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1954 Hudson Hornet, last year Hudson was independent.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มี.ค. 2023
- Today, on what it’s like 1954 Hudson hornet 2 door club coupe, last year for Hudson to be independent. Loads of ads in this one button switches and knobs take a tour comparisons be sure to stick around for name that tune as well as would you rather., And sneak peaks for our next episode.
There is a typo in the slide overall length is 208.8 inches not 268.8 inches typo.
This 1954 Hudson hornet is currently for sale at Classic auto Mall Morgantown Pennsylvania for more information pricing and pictures pertaining to this very car click the link below after the show.
www.classicautomall.com/vehic...
If you’d like to get in touch with me shoot me a comment in the comments section below or check our Facebook group by clicking the link below
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What_its_like@yahoo.com

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Marvin Gay -Mercy Mercy Me?
Typo 208.8 inches long
Bingo congratulations you got it and you were the first one to do so
Be sure to tune in tomorrow at 4:30 Eastern standard time hopefully they catch the episode on the Franklin Air cooled 1930 Victoria brougham
His last name was Gaye.
@@garrettsmith2654 True after he changed it. Was named at birth as Marvin Gay Jr
@@mejurgensen it was sad that his father killed him in 1984. He will always be remembered. RIP Marvin Gaye.
I don’t take off for spelling as long as it’s close
I must confess that I was very disappointed when the 54 Hudson came out. (I was 14 then and my dad was service manager for a Hudson dealership so I knew about Hudsons.) I hated how they squared off the back end! I felt it ruined the design as seen from the side in the 53s and earlier. I also saw many of those Hudsons race at the Minnesota state fair. They won a lot of races.
It would’ve been absolutely epic to see them race in person.. 6 beating eights that’s what I live for less is more =)
I’m not a big fan of the squared off back look either I like curvy I think 52 is my favorite year =) or 51
I agree about the rounded rear end being more stylish to today's eyes, but the fin era was taking off at that time so I imagine the adding of the rear "fins" were a nod to then modern trends. Actually, I like the earlier grilles better too .
@What it’s like I don't know if you mentioned it but there is a cool little Hudson museum just outside Detroit, in Ypsilanti in the building that used to be a Hudson dealership I believe.
The 54 is my favorite of the stepdown cars. The others look like upside down bathtubs to me. But I know a lot of people like those.
They needed to be seriously working on a V8 during those good times for the six cylinder.
Being 82 years old, I remember when these Hudsons were everyday sights. When I was a kid, the 1941 Hudson and 1946 Packard Clipper were my favorite autos! Both fine automobiles.
My grandpa came from Italy and worked for Packard motors as a machinist for 35 years until 1955 when he retired. My dad said that they bought a dark green 1941 Packard and after a few years bought touch up paint because it had tiny spots of rust.
@@petervitti9 Loved those cars. Fine automobiles.
I'm real close on my design tastes. My dad loved Packards. He had a 1941 120 two-tone green Club Coupe Packard. Dad drove that as the daily driver until 1967; and as long as it was maintained, it never left us stranded! That's all I knew in my childhood! Wish I knew why, but when we'd drive to the Rocky Mountains on vacation, more modern cars would struggle up there. But our Packard would just cruise on up without overheating. That always left an impression on me.
@@MarcusBP- big torque from the packard straight eight engine
Always wondered what market Hudson was going after, luxury, near luxury maybe you could answer that question for me I personally think they are a quality car
My parents bought a 1950 Hudson Pacemaker he had it for 3 years and traded it in for a 1953 Hornet. I remember that car as a kid. I can remember sitting on the floor playing with my toys. I could also stand up and watch where my father was driving to. That car was totaled in 1959. My Father always said the car was the best car he ever owned, and the engineering was far ahead of its time
My dad bought a 1950 Hudson Pacemaker. He always claimed it was his best car.
My father was a loyal Hudson owner starting with a 1940 Hudson coupe that he logged 185,000 miles in. Engine and transmission were never rebuilt and original oil bath clutch was never replaced. He then bought a 51 Hornet that was totalled when another Hudson driven by a drunk driver spun on ice coming down a hill, bounced off a telephone pole and flew airborn landing on top of our Hudson hood with the rear bumper inches away from our windshield. The other Hudson was lifted off our car and was able to drive away. I was about 5 and in the middle of the front seat. None of us were hurt and the police and insurance adjuster praised the Hudson's strength claiming it saved my life since the engine and Hydramatic were driven back to the firewall.My father then bought a 53 Hornet. Mt first car was a 51 Hornet which was never defeated in high school road races.
Thank you so much for sharing that awesome memory
What was your favorite Hudson your family owned. What brand did you go to when Hudson merged with Nash to form AMC
Thank you! My favorite year. After committing to the step down design for 1948 Hudson had introduced an industry changing architecture to the automotive world. Unfortunately, it would be expensive to retool for new designs and Americans were drawn to the flashy, but inferior architecture of G.M. cars of the day. Instead of developing their own V8 Hudson blew what little money they had available on the compact Hudson Jet and the exotic Italia which left little budget for a restyle. Yet, even with those handicaps Hudson turned out the beautiful 1954 line with peak tail lights, a functional hood scoop, a wide aggressive grill and a restyled interior and they were able to retain their 3rd straight NASCAR Championship.
Thank you so much for watching this is an incredible car I want to drive one this year if possible or at least do some video one driving because when they when they’re moving they look totally different, I actually got chills when I watch the advertising commercial because the NASCAR footage. It was a really cool aspect and in the video the Hudson was pulling away from the other cars I don’t know how much of that was staged or if they just shot it during a race.
Chrysler airflow did something very similar to the step down design but they didn’t Call it the step down design I’ve been looking for one I have a big huge crush on the Chrysler airflow for some reason right now
Thank you so much for all of the added information and insight Thank you so much for all of the added information and insight, glad you dig this episode
Great choices too
@@What.its.like. Drive one without power steering. Hudson "center point" steering and low center of gravity made it a fantastic handling car for its size. Also, non-power brakes are better in these as well. They ride amazingly well and have torque forever. Back in 1982 or `83 I held the front door up I-75 from Gainesville to Atlanta for a 280Z and a new 5.0 Mustang GT. The mighty 308 dual carb Hornet loved a sweet spot between 90 mph and 110. That car was Roman Bronze with a black top and brown worsted interior.
11:42 When automatic transmissions first appeared on the scene, most makers used the same brake pedals for whichever transmission was fitted.
Studebaker was the first to fit a double-wide pedal for their _AUTOMATIC DRIVE_ transmission, available mid-year 1950.
That was interesting.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing that that was another thing that I never knew =)
1954 Hudson in both cases, although the 52 and 53, and the other 54's are equally as nice. A great way for Hudson to end independent existence. Looks like a very good quality car. Thanks for the TV commercial.
I love the racing scene in that TV commercial it gave me chills when I saw it the first time. Because it was the underdog and it was kicking some serious tail, if you haven’t picked up already I’m a huge believer in the underdog, I love exposing lost and forgotten cars of yesteryear
Glad you dig this episode =)
As to the differences in styling between the 53 and the 54, I like the clean rounded curves of the 53, but the subtle wings and taillights of the 54’s rear give it a more modern and luxurious look. The front grill on the 54 gives the car a more forthright and assertive look than the 53. The dash with the translucent green horn button, is one of the most beautiful and coordinated designs… something that modern automotive designers need to take a cue from for we need a break from drab charcoal grey and glossy piano black combinations that sucks the life from cars souls.
Interesting that the car has the famed GM 4-speed Hydromatic automatic transmission. Arguably, this transmission, with its roots extending back to WW2 tanks, was a bit rough shifting but yet more efficient with less power losses as compared to the 2-speed automatic slush boxes of the time. This car must have one of the first units made after the catastrophic GM transmission plant fire of May 1953 - for the whole supply chain was disrupted with that fire.
Amen brother to your comment about modern dashes!
Thank you so much for sharing all of that added information and insight I totally agree with you about the dashboards of modern cars why they make them out of piano black plastic is beyond me. Everything nowadays has me so cheap feels like an appliance when you get it one of these older cars everything is real ( aside from the wood textures a lot of times that’s fake but when you touch things they feel solid and substantial not like you’re gonna push through it on some of this new stuff)
The front end styling on the 54 Hudson always reminds me of a 54 Ford. In fact the Hudson 2 door post sedan side view is very Ford like. One area where Hudson really shined was how they were able to squeeze a ton of performance out of what many at that time would have perceived to an antiquated flathead engine. Props to Hudson for that.
I had a whole middle section of cars that looks similar to both the 53 in the 54 but I decided to cut it all out. For reasons I can’t explain. The 54 in a lot of ways looks like a 52 or 53 Lincoln Capri From the side profile
I always thought the Hudson Jet looked a lot like a compact version of the 1952 to 1954 Ford, from front end to taillights.
Moebius models car kits has issued several 1/25 Hudsons in excellent detail. I built two of them. Made me appreciate a beautiful automobile.
My buddy's grandfather was Roy Chapin SR. Because of this I became interested in Hudson, much much more then my friend Chapin the grandson.
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First! My family had a ‘51 Super Six, and a ‘53 Hudson Hornet. I remember the ‘53 because my sister and I would fight over who got to sit on the huge fold down arm rest so we could see out of the windows better! Late ‘53’s had power steering available as did all ‘54’s.
I love Hudson from this era I really wanna drive one this summer. =) great story what awesome memories
It took forever for this to upload that’s why it’s sort of late and then it would not let me Instant premier it
'53 & '54 Hornet Club Coupe's are both superb and are becoming so rare and sought after as time progresses.
Yeah I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 54 club coupe aside from this one
@@What.its.like. 🥇🥈🥉🏆
I want to share my own Hudson Hornet memoir. I can tell you the exact moment I knew that I became old. In 1994, I was driving down the California coast and needed a pick-me-up. I spotted a mall restaurant, "Hudson's Cafe" and found myself in a 50's theme place, with poodle-skirted servers, lots of 50's memorabilia and a wall-mounted copy of a '53 Hudson Hornet grille and headlights (a la Hard Rock Cafe). The only anachronism is that they were playing The Beach Boys' 1960s music on their sound system. A chocolate sundae and 4 cups of coffee later, I paid at the counter. A younger fellow came up and said "Hi, I'm Brad, I'm the manager here. How was everything?" "Well, Brad, it was perfect, just what I needed, but, Brad, just one thing; you are playing '60's music in a '50's-themed place." He looked blankly at me, and I added, "You see Brad, I remember when the 1953 Hudson Hornet was a new car." "How OLD ARE YOU?" he asked. "I'm 43", I said. "Gosh, you're the same age as my dad!" Yes, folks, that was the exact moment I realized that I had become old.
What a great story thank you so much for sharing that awesome memory, I keep the name that tune thing all over the place just like the cars that we feature on this channel I’m a huge beach boys fan but I know that the beach boys wasn’t around when the Hudson hornet debuted. I just really like their music totally dig it it’s a vibe a lot like this car and it takes you back to us before time, much like this car.
I had a similar experience I don’t feel old per se I’m 34 I know I don’t look it. But I used to work at Costco and I was pushing carts one day it was September 11 2019 or something like that. I was in seventh grade when that happened and we were all just sharing our experiences and this younger kid came out to give us a hand because we were super busy and we asked him what he was doing on that day and he’s like I was only like two years old and we were all just flabbergasted we’re like we’re not that old.. lol I mean the other guys were I was only in seventh grade they were out of high school but not really old.. I kind of felt a little bit old at that point. It’s crazy how things change as time goes on and it’s weird how time works somethings feel like forever ago, and other things seem like yesterday but they were 20 years ago but can remember as if it was yesterday.
I know the place: Hudson’s Grill in San Luis Obispo. I used to go there with my son about once a year. The Hudson coming through the wall wasn’t full size, but it was very realistic!
I don’t think you can beat a 1953 Hudson Hornet. That is such a good looking car!!!!
Totally agree
I have a 1954 Hornet 4 door which I enjoy driving around in. For some reason, the rear fender skirts are missing on the particular 1954 Hornet you show, but they came with the car. They are removable to facilitate tire changes.
I like all the 1951 - 1954 Hornets. My favorites are 1953 and 1954.
Correction: Nash didn’t buy Hudson, as you and others state. Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 to form American Motors. There was an attempt by George Mason (CEO of Nash) to merge the 4 independents: Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, and Packard, but Studebaker and Packard held out because they weren’t willing to let George Mason be the CEO of the merged company.
If you don’t put the front seat all the way back, there is a lot of knee room in the back. Also, the front seat back isn’t hard as it is in modern cars, so you can let your knees push into the seat back without stabbing the driver in the kidneys!
A well tuned Hudson Hornet can get 16-18 MPG on the highway, with 3 speed overdrive. In the days of 20 cents/gallon gasoline, that wasn’t really a problem. And remember that this car was built before the interstate highway system, so “highway” meant a road with occasional traffic lights and a speed limit of 50 MPH.
Finally, the car was about 208 inches long. Concept Carz says 268.75 inches long, but they are smoking something.
Thanks for the video review.
Thank you so much for the correction and all of the inside information as well as insight and added information greatly appreciate it
208.8 inches long lol
A friend of mine (now 88 years old) told me he bought a used '52 Hudson Hornet in 1954. He said one day while driving, there was a loud bang and the engine began to run very poorly. He stopped, there was a dent in the hood, and a spark plug had blown out of the aluminum cylinder head. A mechanic had cross-threaded the plug. When he took it in, they would not take responsibility. He ended up trading it for a 54 ford which he hated. He has told the story a few times, how much he loved his Hudson and how he regretted not fixing it.
Wow what a story I never heard of a spark plug blowing out before. I have a friend who had a Hudson hornet that he bought from a junkyard back in the 70s Out in Iowa he said that it was in a junkyard but it wasn’t in bad shape. He said all he did to it was turn it up grease the front end of that road and drove like a dream. And couldn’t understand why anybody would put it there. But that’s one of his biggest regrets in life is selling the car he wishes that he would’ve did everything in his power to keep it he said it was one of the best cars he ever owned I think it was a 53 4 door
I have a funny sparkplug story. One day my friend with a 318 1972 Duster wanted a drag with my 1968 Camaro 4bl 325. I had a sputtering start but caught him. Next day my GM mechanic dad found 2 dead plug wires. LOL.
'54 Hornet was my first car. Very rare, with only the horizontal stainless on the sides. Great car!
I met a guy who is restoring one to race car condition I can’t wait until it’s done. He is getting like a roll cage in it it’s getting painted racing colors and he’s going to drive it on the road going to do a full review on it =)
Daddy of my cousins back home in W VA. fondly remembered the Hudson Hornets. "They'd burn a road down" he once said.
Awesome story =)
A unique feature to the Hudson: in the event of loss of brake fluid, there is back up mechanical linkage, so there is always some breaks in this case to rear wheels. No other car offered that feature. On stick shift models, unlike a conventional clutch plate/disc, Hudson had cork inserts that were bathed in Hudsonite fluid, not be mistaken for a fluid coupling. I owned both a 53 and 54 Hudson Hornet and drove them for quite a while back in the late 1960s.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing that I also learned that Hudson use a wet clutch and they need maintenance every year do you have to change the clutch oil/fluid
This car is awesome, great choice for a feature video. The overall shape reminds me of the classic lead sled look - even 4 dr sedans look cool. 👍
The plan is to eventually hit the mall hopefully especially the orphan cars the orphan cars sit front and center on this channel and they don’t take a backseat to anybody =)
Since you are a car buff, may I pass along this trivia: Chrysler was first with alternators in 1961, GM in 1963 and Ford in 1965. In the 1930s Cadillac was available with a V8, V12 and V16. I am told that most came with the V8s. Packard car co. invented the positrack rearend. Studebaker offered a hill holder feature. This was great on stick shifts when waiting at a light on an uphill grade, car would not roll backwards, Studebaker had an exclusive on this feature. GM's turbohydramatic 400 was so well liked it was used in Rolls Royce for years and some other European cars. For years Studebaker and Rambler (American Motors) used auto transmissions furnished to them by Borg Warner. I do like you presentations, Jay.
Thank you so much for sharing that trivia I’ll add some I found over the years
Crosley hot shot is the first American car to use 4 wheel disc brakes
1940 packard first car with air conditioning built in from the factory
57 rambler rebel first car to use Electronic fuel injection with the Bendix electro jector de Soto used the same system in 58
Here’s an episode that you will totally dig
th-cam.com/video/yUV1MmNZTB8/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
7:40 It looks like we're at the Drive-In movies with the narrow aspect ratio ;-)
The 52 for sure because of the iconic grill that kids will recognize from the “Cars” movies.
I dig the 51 and 52 can’t wait to find one to feature =)
The Hudson was a nice-looking Car, A lot better than the Nash of the same year. The 51 to 53 Hudson's leave a lot to be Desired.
I love that Hudson Hornet Justin, the styling inside and out is beautiful. I love that radio antenna.
I’d drive this car everyday if it was mine =)
I’m with the 54, but the earlier model was nice too. That green one is just beautiful! Subscribed!
Awesome welcome to the car community =)
I think these are all really beautiful and solid looking cars, inside and out! All three are are great, but the overall look of the '52, really appeals to me the most, with the '53 running a really close second! In the second scenario, again I think all three are really fantastic designs, but it would definitely be the Mercury for me! 😎 Cool video
Great choices glad you dig this video it would be really hard to pick in 54 I definitely like the 52 Hudson hornet better just a cleaner design I don’t know which one I would choose over 52 and51 though those are my two favorites =)
Thanks for showing that video. They were somewhat ahead of their time. For the 2 senarios, out of the 1952,3,and 4's. I'd probably go for the 54.However out of the (3) 1954 cars, I'd go for the Pontiac only because my Mother had one (brand new).The 54 Merc had the first of the "Y" blocks then, and the Pontiacs still had six's or straight 8's. In 55 they had a 267 V-8.
Thank you so much for watching great choices =) i’ve been looking for a 54 55 56 mercury to cover I definitely wanna cover more Mercury’s they’re just they’re so hard to fine for some reason Oldsmobile from the 50s early 50s trying to look for those two
I found a Chrysler airflow for sale in Philadelphia I just gotta figure out what dealership it’s at I found it on the auction website it wasn’t an auction dealer though I really want to cover that car it’s dark green and super stellar looking =) hopefully they’ll said come on down
@@What.its.like. My neighbor has a 54 Merc 4 door in his garage, but needs a water pump.
My wife is a Big Hudson fan especially the 54 through 57, too bad they didn't make any after 57, we got to love them...
Which Hudson was your favorite that you ever owned?
@@What.its.like. I've never had one but I'd like a 49 Hudson myself, my wife loves the 57
Sweet we reviewed a 49 I have yet to review a 57
th-cam.com/video/BPwHACd71nw/w-d-xo.html
Very nice 👍 thank you for sharing 😊
=) glad you dig
Hi Jay. 1954 dash. 1954 Hudson Hornet. 1954 Mercury. Thanks. Funny how the step down design became the standard in the late '50s.
Awesome choices =)
The Stepdown Hudsons had an immensely rigid unibody, the so-called Monobilt construction, using an all-welded inner frame, but no external load-bearing panels, but in spite of this fact, they turned out to be lighter than most body-on-frame cars. Well before the Mercedes and Volvo, Hudsons offered superb passenger protection, notably against side-impacts, thanks to the boxed perimeter ftame.
Thank you so much for sharing that added information this car still weighs less than a 1976 Mercedes 350 SL ( SL stands for super light which that car is not)
The Borg Warner Detroit Gear DG-200 automatic was also put in the 54 Hornet. My car came from the factory with it. Same transmission as the Studebaker AutomaticDrive.
Awesome great information thank you so much
The Borg Warner automatic transmission was used temporarily in Hudson production after there was a major fire at the GM Hydra-Matic plant in 1953.
the 1952 is my favorite body style with the A in the front grille. It looks like a chopped Mercury
I agree either the 51 or 52 is the best looking Hudson hornet in my opinion but these don’t look bad either it’s just those looks so much nicer if they were the pinnacle of design for this design concepts in my humble opinion
Can’t go wrong with Hudsons . ❤
I agree they are a drastically underappreciated company that I’m hoping to bring for like some of their 30s cars are off the chain like how just simply gorgeous they are
First choice would be the 53 Hornet but the other I'd have to go with the Pontiac but I'd take any of those Classic over today's junk. All that awesome chrome , a motor I can actually see and work and #1 no computer crap . Your videos are Awesome I'd love to visit that showroom they would probably have to toss me out at closing time.
Thank you so much glad you dig the channel
Classic auto mall is great =) Wednesday they are open until 8 I generally try to go Wednesday’s and stay until close.
Classic automall is 5.5 hours down the road so I shoot 20/25 cars a day that’s why I have the same clothes on lol
What a big beauty! Very handsome car.
It sucks they couldn’t keep producing this car
They did a good job with the 54 re-skin, but - if you look at a 52 Olds Super 88, they were essentially 2 years behind (Olds had a new body for 54 and looked much more contemporary). The 6 was still more than competitive - if a bit archaic - in twin H form, but the market had moved, and there wasn't really anything more that could be done w/o a mass cash infusion and Hudson blew that on the Jet. Sad to see them go, but inevitable. Good quality, massively overbuilt, luxurious interior for the time. Would you rather: the 54 Hornet, then the 54 Merc.
Great choices thank you so much for all of that added insight as well as information greatly appreciate you sharing that =)
This is a fabulous channel, I hope it takes off for you.
I’m sure we’ll get there. I’m glad you dig this channel it means a lot to me =)
Recently discovered your set of videos. I really enjoy looking at cars I grew up with from the 40s on. Thanks. One point, I was surprised that you didn't point out the cup holder depression built into the inside of the glove box door. The paint job on this car is beautiful. Love the color and the quality finish on the paint. Is this a restoration project or are those the original miles. Never owned a Hudson but got to ride in one once in my life. I think the "depression" in both the doors and the rear seat panel is for additional hip room as it's too low to be an armrest. We live in a small community that is LOADED with classic cars collectors. Several of them own around eight classic cars and our next-door neighbor is president of the classic car club for the community so we get a car show almost every month when they meet in the park below our home. Marvin W. Canyon Lake, an hour north of San Diego, Cal.
Welcome to the community =) lots of cool content I don’t say every single thing and every single video because it gets very repetitious and try to see things and not say things it’s a very fine line I don’t wanna sound like a broken record and every single episode if that makes any sense
I'd love to have a 53 Hudson Hornet!!! I'd really love to see a Wasp!!! Thanks Jay for sharing this informative video on the Hudson automobiles!!! 👍👍🙂
I think 51 or 52 is my favorite year I absolutely love them they’re gorgeous cars, not seeing the 54 isn’t gorgeous just they took a lot away when they redesigned it made it look like a jet. I do like the interior though. The hood was super light it almost felt flimsy I forgot to mention that the video, it wasn’t like the Commodore that we reviewed earlier. Glad you dig this video
I got to shoot a 1934 Lincoln I think it’s a model K four-door convertible yesterday that’s what the dash was at the very end with the turned aluminum. V 12 it would be awesome if I got to drive that car but I don’t think it’s going to happen I am going to ask if I can drive to Hupmobile or get footage of it driving =)
@@What.its.like. I look forward to seeing the video of the 34 Lincoln!!! 🙂
1st scenario: 53 Hornet only because for scenario 2, you KNOW I havta go with the Mercury 🙂 Hudson's were amazing. It does crack me up though when they talk about center of gravity and handling on cars that were the size of small cruise ships. My daily driver is Luigi, an '09 Grand Marquis Park Lane, and I couldn't imagine having to tool around taking the grandkids to and from school and after school activities, groceries and dog grooming runs, banking, etc'. I'd need one of those airport ramp guys with the orange hand cones to go with me everywhere!
I was laughing so hard at the comment that you made it’s like driving the titanic in these cars cause it really is these cars are pretty big not 268.8 inches big more like 208.8 inches that was a typo that I didn’t catch
Great choices glad you dig this episode
Newly subscribed, the design of the 54 I’ll say, kind of maybe a little looks like Mercury, but yeh orphan status, I was well aware of the Hudson domination in stock car racing, 1954 was not one of my favorite years for cars, the were all a little bit post war and 1955 was big for all the big 3. Nash went to 1957 and 58 was the last year for Packard, my first BBC car was a 1961 Studebaker, I have been a car show judge 3 years at the Southbury show and televised cruise night 12 years. Just purchased my 128th car, a one owner 70,000 mile 5.0 T- bird88 sport coupe. If I was filthy rich I’d have new Camaro, new challenger and 2 new mustangs, oh and a 61 Impala, 65 Galaxie and an Avanti. Love all things 58 since this is year of my birth, looking forward to a lot of automotive back and forth
Welcome to the channel lots of cool content on here today’s episode it’s going to be a 1930 Franklin it’s going to be the 249th episode so far we’ve only been going at it for a little less than a year and a half now. Thank you so much for sharing all of that insight =)
My first car was a 54 Hudson Hornet, They had a few problems that most people may not know. Biggest problem
was this: the engine was nickel alloy block BUT the head was aluminum! Stupid combination as they were famous for blowing head gaskets due to the metal/heat differential. Mine blew out 3 head gaskets. I finally found a cast iron head to replace the aluminum original. It also leaked! In 1964, I was getting married so I dumped it. Parts were getting scarce and climbing in price. Did I miss mt Hudson? Absolutely NOT!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with owning this car =)
This car company was started by a department store magnate in DeToilet. I think the JL Hudson stores turned into Target and are part of Macy's now.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing that I did not know =)
I had a 1953 Hudson Commodore that had been modified into an El Camino style pickup truck. It was powered by the single carb version of the 308 cubic inch flathead six. With the 3 on the tree manual transmission I could break the rear end loose easily speed shifting into second gear. The unusual body mods brought on unwanted scrutiny from the local police.
Awesome story thank you so much for sharing that amazing memory whatever happened to the car?
Great show. Love the 54's. I would take the 54 out of the three. Best looking car, plus it was the year I was born.
Sweet choice =)
Tronions sounds like something you shouldn't feed after midnight no matter how much they beg ! Lol !
Hahaha they’ve been around forever. Just nobody ever talks about them
Mitt Romney's father had this idea to merge all the independent car factories in America to create something like General Motors.
Packard could be their Cadillac, Studebaker, their Buick, And Hudson and Nash would combine to create Rambler, with a price just below Chevy.
For 1955 they should have made a new OHV V8 with Aluminum heads and valve covers. This would be an available option on all these cars, along with an "Ultra-High performance" option with dual 4 barrels and a wild cam, and "Heavy Duty" glass pack dual mufflers.
Of course, every model would get tail fins!
A 3rd tail fin could be put on the trunk lid of a top of the line Studebaker called the "Platinum Hawk"
It was George Mason, CEO of Nash, who had the idea of merging the independents. His second in command was George Romney, who took over after AMC was formed when George Mason died suddenly.
Reffering to your comment about tall people fitting into cars.
I'm 6'3" so I know what that's like.
I was about 5'10" when I bought my 1964 Dodge Dart wagon when I was 17.
I had to drill some holes in the floor pan so that my legs would fit comfortably.
The early Japanese imports of the 1960s
were sized for Japanese people.
There was little room for taller people's legs.
I do recall sitting in the passenger sear of a 1973 Honda Civic. I was 6' 3" by then.
I was pleasantly surprised that I could sit in comfort. Honda must have considered their intended export market and adapted their design to suit it.
Yeah it’s weird how that works I want to 92 civic hatchback it was a small car but I fit really well in that thing I also want to 73 Karman Ghia which I fit well in.. there is a 1973 Volvo P 1800 coming up and I almost did not fit in the car. Which is super sad because I kind of sort of wanna own one one day I don’t know if the 70s change the seating profile I would want one from the late 60s dashboard looks so much better
6:35 The GM Hydramatic Plant was badly damaged in a fire on 12 August, 1953, so GM couldn't supply Hydramatics for most of model year 1954.
GM substituted Buick Dynaflow transmissions in most high-end models such as Cadillac and Oldsmobile.
Hudson, Nash, and some of the other independents that would have used Hydramatic contracted to buy three-speed automatics built by Borg-Warner. Hudson used a heavy duty version for most of 1954.
Very interesting !
Thank you so much for sharing that information I did not know that
I really like the look of the 1954 Hornet. Have you ever seen the 1956? I don’t know what they were thinking.
Yeah it’s sad this was the last year of a good thing, they lost their way after this.
The designers were told that for 1955, they had to make a 1954 Nash look “Hudson-ish”, because after the merger in May 1954, there would be no more Hudsons made, just Nashes with Hudson grills, tail lights, and dashboards, i.e., bits and pieces to make it look different from the Nash. So the 1955-1957 Hudson Hornets and Wasps were literally “Hashes” of left over Hudson parts stuck on a Nash unibody. These cars have a following, and I don’t want to disparage those who like them, but the Nash design didn’t work for stock car racing. Very few were made and sold, so they are quite rare.
Technically the 2 door sedan is a Hornet Special. This is basically a Hornet with a Wasp interior and exterior trim, mostly to get rid of inventory as the Hornet sold better despite being more expensive, and they used Wasp 2 door Sedan bodies also for Specials in that style.
I can confirm the 53 hood scoop is purely an ornament, but a really good ornament.
Loving the Hudson coverage. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for all the added information and insight I read about the Hornets special I wasn’t sure if this was that I think the seats have been redone because the seats were supposed to have a different material on them these seats like Naugahyde like material.
@@What.its.like. The car you saw was definitely a Hornet Club Coupe and not the Special as it would be indicated on the fenders with a Hornet Special script, so the interior was definitely redone. Though the car in the advertisement in the thumbnail is a Hornet Special 2 door sedan or 2 door Brougham as Hudson called it. I have the same one hanging up in my room.
I couldn’t get the this wasn’t the original thumbnail the thumbnail that I wanted to use I couldn’t get the proportions right so I just use this one I know it’s not the right car I was hoping people wouldn’t look too close at it lol I wish I could show you what the thumbnail actually looked like I think it looked better than this one but I’d like I said I couldn’t get the proportions right.
@@What.its.like. That's perfectly cool as I said I own that exact same ad, oh ad I forgot to mention the Hornet Special even has there own VINs Hornet Special is 6D while Hornet is 7D
😍Nice!!!!👍
Nice 🥰
I would prefer the instruments on the '53--but then, I would prefer the older car anyway. It exemplifies the concept and the individual nature of Hudson better, and evokes the era. But I would prefer the 1952 Hornet to the '53. The Mercury had the new overhead-vale V8 engine, but I would go for the flathead straight-eight in the Catalina, coupled with the Hydramatic. The '54 Hudson didn't look like a Hudson any more--it kind of straddled two eras without evoking either one. But the taillights were, admittedly, a vast improvement in practicality--following cars could see them much better.
I agree with you between the 51 and 52 Hudson hornet’s are my favorite not saying the 54 isn’t a good car I just think they hit it out of the park with the styling and 51 and 52. I’m not into the squared off look. But I do like the interior in the gauges in this car.
Good choices =)
Dad was A Hudson, International Truck and A Sub Chevy Dealer.
The Hudson Hornet replaced the Mercurys for bootlegger runs to Oklahoma from Wichita Falls, Tx in the early 50s. They lost out to the Oldsmobile Rocket 88’s later. As a kid we always knew the hottest cars by what the local bootleggers were driving.
Awesome story and information, i’ve heard mixed things that this would outrun the Oldsmobile in the corners because of the low center of gravity also when they were side-by-side to one another I heard the Hudson would pull away from the rocket 88 because the Hudson had a higher top speed but this is all speculation.. because sometimes car stories are like fish stories lol
54 model, that's a nice vehicle 👌
=) agreed
You should do a presentation on that 70's dent side Ford F-150 next to that Hudson.
The 1954 Hudson models all got an upgraded engine with more Horsepower than the prior years so from a performance standpoint you want the 54 Hornet. From an aesthetic standpoint most people like the 51-53 Hornet…. Many think the sedans look better than the coupe. 1954 also had the Hornet Special which was a slightly cheaper more stripped down Hornet model. The 54 Hollywood was probably the most up to date Hudson in terms of styling that year.
Awesome thank you so much for sharing your perspective it really means a lot when people do that and that’s what sets this general apart from others it’s a car community not just a car channel =)
A buddy bought a '53 Hornet for $500 in 2000. It ran. I wish he held on it and restored it.
Oh man whatever happened to it?
@@What.its.like. I forget, I think he sold it.
You should have shown off the wide center armrest that folds down in the backseat. Also all '54 Hornets came from the factory with rear fender skirts. Someone took the set from this car unless they are stored in the trunk.
I been drivin every where in town and aint nobody ever shut me down she's my...
I have a really good friend who is building a race car we are totally going to do that next year it’s not 100% yet he is hoping to have it done for the national meet an earring Pennsylvania next year which will be totally epic I want to find a race track in a couple other cars and see if we can get some footage of him driving around a race track.
We are going to do an end-of-the-year episode I’m going to tell you about that whole situation there’s a lot of stuff that happens behind the scenes that you guys don’t see you then I would love to share on there
MGM's cartoon "The Car of Tomorrow" makes fun of the US auto industry in general.Though they don't mention any car brands by name they poke fun at Hudson by demonstrating a car that "to get in you step down" ...and show someone falling into a footwell deep as a well.
Hudson as an independent was until the 1955 season a different drummer. They hung on to splash lubrication and multi-plate wet clutches longer than most of the industry, but they also forged the blocks of those engines from a chrome molybdenum alloy that was much tougher than the cast iron that was and is the industry standard. Hudsons also had a backup mechanical brake system should the hydraulic one fail. With no offense to Nash Hudsons really became more pedestrian after the takeover.
I think I would take the 1954 of the three Hudsons. I like the squared -off tail section and the one-piece windshield. The 1954 Hudson and Pontiac both appeal to me for different reasons. The former is a performance car while the latter would have that wonderful straight eight sound plus a light-up hood ornament.
Hudson and Nash merged may 1 1954
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Motors_Corporation
I wish they could have stuck around they were a cool brand
My grandparents had a Hudson. My grandma was T-boned and the police told her that the frame around the passenger compartment saved her life
Wow that’s a crazy story thank you so much for sharing it =)
If the ‘53 had power steering, then ‘53 all the way of group one! The song was Mercy, Mercy Me! Don’t remember the artist.?of group 2, if that ‘54 Pontiac was the Super Chief Catalina with Power Steering, power brakes, hydramatic. Radio and clock, it would match one I had in 1977! Mine was Yellow with white trim. It was a smooth comfortable car but not a race horse, and fairly thirsty. If not as described or close, I would gladly take a ‘54 Hornet with Twin H Power 7X engine, with power steering, power brakes and Hydramatic. Radio and clock if available. As I recall, Dad’s ‘53 Hornet had a very powerful tube radio!
Great choices thank you so much for sharing all of that insight as well as information definitely like the story too. With a single carburetor I think it would be somewhat economical I saw 15 to 18 mpg all of the sources conflict about this car.
1963 was the start of the car body styling I prefer.
While comparing the 1953 Hornet to the 1954 model, they look like 2 different cars from the rear. The 1953 looks like a 1949-50 Mercury from the sloping trunk deck to the low taillights .On the other hand, the 1954 looks like a 1948-49 Cadillac with its taillights and fins. The 1954 Hornet would be my favourite whether its compared to the other model years, or to Mercury and Pontiac of the same year.
Yeah I started comparing cars because if you’re looking to buy these it’s always good to know what came before it I personally like the 51 and 52 looks better I think that was the absolute pinnacle of design not seeing the 53 or the 54 looks bad in anyway, The 54 just lost a lot of the charm of what the Hudson hornet was when they squared off the design in my opinion.
I like the bulldog style chrome nose on the '53 and the quarter panel design, the '54 has a single piece front windshield but is too plain jane for me.
I like the 53 Hudson because of the rear taillights. The 52's are too small. I HATE the 54 taillights. They look unfinished, just hanging out there with no under support. They should have ran a chrome piece down joining the backup lights. I also like the 53 dash better. Larger dials. I think almost anyone would choose the Mercury over the Hudson. More modern styling.
I totally agree the 54 squared off look looks like a Cadillac at the rear end it kind of takes away from what the car was
The 7 X engines also had huge valves
Thank you so much for that Added information 210 hp out of a flat it’s six is a pretty impressive number
Seems like they should have named the Jet the Mosquito. Ha! Dash: I like the 54 better. Did the center portion of the rear seat back cushion fold down to create a super wide center armrest? Sure looks like it. That is one stinkin' beautiful Hudson! WYR: 54 for the first scenario, but geez, I'd take any of them! 2. Definitely the Hudson!
Great choices and you’re right this was a gorgeous car, I wish Hudson didn’t have to stop making it
Yes, there is a wide armrest in the middle of the back seat. Children used to like sitting on it because they got a better view of out the windows. I loved lying on the rear “package shelf” with a panoramic moonroof. Of course, this was before seatbelts. I always felt secure with my father driving, and even sometimes fell asleep up there.
@@dr.robertngoldberg7602 My early memories are standing on the transmission hump of our 57 Dodge so I could see the road and the speedometer, and back then, my parents allowed it. I recall putting a crack in the dome light lens as well as my head when we went over a big bump! Ha! Good memories!
51hudson and I take the Hudson. Thanks Roy
Awesome choices 51 is my favorite of the step down Hudson’s
The Buicks of the late 40s and early 50s had radio antenna above the windshields like the Hudson.
I love when the antenna is mounted to the top of the windshield or the roof I should say it’s just so classy
@@What.its.like. what is your opinion of the “shark fin” style antenna on modern cars?
Thanks
Glad you dig this episode
Great video! I believe the Hudson Hornet was 208'' long not 268''.
Yeah that was a typo I need to fix that somehow thank you so much for pointing that out
I like the earlier Hudson's
I love the '53 and like the '54.
Awesome =)
Rear end styling on the Jet & Hornet Hudson models seems to echo Fords of same model year era.
I like the overall design of the '54. My choices are Hudson, Mercury, then Pontiac.
Great choices =) i’ve been looking for the Mercury’s they are just so hard to fine for whatever reason.
I would choose:
1. The 1954 Hudson. I just happen to like the update for that year.
2. The '54 Mercury.
The tail end of the Hudson reminds me of the late forties Cadillac. At any rate, it's too bad they didn't have the money to give this car the overhaul it needed to compete. I wonder what would have happened if Hudson could have remained independent into the sixties?
Great choices I do totally agree with you I see Cadillac in those tail lights as well =)
What's going' on, Marvin Gaye. '54 Hornet all the way. It's obviously top of the line and I love it, bumper to bumper!
So close that is the artist but it is not the song
I absolutely love Hudson’s I really want to drive on this year. It would be awesome maybe who knows
Glad you dig this episode
Prefer Hudson Hornet’s ‘53 style/chrome best of 3 early 50‘s Hudson years…. Of the ‘54 Hudson Hornet, Mercury Monterrey or Pontiac Catalina Custom, would have gone for the Catalina. Thanks, good, interesting video.
Cool choices glad you dig this video =)
I have the 1949 Hudson commodore 8. That model was only made 48 and 49. Hudson, Studebaker, and packard. Was going to come together and make 1 auto maker. But it didn't work out. Hudson wouldn't build a v8. Studebaker made it for a few years. And Packard was sold to AMC.
We covered a 49 door panels are similar.. I love step down Hudson’s would love to drive one, one day =)
I like the 54 hardtop
Sweet =)
Ist scenario, I don't have a choice. I like them all. However, I would favor the older models over the 54. One of my elementary school girlfriend's dad had a Hudson and gave me a ride to school in it. His was one of those earlier models. In the second scenario, I would go with the Mercury because I am a Ford person, and over the years, I have had several Mercurys. I like that brand.
I love hornets as well can’t wait to drive one =)
I have a friend building one a race car it will be featured on here this year =) 7x engine it’s a 54
I'd be happy with any year of the Hornets if each had the Twin-H.
7X would be the engine that I would go with 210 hp sounds amazing in a flathead six
@@What.its.like. Even with a flathead Ford V8, you can easily get 210-250 reliable horsepower out of one. The limiting factor is the number of main bearings.
Eventhough the Ford flathead V8's only had 3 main bearings and the Hudson 6 had 4, the Hudson 6 is a longer engine. The 308 7X gets extra strength from it being a "wide-block" design, adding more mass to the block. Besides being a larger engine in all it's dimensions, the cylinder head also had better cooling passages.
The "grunt" power(the torque), is aided by the larger displacement of the cylinders. It's the torque which makes engine power the hero.
Suggestion Great content in your channel Love the historic info!!!! With all due respect you might want to upgrade the gen X unmade bed look Haircut glasses nice shirt Etc Not trying be mean
You show classy cars with great history Upgrade your bald tires and rusty fenders... lol
That's actually not a hood scoop on the 53. It also is functional, has an air scoop for outside air to ventilate the cabin.
Awesome thank you for that correction =)
The 54 Hudson compares favorably with the 51 Mercury parked next to it, and therein lies the problem. They should have squared up the 48 design for 50 or 51 and done a major restyling for 52, but they squandered thier R & D money on the ill-fated Jet. I still want that maroon 51 Commodore that I saw abandoned behind a convience store when I was in high school.
I think the Hudson Commodore is a super underrated car it’s overshadowed by the hornet which isn’t all that different styling wise honestly I’m not entirely sure when they gave up the straight eight but the Commodore you could get a straight eight.
@@What.its.like. agreed. The one that I saw was an eight, with Hydramatic. It had a leather and fabric interior and was in beautiful condition. I still remember the woven leather buttons on the fabric upholstery. It was fifteen years old and could not be given away!
[From the description] _"Loads of ads in this one button switches and knobs take a tour comparisons be sure to stick around for name that tune as well as would you rather."_
This sentence makes absolutely no sense.
It was probably an auto correct issue which happens a lot especially when don’t have a team of people working for you and put out content 5 days a week and write own stuff and do two other sides jobs sorry for the improper grammar I’ll have to go back and fix it =)
3:30 Mr. Porky's Hudson was a '52.
May I comment on another episode of yours? A 64 Olds Starfire did not have a turbohydramatic automatic transmission, it had a Roto hydramatic, used on all full sized Olds with the 394 V8 1961 thru 1964. Note, the shift dial was PNDSLR unlike a turbohydramatic PRNDSL That rotohydramatic was used on most Pontiacs on those years. It was not a good unit. When stop and go traffic 0-35 mph, there was a radical gear ratio shift which made it shift kind of harsh, no way to fix it due to its design. On another episode you displayed a 61 Pontiac. It was equipped with a 421 V8 and an alternator. No offense please, this is an update, the 421 V8 was not offered until the next year 1962, the alternator did not come on line in GM cars until 1963, they called it a Delcotron. To be precise about it, there was a turbohydramatic transmission (of sorts) in the 64 Buick Riviera and the 64 Cadillac Couple De Ville. While it was a 3 speed unit, the shift selector, that year only was PRNDL -- note no intermediate "S" and mechanics say it had some other differences that one year only. May I pass along this tidbit to you? Did you know that in 1964 Ford had the patent on a fully synchronized stick shift 4 on the floor --- I personally say a 64 Chev Nova with a factory equipped 4 on the floor, when you put it up on the rack to work on it, you could see a FoMoCo, Ford Motor co part number on it as well as Chev's part number, ultra funny, would you say? I thoroughly enjoy your presentations.
Thank you so much for sharing all that information and corrections really appreciate it =)
You'd think all these old cars would be cheap!
Some are others cost a lot have you seen the price of a basement barracuda with a six cylinder engine from 1970 it’s insane what they’re going for.
They don't do very well at Barret Jackson or Mecum. Any frame off restoration will be 6 figures. Saw like a 27 Pontiac barely clear $20,000 at Barret.
A number of years ago I saw one that had burned to the ground. They wanted over $2000 for the wreckage.
Hudson Hornet length was apparently around 208 inches, not
the 268 inches shown in the chart...
That was a typo
Thank you for the correction
Went to school in a Hudson!
That’s awesome what year did you have in model
Check the length, bro. 268.8 inches comes out to 22.4 feet long. Even a 59 Cadillac is nearly 3 feet shorter than that.
www.conceptcarz.com/s13710/hudson-hornet.aspx
Concept cars got it wrong I believe it’s more like this
www.automobile-catalog.com/make/hudson/hornet_1gen/hornet_series_7d_4-door_sedan/1954.html