My wife and I came across this great looking car while shopping at a local farm and ranch store in Sandpoint. It looked like it had been taken on the road often but was in excellent condition.
It's a "first generation" 1954 Hudson Hornet, a brand that was made by Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit between 1951-1954. In 1954 Hudson and Nash-Kelvinator merged to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). Hudson automobiles continued to be manufactured and marketed until 1957, but the brand never gained the popular support it probably deserved. Just under 25,000 Hornet cars were made in 1954.
The first-generation Hudson Hornets featured a sleek and functional "step-down" design with dropped chassis. As a result, Hornets had a lower center of gravity than most vehicles. This design is an advantage for racing as it allows the car to be handled well. Hornets were (and have remained) popular race cars.
The Hornet was powered by a 308 cu in (5.0 L) six-cylinder engine, more powerful compared to the contemporary Chevrolet I6 and Ford V8. It was perky and relatively fuel efficient for its time.
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