Second generation

Second generation
Overview
Production - 1955-1957
Assembly - Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Body and chassis
Body style - 4-door sedan / 2-door hardtop
Powertrain
Engine - 308 cu in (5.0 L) I6 / 320 cu in (5.2 L) Packard V8 (1955-early-56) / 250 cu in (4.1 L) AMC V8 (late-56) / 327 cu in (5.4 L) AMC V8 (1957)
Transmission - 3-speed manual / 3-speed manual with overdrive / Hydramatic automatic with I6 / Ultramatic automatic with V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase - 121.25 in (3,080 mm) / 1956 Special: 114.25 in (2,902 mm)
Length - 209 in (5,309 mm) / 1956 Special: 202 in (5,131 mm)
Width - 78 in (1,981 mm)
Height - 60 in (1,524 mm)
Curb weight - I6: 3,495 lb (1,585 kg) / V8 Hornet Special: 3,467 lb (1,573 kg)

In its final three model years, the Hornet became a product of the newly-formed American Motors Corporation (AMC). Following the 1954 merger of the Hudson Motor Car Company and Nash-Kelvinator, Hudson's Detroit manufacturing facility was closed and the production of Hudson models was shifted to Nash's Wisconsin factory. No longer built on the "Step-down" platform, all Hornets were now based on the senior Nash models, but featuring distinctive Hudson styling themes.
1955
The 1955 Hudson senior models were built on the Nash platform with styling themes by Pinin Farina, Edmund Anderson, and Frank Spring. The cars featured a front end that was originally designed by Spring and the Hudson stylists for an updated 1955 version of the 1954 Hudson "Step-Down" platform.
The new models were delayed to a January 1955 introduction, "as American Motors engineers work out the problem of making two completely different looking automobiles with identical body shells".
As the first entirely new car from American Motors, the 1955 Hudson emerged conservatively styled compared to the competition. The 1955 Hornet was the cleanest model with a broad egg-crate grille and distinctive two-toning. Sedan and hardtop body styles were offered, but the coupe and convertible were no longer available. The 1955 Hornets shared the styling with the new Wasps, but featured a longer 121.25 in (3,080 mm) wheelbase.
The 308 cu in (5.0 L) straight-six engine continued in 160 bhp (119 kW) or 170 bhp (127 kW) versions. For the first time, the Hornet could be ordered with a Packard-built 320 cu in (5.2 L) V8 engine producing 208 bhp (155 kW) and Packard's Ultramatic automatic transmission. The rear suspension now incorporated a torque tube system for the driveshaft and coil spring rear suspension along with front springs that are twice as long as most other cars.
Along with Nash, the new Hudsons had the widest front seats in the industry. Two trim levels were available, Super and Custom, with the Custom series including a continental tire carrier, a 16 in (406 mm) "table-like" center armrest for the rear seat, a padded dashboard, transparent sun visors, and an over the windshield interior package net.
The Weather Eye heating and ventilation with an optional air conditioning system were highly rated in terms of efficiency. The integrated placement of major air conditioning systems under the hood and the price of only $395 (about half the cost as on other cars) also won praise. Automotive journalist Floyd Clymer rated the Hudson Hornet as the safest car built in the United States because of (1) the single unit welded body, (2) high-quality braking system with an added mechanical backup system, (3) roadability, general handling, and maneuverability; as well as (4) excellent acceleration and power for emergency situations.
Marketing efforts included incentives such as the "Dealer Volume Investment Fund" and "Sun Valley Sweepstakes" targeting salespeople as well as a contest for the general public with the possibility of new cars and trips to Disneyland as top prizes. Production for the 1955 model year totaled 10,010 four-door sedans and 3,324 Hollywood two-door hardtops.
1956
For the 1956 model year, AMC executives decided to give the Hornet more character and the design for the vehicles was given over to designer Richard Arbib, who provided the Hornet and Wasp with one of the more distinctive looks in the 1950s which he called "V-Line Styling". Taking the traditional Hudson tri-angle, Arbib applied its "V" form in every conceivable manner across the interior and exterior of the car. Combined with tri-tone paint combinations, Hudson's look was unique and immediately noticeable.
The legendary 308 cu in (5.0 L) straight-six engine, with and without Twin-H Power, was offered and gained 5 hp (4 kW) for 1956. However, Packard's V8 engine was available only during the first half of 1956. In the mid-model year, the Hornet Special was introduced featuring a lower price and AMC's new 250 cu in (4.1 L) 190 hp (142 kW) V8 engine. The Hornet Special models were built on a 7-inch (178 mm) shorter and slightly lighter Statesman/Wasp four-door sedan and two-door hardtop platform with Hornet trim.
The 1956 design failed to excite buyers and Hudson Hornet sales decreased to 8,152 units, of which 6,512 were four-door sedans and 1,640 Hollywood two-door hardtops.
1957
In 1957, the historic Hudson name came only in a Hornet model in either "Super" and "Custom" trims available in a four-door sedan or a two-door "Hollywood" hardtop body styles. For the second year, the V-Line styling featured an enormous egg-crate grille, creases and chrome strips on the body sides, and was available in one of five tri-tone schemes for the Custom models. There was more ornamentation to the cars, including fender "finettes" atop the rounded rear quarter panels for 1957, along with unusual "twin-fin" trim on top of both front fenders.
The price was reduced and the power was increased by way of AMC's new 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8 that was rated at 255 hp (190 kW) with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts.
Prompted by Automobile Manufacturer Association ban on factory-supported racing beginning in 1957, production of Hudson Hornet ended on 25 June 1957, at which time the Hudson brand name with its racing heritage was discontinued and all American Motors Corporation automobiles were then marketed as being made by "Rambler" Division. Total production of 1957 Hornets was 4,108, split between 3,359 sedans and 749 Hollywood Hardtops.
Foreign markets
The Hudson Hornet was sold in foreign markets, either exported as complete cars or locally built from knock-down kits.
Australia
The Hornet was introduced to the Australian market in 1955.
Canada
Canadian assembly of Hudson vehicles commenced in 1932 by Hudson Motors of Canada in Tilbury, Ontario. World War II interrupted operations and production ceased in 1941. Post-war operations resumed in 1950, with Hudsons being assembled by CHATCO Steel Products in Tilbury, Ontario. Operations in Tilbury ceased permanently in 1954 following the formation of American Motors Corporation. As a result of the merger, Toronto-based Nash Motors of Canada Ltd. became American Motors (Canada) Ltd. and all subsequent Hudson, Nash, and Rambler assembly operations continued in Toronto.
New Zealand
Hudson vehicles were imported into New Zealand from 1912 and eventually locally assembled from knock-down kits from 1919.
From 1935, Hudson and other marques were assembled by Christchurch company Motor Assemblies Limited. Production ended when Standard-Triumph International acquired the company in 1954. From 1954 the Hudson Hornet was built in New Zealand by Auckland company VW Motors as a secondary line to the Volkswagens they assembled. AMC's subsequent Rambler models were assembled thereafter at VW Motors' new plant in Otahuhu, Auckland from 1958 until 1962. AMC formed an agreement in 1963 with Campbell Motor Industries (CMI) of Thames to assemble Ramblers, production of which ran from 1964 until 1971.
South Africa
Hudson vehicles were assembled in South Africa beginning in the 1920s by Stanley Motors at their plant, National Motor Assemblers (NMA), in Natalspruit (Gauteng). The Hudson Hornet was assembled in right-hand-drive from knock-down kits sourced from Canada. After the Hudson and Nash merger, NMA continued to assemble AMC's new Ramblers until 1967, although the 1957 Rambler was instead marketed in South Africa as the "Hudson 108".
United Kingdom
Hudsons were introduced to the United Kingdom in 1911 and eventually, a factory was built where Hudson (and Essex) vehicles were locally assembled from 1927. The British company was renamed Hudson Motors Ltd. in 1932.
The Hudson Hornet was assembled in right-hand-drive for the U.K. market and other European countries. Following the demise of the Hudson marque, the British company was renamed Rambler Motors (A.M.C.) Limited in 1966 and continued to import AMC vehicles through the 1970s.
Legacy
The 1951 Hudson Hornet was selected as the "Car of the Year" in a book profiling seventy-five years of noteworthy automobiles by automotive journalist Henry Bolles Lent.
The Disney/Pixar film Cars and several spin-off video games featured a 1951 Hornet named Doc Hudson, a retired Piston Cup champion who raced as the "Fabulous Hudson Hornet". He was voiced by Paul Newman, who was an avid auto-racing enthusiast. The Piston Cup is the Cars franchise's version of the Winston Cup Series, which changed names several times since its inception.
The Hudson Hornet was well known for being seen in games such as Driver: San Francisco, Forza Horizon 4, and Forza Motorsport 4 as a part of the July Car Pack.
Revivals of Hornet model name
For the 1970 model year, American Motors resurrected the Hornet name for their new compact car that replaced the Rambler American (see AMC Hornet).
In 2006, a small, front-wheel-drive concept car called Hornet was designed and developed by Dodge.
For the 2023 model year, Stellantis resurrected the Hornet name for their new SUV, a version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale marketed in the U.S. under the Dodge brand.
Notable owners
Steve McQueen - 1953 Twin-H powered sedan finished in green color combination
A. E. Barit - 1951 Hornet converted by Derham into a limousine with updates in both 1952 and 1953 to make it look like then-current models
Victor Haydon - referenced in the song Pena from Trout Mask Replica
Collectability
First-generation Hudson Hornets are legendary for their NASCAR racing history and Jay Leno lists the 1951-1954 models as one of the "top ten of America's most collectible cars". "One of the great postwar landmarks - a true champion" gives it a big edge in collector appeal. Richard M. Langworth describes the first-generation Hornets in his book Complete Book of Collectible Cars: 70 Years of Blue Chip Auto Investments as "the most remembered Hudson of the postwar years, one of the industry's all-time greats". For example, prices on the Club Coupes, the body style used by the winning NASCAR drivers, have greatly appreciated in the last several years where several nicely restored examples have broken the $75K barrier in several cases. The convertible versions have also increased in value with a restored 1953 bringing $150,000 in 2013.

1957 Hudson Hornet V8 Super Hollywood Hardtop
1955 Hudson Hornet Custom four-door sedan
1955 Hudson Hornet Custom four-door sedan
1956 Hudson Hornet Custom Four-Door Sedan
1957 Hudson Hornet Custom Sedan
1955 Hudson Hornet (Australia)
1957 Hudson Hornet, assembled in New Zealand
1957 Hudson Hornet (South Africa)
Hudson Hornet 51 created as a prototype for the film Cars
1951 Hudson Hornet Limousine

wikipedia.org (en)

Второе поколение

Второе поколение
Производитель - American Motors Corporation
Годы производства - 1955-1957
Заводы - Кеноша, штат Висконсин, США
Тип кузова - 4‑дв. седан . 2‑дв. хардтоп
Колёсная база - 121,25 дюйма (3080 мм)
Длина - 209 дюймов (5309 мм)
Ширина - 78 дюймов (1981 мм)
Высота - 60 дюймов (1524 мм)
Масса - 3495 фунтов (1585 кг) (I6)

В свой последний модельный год Hornet стал продуктом новообразованной American Motors Corporation (AMC). После слияния в 1954 Hudson Motor Car Company и Nash-Kelvinator в единую компанию, производство автомобилей в Детройте прекратилось и было перенесено на заводы Nash в штат Висконсин. Все новые автомобили отныне базировались на платформе Nash с отличительными эмблемами Hudson.
1955
Новая модель была введена в январе 1955 года из-за проблем инженеров AMC с разработкой «двух совершенно разных машин на одинаковой платформе».
Полностью новый Hornet 1955 года имел консервативный дизайн по сравнению с конкурентами. Автомобиль отныне предлагался только с кузовами седан и хардтоп. Hornet оснащался 320-кубовым (5,2 л) V8-двигателем Packard мощностью 208 л. с. (155 кВт) и автоматической трансмиссией Ultramatic. Задняя подвеска имела трубчатую систему для карданного вала, а также удлинённые передние пружины.
Наряду с моделями Nash, новые Hudson имели широкие передние сидения, эффективную и экономичную систему кондиционирования Weather Eye, устанавливающуюся под капотом со стоимостью $395. Автомобильный журналист Флойд Клаймер (Floyd Clymer) отзывался о Hudson Hornet как о самом безопасном американском автомобиле из-за сварного кузова, высокоэффективной тормозной системы, хорошей управляемости и манёвренности.
1956
Для 1956 модельного года руководство AMC решило обновить Hornet, для чего был приглашён дизайнер Ричард Арбиб (Richard Arbib). Дизайн новых Hornet и Wasp был назван им «V-Line Styling», так как использовал форму «V» в оформлении интерьера и экстерьера; в сочетании с трёхцветной комбинацией автомобиль был заметным и уникальным. Однако это не помогло предотвратить резкое падение продаж с 13,130 до 8152 машин в 1956 году.
1957
В 1957 году Hornet имел версии «Super» и «Custom» и предлагался только с кузовами 4-дверный седан и 2-дверный хардтоп «Hollywood». В этом году отличительными особенностями «V-Line Styling» стали «яйцеподобное» оформление радиаторной решётки, хромированные боковые молдинги и пять трёхцветных вариантов окраски для моделей «Custom». Несмотря на снижение цены и увеличение мощности (двигатель AMC объёмом 327 куб. дюймов (5,4 л) мощностью 255 л. с. (190 кВт), продажи продолжали снижаться, упав до 3108 единиц.
В итоге, производство модели Hornet было прекращено 25 июня 1957 года. В этом же году окончательно упраздняется торговая марка Hudson и все автомобили AMC получают индекс «Rambler».
Наследие
Hudson Hornet 1951 года получил статус «автомобиля года» в книге «Seventy-five years of noteworthy automobiles» автомобильного журналиста Генри Боллза Лента (Henry Bolles Lent).
Для 1970 модельного года, AMC возродила индекс «Hornet» для своего нового компактного автомобиля, пришедшего на смену Rambler American - AMC Hornet.
В 2006 году был разработан небольшой переднеприводной концепт-кар - Dodge Hornet.
Hudson Hornet является одним из персонажей анимационного фильма «Тачки» производства студии Disney Pixar, а также присутствует в нескольких компьютерных играх по его мотивам.
Автомобиль Hudson Hornet доступен для покупки и езды в игре Driver: San Francisco.

Hudson Wasp - менее дорогая и менее мощная версия Hornet.

2-дверный хардтоп Hudson Hornet Hollywood второго поколения (1957 год)

wikipedia.org (ru)

Друге покоління
У свій останній модельний рік Hornet став продуктом новоствореної American Motors Corporation (AMC). Після злиття в 1954 Hudson Motor Car Company і Nash-Kelvinator в єдину компанію, виробництво автомобілів в Детройті припинилося і було перенесено на заводи Nash в штат Вісконсін. Всі нові автомобілі відтепер базувалися на платформі Nash з емблемами Hudson.
1955
Нова модель була введена в січні 1955 року внаслідок проблем інженерів AMC з розробкою «двох геть різних машин на однаковій платформі».
Геть новий Hornet 1955 року мав консервативний дизайн в порівнянні з конкурентами. Автомобіль відтепер пропонувався тільки з кузовами седан і хардтоп. Hornet оснащувався 320-кубовим (5,2 л) V8-двигуном Packard потужністю 208 л. с. (155 кВт) і автоматичною трансмісією Ultramatic. Задня підвіска мала трубчасту систему для карданного валу, а також подовжені передні пружини.
Разом з моделями Неш, нові Hudson мали широкі передні сидіння, ефективну і економічну систему кондиціонування Weather Eye, з вартістю $395. Автомобільний журналіст Флойд Клаймер (Floyd Clymer) відгукувався про Hudson Hornet як про найбезпечніший американський автомобіль внаслідок зварного кузова, високоефективної гальмівної системи, хорошої керованості і маневреності.
1956
Для 1956 модельного року керівництво AMC вирішило оновити Hornet, для чого був запрошений дизайнер Річард Арбіб (Richard Arbib). Дизайн нових Hornet і Wasp був названий ним «V-Line Styling», оскільки використовував форму «V» в оформленні інтер'єру і екстрьеру; в поєднанні з триколірною комбінацією автомобіль був помітним і унікальним. Однак це не допомогло запобігти різкому падінню продажів з 13,130 до 8152 машин в 1956 році.
1957
У 1957 році Hornet мав версії «Super» і «Custom» і пропонувався тільки з кузовами 4-дверний седан і 2-дверний хардтоп «Hollywood». В цьому році відмітними особливостями «V-Line Styling» сталі «яйцеподібне» оформлення решітки радіатора, хромовані бічні молдинги і п'ять триколірних варіантів забарвлення для моделей «Custom». Незважаючи на зниження ціни і збільшення потужності (двигун AMC об'ємом 327 куб. дюймів (5,4 л) потужністю 255 к. с. (190 кВт), продажі продовжували знижуватися, впавши до 3108 одиниць.
У підсумку, виробництво моделі Hornet було припинено 25 червня 1957 року. У цьому ж році остаточно скасовується торгова марка Hudson і всі автомобілі AMC отримують індекс «Rambler».
Спадщина
Hudson Hornet 1951 року отримав статус «автомобіля року» в книзі «Seventy-five years of noteworthy automobiles» автомобільного журналіста Генрі Боллза Лента (Henry Bolles Lent).
Для 1970 модельного року, AMC відродила індекс «Hornet» для свого нового компактного автомобіля, який прийшов на зміну Rambler American - AMC Hornet.
У 2006 році був розроблений невеликий передньопривідний концепт-кар - Dodge Hornet.
Hudson Hornet є одним з персонажів анімаційного фільму «Тачки» виробництва студії Disney Pixar, а також присутній в кількох комп'ютерних іграх за його мотивами.
Автомобіль Hudson Hornet доступний для покупки і їзди в грі Driver: San Francisco.

Hudson Wasp - менш дорога і менш потужна версія Hornet.

2-дверний хардтоп Hudson Hornet Hollywood другого покоління (1957 рік)

wikipedia.org (uk)