Hornet model differences

Richie

Can someone explain to me what the differences are between, say a Hudson Hornet, a Hudson Hornet Twin-H, and a Hudson Hornet Special. I know the Twin H has the dual carbs, but back in the day, could you order a Hudson Hornet with one carb and it not be a Hornet Special ?? I guess what I'm getting at is, whats the difference between a Hudson Hornet single carb car and a Hudson Hornet Special car. Thanks. Richie.

Park_W

Twin-H was merely the name for the twin carb option. Available in early '52 (some say late '51), it was initially a dealer installed package only. Shipments of cars with Twin-H from the factory didn't start 'til somewhat later.

Hornet Special was a model/series introduced in '54 to offer the Hornet at a lower price. Interiors were not quite as nice as the "premier" Hornets, and some things like bumpers were different. Some say these differences were aimed at getting rid of certain parts from earlier years. The significant thing for many of us is that it was the first time since pre WWII that Hudson offer a 2-door sedan (Brougham) in the top model line.

dougson

Hudson marketed the Twin-H an an option heavily through the last run of the step-downs, by '54 more Hornet cars had Twin-H than single carbs, and by '56, the last year of the 308, it was standard on the Hornet. Twin-H was available on all models including the Jet. The '54 only Special was designated 6D.

Lee ODell

Also, the Hornet Special has less exterior trim than the Hornet.
Lee O'Dell

Browniepetersen

The Hornet was offered as the top of the line series in 1951 and continued as the top of the line until the Hudson was discontinued. As mentioned the Twin H was an option package that was offered in late 51 and was available as a dealer add on or factory ordered feature. The Hudson Hornet Special started in July 1954 with less exterior and interior appointments. The main difference I see in my car is the different (less ornate) inside door handles and the lack of a badge on the doors. Outside I notice that the bright work below the tail lights and the directional/back up lights are missing. And, the special insignia on the front fenders. The cost was $2,619 for the Hornet Special club coupe. The Hornet was priced at $2,742. (Butler's) You can see from this that there was not much of a price difference. Considering that either one could be ordered with a pot load of add-ons you could have about anything you wanted?

Richie

Thank you very much guys, great information, I understand now. Richie.

MikeWA

Interesting sidelight in naming the models- Apparently Hudson followed the lead of several tractor makers, in making a "Special" version, whose distinguishing feature was that it wasn't very special. In fact, like Hudson, the "Special" version was a less optioned model, meant to appeal to the price-conscious. The practice continues to this day- I have a Kubota "Utility Special" tractor that is a very basic machine- straight gear drive, no powershift, just basic hydraulics without draft control, etc.

[Deleted User]

The 54 Special also had its own full disc hubcap with blue emblem.
Roger