| Hudson Hornet | |
|---|---|
 1951 Hudson Hornet (4-door sedan) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | 1950–1957 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | |
| Layout | FR layout |
The Hudson Hornet is a full-size car manufactured by Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan from 1951 until 1954, when Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson merged to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). Hudson automobiles continued to be marketed under the Hudson brand name through the 1957 model year.
The first-generation Hudson Hornets featured a functional "step-down" design with dropped floor pan and a chassis with a lower center of gravity than contemporary vehicles that helped the car handle well — an advantage for racing.[1] The Hornet's lower and sleeker look was accentuated by streamlined styling, sometimes called "ponton" styling.
Following the merger forming AMC in 1954, Hudson cars were built on the newer factory assembly line for Nash Statesman/Ambassador unibody chassis; therefore, all second-generation Hudson Hornets were restyled Nash automobiles that were badge engineered as a Hudson.[2]
- ^ Foster, Pat (18 November 2022). "Hudson's step-down styling was revolutionary. So why didn't certain other carmakers use it?". Hemmings. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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