ClassicCar

What the models are depends upon the year you are talking about. '48-'54



But



Pacemaker, Pacemaker Deluxe, Super6, Super 8, Commodore 6, Commodore8, Hornet, Hornet Special, Jet, Jet liner, Are all model designations



Whereas: Sedan, Coupe. Club Coupe, Business Coupe, 2-door sedan, Brougham, Club Sedan, Hollywood Hardtop, Convertible, Convertible Brougham, Are all body style designations.



In some years those designations changed and also not all body styles were available on all models alll years. Does that help ? Would you like a breakdown by year?

Few will go here Slim, as you'll get as many answers to that question as people you ask.

In '48-49, there were only two trim levels and two engines available. The Super series had less flash, and most were made with a 262 CID 6. The Commodore had more chrome inside and out, and could be found with the 262 CID 6 or the 254 "splasher" straight 8. These two models were generally available in coupe, brougham (2-door sedan), 4-door sedan and convertible body styles. The exception to this is the Commodore brougham, which was never offered by Hudson during the stepdown years. The brougham had the same longer roof and short trunk lid as a 4-door sedan, but with the longer doors of a coupe and 3-ft. long quarter windows.

In 1950 things get a little more complicated, as Hudson introduced an even more stripped down model line called Pacemaker. These had a 232 CID 6 and were available in the 4 body styles noted, but had 8 inches removed ahead of the firewall.

In '51 Hudson offered all of these models as well as the new Hornet, available (standard) with a single-carb 308 CID 6. Hornets and Commodores were basically the same car with different engine choices. Hornets were not available in the brougham body style either until '54 however, when it was known in sales literature that year as the "Club Sedan". '51 was also the year Hudson introduced a new 2-door hardtop body style called the "Hollywood". All models except the Pacemaker were available as a Hollywood hardtop this year.

In 1952 Hudson dropped the Super model, but offered a second short-wheelbase model called the Wasp. This model was a bit fancier than the Pacemaker, and was available with the 262 CID 6. The Pacemaker was added to the list of models available as a Hollywood 2-door hardtop this year only. '52 was the last year that the 254 CID straight-8 was available. This is also the year that the dual-carb "Twin-H" option became widely available on the Hornet.

In '53 Hudson dropped the Commodore and Pacemaker series, concentrating on the (232) Wasp, (262) Super Wasp and the (308) Hornet. Thus Hornet was now the only "long wheelbase" stepdown model available. This was also the year that Hudson introduced the compact Jet.

1954 was the last year of the stepdown, available as the Wasp, Super Wasp, Hornet, and Hornet Special (basically a Hornet with Wasp chrome & interior) only. These 4 models were all available as coupes, broughams (now called Club Sedans this year), 4-door sedans, Hollywood hardtops, and convertibles.

There are some exceptions and additions to this list, but this is the general picture.

So you see, the "coolest" cars each year will be a matter of opinion. Value-wise, the convertibles command the most cash, with "senior" (long-wheelbase) and fancier models such as the Hornet and Commodore generally more valuable than the shorter or stripped down models such as the Super, Wasp or Pacemaker. For some however, it doesn't get any better than a Hornet coupe like Doc Hudson from the movie "Cars". Others like the long-roof 2-door brougham body style best. Still others prefer the Hollywood hardtops.

That's great info, I'm having to learn all over again!

Mike (WA) wrote:

You are correct. The paper element style was standard, and the oil bath optional, for dusty conditions.

Remember that in the 50s our GREAT INTERSTATE system was just a twinkle in the eyes of the Hudson owner. When you reached the edge of town many places "the road" turned to gravel or dusty packed dirt. In the community where I grew up the roads in town were asphalt in town with many side streets unpaved or gravel. When we went south the trip was via gravel to the next town as was the northern routes. The Interstate system did not catch up to our part of he US until the late 70s when the I system snaked its way across the hills and dales. POINT: Dusty was the norm for the Hudson when traveling. Paved roads were in town and the rest were usually pretty dusty or muddy.