Spotting cues: 51-53

Unknown

Forgive the n00b question, but the thread about the inherited car got me thinking about spotting cues to identify the differing trim levels in the 51-53 models. This would help me in my search for the right Hornet.



So, from the experts on this board, what are the key spotting cues (or differences altogether, for that matter) between the different Hudson models between 51 and 53?



Thanks!

Unknown

Hi old bird,



I was going to email you about a car in San Antonio but a message comes up that you can't receive emails and to contact admin. If you're interested you may email me. Rick

Unknown

Thanks Rick, I'll PM you my email addy.

[Deleted User]

OB-



The 51's have a stainless strip ~1 foot below the horizontal "break" on the sides of the body. The Hornet "bomb" is located at the forward end of that strip right behind the front wheel opening. The front turn signals are rectangular. It has the triangle hood ornament. The rear brake lights/turn signals are relatively small triangular units mounted fairly high on the fenders.



The 52's have a wider stainless strip ON the horizontal break on the sides of the body. The Hornet "bomb" (larger than on the 51's) is located at the forward end of the strip just above and in front of the wheel opening. The front turn signals are semi-triangular and are mounted on chrome "curvy" trim pieces at the ends of the grill. It has the triangle hood ornament. The tailights are horizontal and are mounted on a chrome curvy trim pieces. The chrome trim pieces go all the way across the back of the car above the bumper and below the trunk opening.



The 53 is externally identical to the 52, except that it has the "scoop" hood ornament.



There are interior differences from year to year (seat and door upholstery) but I believe the dashes are identical.



If you can find a front pic and rear pic of each year, that'll tell you 99% of what you need to know.

Walt-LA

Wiper and light switches are located on the dash insturment panel below the gauges and between speedo and clock on the '51's. In '52, the switches were moved down to the chrome and stainless subdashes located on either side of the steering wheel. The starter button was also dropped in '52 going to key start. Both '51 and '52 Hornets feature leather grain texturing on dash and most interior moldings. In '53 they were changed to plain paint. '51, and I believe '52, Hornets have a medal on the door molding which has H 145 on it. The 145 was dropped in '53, as car had more hp. Upholstery patterns differ somewhat in the different years. Believe colors on heater emblem may have changed from red to black after early '51. Also changes in color on fender "arrowheads" and lettering on Hornet fender and trunk rockets from black in '51 to red in '52. Said to be some difference in color of triangle on hubcaps- red to maroon between '51 and '52, as well? Walt-LA

hornet53

Hugh's_Hornet wrote:

The 53 is externally identical to the 52, except that it has the "scoop" hood ornament.

And the 53 does not have the inverted "V" in the grill work.



51's also have small rear quarter windows, whereas the 52-53's have the longer ones that follow the roof line better (on the sedans).

SuperDave

One more little tidbit. The 51 Hornet hood ornament tringle is gold, while the Commodore is chrome. But none of this stuff is carved in stone, because lotsa stuff has been swapped around over the years.

37 CTS

Also regarding the Speedometer backgrounds, the early 52 have a lighter background to much the same color as the numbers. On late 52s and all 53s the Speeedometer background is dark to have better contrast in making the numbers more readable.