Hudson car history, car data, information, pictures

The first Hudson drove out of the factory on July 3, 1909, and 4,000 cars were sold in the first year.  This was a record at that time for any automobiles company in it’s first year.  The name came from J.L. Hudson, a successful department entrepreneur who provided the capital to start the company.  The first model sold was the Hudson “Twenty”, one of the first models to be sold under $1000, at $900.  Dual brakes, oil pressure and generator warning lights, and a balanced crankshaft were all firsts for Hudson in the automobile industry.

Hudson’s peak was in 1929 when it produced over 300,000 automobiles.  It was third only behind Ford and Chevrolet.  Sales never reached that high again, and Hudson factories built hardware for World War II.  Anti aircraft guns, aircraft parts,  and naval engines were built at the Hudson factories.  Many D-Day landing craft were powered with engines built by Hudson.

After the war ended, Hudson resumed building cars.  Another first for the auto industry was in 1948 when Hudson launched “step down” bodies.  These vehicles had the interior lower than the entrance, and it was safer for the passengers.  Eventually most auto manufacturers would adopt this design in some form.  Hudson ran into increasing difficulties trying to keep up with the big 3 automakers (Ford , GM, and Chrysler ).

Hudson had some huge success early in the 1950’s with NASCAR racing, and today still hold some consecutive win records.  In Januay 1954 merged with Nash-Kelvinator to become American Motors Corporation , or AMC for short.  The Hudson and Nash brand names would continue to be used until 1957, when the Rambler name took over.