Looking for information on the interior of a 54 Hornet Special

EngineerLecompte

I have a line on a 54 Hornet Special and am looking into what all goes in the back seat of the car. I can find plenty of photos of dashboard and front seat, but not much on the back. Did they have the big arm rest? How about opening quarter windows? What else is different between a Special and a standard Hornet for 54? I have not yet seen the car, so my knowledge this particular ride is limited.

Any help would be appreciated.

R

46HudsonPU

Welcome aboard! 

Good to have you.  I'm sure you'll find a wealth of information here. 

Be patient, I'm sure that you'll get some feedback on your questions.  Do you have any pictures of your car?  No matter the condition, everyone loves pictures!

You may also want to visit the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club website, and consider joining that Club - Members come for the cars, and stick around because of the great folks there!

We hope you enjoy your time here at the Hudson Essex Terraplane 'Open Forum' -

53jetman

The Hornet Special interior was just like that of the Super Wasp.  Flip-out front vent windows (not crank operated) and the back seat without the large flip-down arm rest in the center.  Pretty much the same checked upholstery in green or blue as the Super Wasp.  Not sure about the rear quarter windows, but I think they too would have flipped open.  Only the Wasp would have had the solid rear quarters

Lee ODell

My son's 54 Hornet special came with rubber floor mats F&R. If you live near Canyon Country, Calif. he will give you the original rear mate in excellent condlition. Front mate was wasted.

Lee O'Dell

StillOutThere

I agree with 53jetman that the '54 Hornet Special interiors were DIRECT parts from the '54 Super Wasp in every aspect.   The glove box door chrome got the Special name in it.   And the floors were rubber mat as Lee has said.   No arm rest in the rear seat center.  In part, my understanding was the Hornet Special was created to use up what Hudson had too much of in inventory knowing that the merger was in discussion and they would shut down.   They had lots of Super Wasp interior material, lots of Super Wasp exterior stainless trim and so use it and sell the Hornet name at a lower price.

I enjoyed the Hornet Special coupe I had and preferred the slightly less "flash" trim of the midline Wasp.  Importantly that was the whole enchilada Hornet motor under the hood.  Good luck with a possible purchase.

EngineerLecompte

Thanks all. I have never been inside a 54 of any kind before.  I have not seen the car and frankly, its quite a ways away so I might not be able to make the deal work. I'll keep you all informed if it happens.
R