This Hudson Hornet sedan was purchased by the seller in 2000 from the original owner’s estate. After many years of making improvements, the seller has reached his limit when it comes to working on vintage cars. Consequently, he’s advertising this ’54 on craigslist with an asking price of $9500. The car is located on Samish Island, Washington. Thanks to Barney for sending in the tip!
The Hornet was made from 1951 through 1954, when Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator to form AMC, and then through 1957 by the conglomerate. Its design extended Hudson’s “step down” concept, introduced in 1948, with the floorpan sunk around the chassis rails. A low center of gravity, easy ingress/egress, and new, modern styling were just a few advantages of Hudson’s innovation, but over time – as AMC discovered – updating the car’s look was nearly impossible given geometrical constraints. The Hornet was initially sold with Hudson’s 308 cu. in. in-line six, here with optional Twin-H Power, which amounts to two single-barrel Carter carbs decked with fancy air cleaners. Output quoted by the factory for 1954 was 170 hp, but the seller notes that this engine has a 262 cu. in. cylinder head installed. That’s gonna hike the compression ratio to give this mill a few extra ponies. The gearbox is a dual-range four-speed Hydra-Matic. A long list of repairs is listed, but these date back to 2000; I’d want to know what’s been completed in the more recent past. The car is said to run well.
The door jambs are showing off new windlace, but the seating surfaces could use renovation. The floors appear to have been painted with grey epoxy; the underside is moderately rusty with no serious incursions evident. The seller notes some rust and a few dents in the rear quarters. The tires were replaced, but in ’01 – time for new rubber!
If you yearn for the old NASCAR-style Hornet, ’54 was the last year to capture that look, and the four-door sedan is your value play. Very nice driver-quality sedans and even the two-door “Hollywood” sell for around $20k, but you’ll pay twice that for a convertible. I like this mechanically upkept Hudson, but cosmetic improvements will cost a pretty penny. What do you think, is this one a deal, or is a negotiation on the horizon?
I think it’s FABULOUS!
Well yes – at one time it was. Now it´s a disgrace. How anyone can abuse a car which is an American icon and let it deteriorate to this degree is shameful. From a wonderful vehicle, this has turned into a money pit.
Excellent write up! Would you look at that roofline! It is amazing, there is nothing style wise these days that holds a candle to this.
If you are looking for a distinctive ride and have some mechanical chops, here is your project. I think the price is spot on and it deserves to be preserved and restored.
By `54 the Hudson Hornet design was long in the tooth and tired. It was obvious the Co. didn’t have the $$ to keep up in any way with the Big 3. And it would be another year before they got any kind of OHV V8. But ride and dependability for the frugal of wallet did attract small loyal following.
Looks like a cartoon car from a children’s book. Definitely would prefer the two door or a convertible.
I have many of mile in the “step down” Hudsons. (More riding than driving) Uncle Smitty always had many in stock. (A fleet as it were) I love these old, well built beasts. And yes a 2 door would be cool. But I would also take a 4 door. BUT, the automatic transmission kills it for me. Also the rust is an issue.
Gotta love when sellers say “one owner” or, in this case “two-owner”.
Nobody cares how many owners it had if the vehicle itself is a mess. A lot of one owner cars have been abused or left to rot in a field or become mouse houses in a garage.
The owner count is mostly a worthless attribute when it comes to vehicle value.
Wonder if the owner mentions if it retains it’s original stinger!
neat but good luck finding a buyer for it. not a popular model.
These are good reliable cars, but for a car going on 72 yrs old it could be a lot worse, the automatic transmission and the twin carb option is an added plus even though not as nice as a two door it looks like it would not take a whole lot to do a few modifications and make this car road worthy, but ned to be appraised and checked out but its at the right price and affordable to someone looking for a relatively rare old car that is getting harder to find….