Recently, some readers asked for images of Hudsons as they were back in the day. Understandably, with the make merging with Nash in ’54 and disappearing not long after, there aren’t as many photos to be found, unlike other makes we’ve featured in our vintage galleries. But regardless, show up they inevitably do. And we finally have enough of them to create this short series.
Regarding Hudson, there’s something to be said about a brand that died over half a century ago and still gets mentions in pop culture (Try that with a Crosley!). All part of the allure of a brand that left an indelible impression.
As will be easy to see, today’s images feature proud owners, in mostly black and white. Plus, a few photos of Hudsons in the open roads.
I LOVE THESE HUDSON PICTURES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, RICH BARON
Wonderful set of photos, Rich Baron. Thanks so much for all your efforts in putting this together.
Nice photos! Thank you for posting.
Steve McQueen loved his Hudson, he would even drive his kids to school in it.
pic of my Grandfatther’s Hornet (’52?) with my cousins in the foreground.
should be Randerson… missed the “A”!
Pic was taken in 1955 in Holliston MA.
The Hudson was traded on a new ’57 Dodge Coronet coupe a couple years later.
What colors on the “Dodge”? Remember a white/green, one in the church parking lot.
Best of memory, it looked , rather, like the one pictured.
Sadly I never bought one when they were cheap orphan cars .
I hope there’s a Hudson pickup article coming soon .
-Nate
Is that Dean Moriarty (Neal Cassady) from “On The Road” in the last picture? Cassady was legendary for his driving skills, and he loved his Hudson.
The grill design on the first car makes it look like the hood latcch is is busted and the hood’s held down by bungee cords.
I thought I was the only one!
Yes it looks that way to me too. To me it also looks like a towing frame in the upright storage position.
One of the tragedies of the Step-Down design, with the very small window apertures and the rather bulbuous hindquarters, is that they looked the complete opposite of “lithe and sporting”, though because of the unit construction and the lowered floor, they actually had the best handling of any of the domestic makes. See photo #3 and any of the other shots from the rear or rear 3/4. Hudson didn’t know what they had when they were styling it. Or maybe, like Packard, they were trying to save $$ on glass.
Proper mix of Hudson people! Buick types who appreciated the staid ambience, and young bucks who appreciated the big six and low center of gravity.
The guy in the first photo looks like he could be the original “Doc” Hudson…
Great collection – love that convertible!
The Hudson on the beach looks like the Fabulous Doc Hudson from the Pixar movie “Cars”.
Great photos.
Wow – a factory led sled!
I think the DRG must’ve influenced Carl F W Borgward with his 1950s cars.