the dark color is stunning. I would put a proper paint job on it and enjoy.
That’s a beautiful car just the way it is. Make sure it runs, goes and stops good and drive the heck out of it.
ENOUGH of the “tough guy” flat black baloney. Sheesh Back in the early eighties…….a kid who worked at a local art house at the beach had a beautiful ’53 or ’54……..always parked in front of the theatre…with the front seat down……so his girlfriend would take the hint. Step down baby!
I’m not generally a fan of the big 50’s sedans, but wow…I would love to dress up in full Ricky Ricardo bling attire and just drive this, windows rolled down, singing Babaloo at the top of my lungs!
I’m a drummer and Ricky Ricardo was pretty much the first introduction I had to Latin Percussion. Carlos Santana was second, but Latin Percussion is a very under-rated genre of excellent drumming & percussion sounds that one will never find in any other type of music genre. Ricardo was cool in my books because he was a first, and original, in the field of Latin Percussion that North America was exposed to via TV.
Bob
Needs Hellcat running gear.
I kinda like the flat black paint, when did it go out of style ?
It always looked to me like you were running around in primer, couldn’t afford to finnish the paint job.
@Dave; my feelings exactly.
It’s out of style when you take it to a body shop and spend big bucks to paint it flat….
It actually was the style because you could NOT afford a body shop paint job….but you could afford to slap on some bondo and sand it down, and take a can of gray or black primer….and paint the section.
Let’s see now….taking Angie out to a movie…dinner….and parking on the Old River Road in the fog and get her home by curfew..week after week…..or save the money for a paint job……Doh!
What paint job?
Love the satin black paint. Could use some different wheels though, maybe chrome reverse.
A beautiful car in its own rite. Who knew that in just 3 more short years the Hudson Legacy would be gone? You have to admire all the chrome on this last year true Hudson. It certainly is an automobile that you do not see everyday. Those Twin Power stacks are the absolute coolest. I can think of a few other six cylinders those would have looked good on. There is a museum that has a excellent example of a 1930’s Hudson Dealership. If you are ever in the area, stop in. I sure would.
http://ypsiautoheritage.org
There was a Hudson that visited my neighborhood regularly. It was 2 tone, light and dark green. I always picture Hudson’s in that beautiful combo.
Sharp !
I take exception to the use of the word “restored”. If it wasn’t returned to the exact condition it left the factory in, it wasn’t restored.
*EXACTLY* .
Restoration means : “AS NEW” and nothing else. it’s difficult to do so many mis use the word .
This is certainly a nice old Hudson but it’s nowhere near restored .
I’m surpried no one mentioned the excellent GM source Hydromatic transmission ~ these were a four speed box and worked very well indeed .
Hudson parts are not terribly hard to find .
-Nate
I would seriously bid on this if I hadn’t already spent my allowance on another car.
1. Remove the 60’s chopper “fish fin” exhaust tip (rack up your shin on it a couple of times and you’ll agree).
2. Install a nice set of period correct wheel covers.
3. Paint it a nice, shiny, complimentary color.
Then…. enjoy miles of smiles.
These cars always looked like the top was chopped. Many times, at shows, people would mistake my ’50 Packard for a Hudson. When I told them, “no, it’s a Packard”, they still didn’t know what it was. You know, all you hear about when you hear Hudson, is twin-H this and twin-H that, I wonder how popular an option that really was? Very nice car. Can’t go wrong here. The air cleaners alone are worth almost $500 today. ( I like shiny paint too)
Needs more front bumper guards. Seriously, trying to customize these wonderful early ’50s sled is kind of pointless.
In journalism school, they use the phrase “If your mother says she loves you, get a second source.” I’d want to see pics of the trunk, floors, and interior before writing a check.
And what did your second source say ?? :)
The reason the interior is not shown, is simple: It’s not original. The pic of the dash shows a small part of the front seats, and they are a split bench style, either black or dark brown, a type of seat Hudson never offered.
Remember the Hudson in “Driving Miss Daisy”? I’d like to see this one as a clone of that.
In 1952 the “Twin H-Power” version now standard equipment with dual single-barrel carburetors atop a dual-intake manifold, and power rose to 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS). The hood featured a functional scoop that ducts cold air to the carburetors and was considered “ventilation” in 1954, rather than ram air.[1] The engine could be tuned to produce 210 hp (157 kW) when equipped with the “7-X” modifications that Hudson introduced later.[6] During 1952 and 1953 the Hornet received minor cosmetic enhancements, and still closely resembled the Commodore of 1948.
Other brands had to use exaggerated artwork to make their cars look as sleek as a Hudson looked, standing right in front of you. Even with the fin-lets, what a bitchin ride! Once again, the too-bad-I-live-in-the-city alibi “saves” me from grabbing an awesome car for a steal.
An early ’50’s car, with overdrive, that will keep up on the Interstates, as would the 8, and, it would “corner” better than most of its era due to the very low center of gravity. But the sheet metal was very thin, compared to a GM, and they rusted out quickly in the salt belt. There are still quite a few left in CA. Jack Kerouac drove one coast to coast in “On the Road” in 5 or 6 days back in the late 40’s (drugs and sex included). Sort of like a Jaguar of the 50’s and ’60’s, a $12,000 engine in a $6,000 car. So if the body is good, and the underneath is good, a great car for a hobby, since you can drive it in comfort, and rely on it to get you there on time.
Not overdrive equipped .
-Nate
Every thing I would have suggested has already been said. Oh well. Great car, I hope someone does it justice.
Sold
Something wrong here. This car sold on ebay 2 weeks ago by a different seller in Richmond VA for $8700. Before that it was on Craigslist for $11,995. Seats were out of a 90’s Roadmaster
” And around and ’round it goes,,,,”
Still the largest American built (modern) 6 cylinder engine.
L head engines are not modern by the 1940’s…..
“overhead valves means ahead in value” .
-Nate
My relationship with the Hudson Hornet did not happen, but prior to my birth, a road trip, between Cape Town and Johannesburg made in the mid 1950s, by my father and his two brothers and 2 friends was in a Hudson Hornet.
On mostly narrow country, gravel and gated farm roads and prior to the construction of freeways, they averaged 150 km/hr, arriving in Johannesburg 1440 kms away, in just 10 hours.
The fact that they were “disturbed”, while using the “facilities” at the farm fence (after the bewitched 12 am that night), may have contributed to the speed travelled!
I was told that as they lined up at the fence, the waiting driver shouted at them that there was another “glowing person” standing with them…….
A tribute to the Firfirey brothers … whenever I travel in South Africa rural country on gravel roads, I think of them in that Hudson …
If it were only closer I would buy it in a heartbeat! I live in Australia….
I have a 54 Hudson Super wasp that I have been meaning to put on the road for many years but life keeps getting in my way. check out this link to a page that put a huge smile on my face. whats that on slide 19?.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g93/the-100-hottest-cars-of-all-time/?slide=1
Back in 60-60s and up…Old Man Rannings of South Mpls always had 3-4-5 big ol Hudsons in his back yard and in the garage. It was the most southern homes of Mpls and overlooked the “new” airport. It was the place for us boys to go and smoke some cigarettes or cigars we had lifted from our dads and grandpas. We looked those Hudsons over for years….Body style wise we called them “June Bug” cars as they looked in the shape of that insect. Now and then his boys would show them very proudly to the rest of us kids. Driven daily…These cars and the “Superman” TV show Nashes were futuristic back in the day…and the future back then changed quickly. I’m thinking road trip looking at this beast….left arm sticking out on the window sill…and smoking a big stogey, wearing a Clark Kent hat!
Yeah Ricky Ricardo was flat out cool! I wish he had taken out a restraining order on Lucy to keep her away from the club! I have the Ricky Ricardo album with Babaloo on it out in the garage….No record player to play on though…but…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAV3bOJaQuY
Matty Winspur raced one of these in drag racing he also ran a Jet with a 308 in it Mobuious Models makes a nice kit of the 54 Hudson coupe