Hudson Commodore
Encyclopedia
The Hudson Commodore was an automobile produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company
of Detroit, Michigan between 1941 and 1952. During its time in production, the Commodore model represented the largest and most luxurious Hudson model.
The Commodore series was Hudson's largest model range in its debut year, consisting of sedans, coupe
s, and convertible
s. Hudson used a forward hinged hood that opened from the rear by the windshield with the front end of the hood sliding downward over the grille.
The firm promoted its economy over luxury during the shortened model year that ended in January, 1942, as U.S. war production accelerated.
Hudson automobiles were more fully equipped than competitive makes, and all Hudson models received door arm rests, twin air-horns, ashtrays, windshield wipers, stop lights, locking glove box, sealed beam headlights, and deep pile carpeting. Commodore and Commodore Customs added foam rubber
seat cushions (Hudson was the first automaker to introduce foam seat cushions), door-step courtesy lights, rear arm rest (sedans) and gold etched lettering on the dash board panel.
ed "Monobuilt" construction or "step-down" automobile. The new models were designed by Frank Spring and car styled by Betty Thatcher, "the first woman designer to be employed by a car manufacturer".
The cars had a light, but strong semi-unit body with a perimeter frame. Because of the encircling frame, passengers stepped down into the vehicles. Hudson's step-down design made the body lower than contemporary cars. It offered passengers the safety of being surrounded by the car's chassis with a lower center of gravity. In addition to the added safety of being surrounded by the car's chassis, the step-down also allowed Hudson to gain weight savings provided through unibody construction, making for a well-performing automobile. The cars featured slab-sided bodies with fully integrated fenders. Brougham and sedans were fastback
s while convertibles and coupes were notchback
s. A character line ran from the front to back further lowering the car even more visually, so "the new Hudson looked like a dream car straight from the auto show."
In 1948, Commodores came in one series, and were available in either I8 or I6 power. Interiors were upholstered in broadcloth on sedans, leather on convertibles. Again, Hudson continued to provide numerous standard features that other manufacturers classified as upcharge options. Commodore Eight production rose to 35,315 units.
as an optional transmission.
pushed ahead with the firm's plan for the Jet compact
.
Beginning in 1953, Hudson would field only the Hudson Hornet
and Hudson Wasp
line, and introduce the ill-fated Hudson Jet
compact car line.
to form American Motors Corporation
(AMC) in 1954, Hudson automobile production was switched to AMC's facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin
. Following a weak 1955 model year, AMC chose to hand over the Hudson styling contract to Richard Arbib
, who created a unique look for the Hudson line based on what he termed as "V-Line" styling. The move failed to attract new customers to Hudson, and production fell beneath the brand's disastrous 1955 model year product.
In its final year, the Hudson brand was pared down to a single model, the Hudson Hornet
in two trim levels, the top-level Custom and the Super. However during the show car season, AMC issued a one-off 1957 Hudson Commodore show car
that was identical to the production Hornet, but featured gold exterior trim and special upholstery.
Hudson Motor Car Company
The Hudson Motor Car Company made Hudson and other brand automobiles in Detroit, Michigan, from 1909 to 1954. In 1954, Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation to form American Motors. The Hudson name was continued through the 1957 model year, after which it was dropped.- Company strategy...
of Detroit, Michigan between 1941 and 1952. During its time in production, the Commodore model represented the largest and most luxurious Hudson model.
1941
The Commodore and the Commodore Custom names debuted in Hudson's 1941 model line. Commodore models rode exclusively on the 121 inches (307 cm) wheelbase, while Commodore Customs rode either on the company's 121 in (307 cm) wheelbase for coupes, or 128 in (325 cm) for sedans. The Commodore was powered by Hudson's 202 CID I6 producing 102 bhp, or by Hudson's 254.4 CID I8 that produced 128 bhp.The Commodore series was Hudson's largest model range in its debut year, consisting of sedans, coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
s, and convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
s. Hudson used a forward hinged hood that opened from the rear by the windshield with the front end of the hood sliding downward over the grille.
1942
For 1942, the cars received a facelift. This included concealed running boards, modestly enlarged front grilles, and external trim arrangements. Hudson offered an optional "Drive-Master" vacuum assisted clutch and servo-operated transmission with three modes: "automatic" shifting and clutching, automated clutching only, or fully manual.The firm promoted its economy over luxury during the shortened model year that ended in January, 1942, as U.S. war production accelerated.
1946
Hudson began its postwar automobile production on August 30, 1945. Body styles were trimmed to Sedan, Club Coupe, and Convertible. The designs were based on the 1942 models. There were minor cosmetic changes from the pre-war versions with one exception, the car's grille now had a concave center section.Hudson automobiles were more fully equipped than competitive makes, and all Hudson models received door arm rests, twin air-horns, ashtrays, windshield wipers, stop lights, locking glove box, sealed beam headlights, and deep pile carpeting. Commodore and Commodore Customs added foam rubber
Foam rubber
Foam rubber refers to rubber that has been manufactured with a foaming agent to create an air-filled matrix structure. Commercial foam rubbers are generally either polyurethane foam or natural foam rubber latex. Latex foam rubber, used in mattresses, is well-known for its endurance.-See also:*...
seat cushions (Hudson was the first automaker to introduce foam seat cushions), door-step courtesy lights, rear arm rest (sedans) and gold etched lettering on the dash board panel.
1947
Production of the 1947 Hudson Commodore Eight increased to 12,593 from the previous year's 8,193.1948
Introduced in December 1947, the Hudson Commodore was one of the first new-design postwar cars made. The 1948 model year inaugurated Hudson's trademarkTrademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
ed "Monobuilt" construction or "step-down" automobile. The new models were designed by Frank Spring and car styled by Betty Thatcher, "the first woman designer to be employed by a car manufacturer".
The cars had a light, but strong semi-unit body with a perimeter frame. Because of the encircling frame, passengers stepped down into the vehicles. Hudson's step-down design made the body lower than contemporary cars. It offered passengers the safety of being surrounded by the car's chassis with a lower center of gravity. In addition to the added safety of being surrounded by the car's chassis, the step-down also allowed Hudson to gain weight savings provided through unibody construction, making for a well-performing automobile. The cars featured slab-sided bodies with fully integrated fenders. Brougham and sedans were fastback
Fastback
A fastback is a car body style whose roofline slopes continuously down at the back. The word can also designate the car itself. The style is seen on two-door coupés as well as four-door sedans.-History:...
s while convertibles and coupes were notchback
Notchback
Notchback is a styling term describing a car body style, a variation of three-box styling where the third distinct volume or "box" is less pronounced — especially where the rear deck is short or where the rear window is upright...
s. A character line ran from the front to back further lowering the car even more visually, so "the new Hudson looked like a dream car straight from the auto show."
In 1948, Commodores came in one series, and were available in either I8 or I6 power. Interiors were upholstered in broadcloth on sedans, leather on convertibles. Again, Hudson continued to provide numerous standard features that other manufacturers classified as upcharge options. Commodore Eight production rose to 35,315 units.
1949
For 1949, the Commodore line was enlarged to include more luxurious Custom models. As a marketing promotion, Hudson had plastic specialists use scaled-down blueprints to develop transparent models of the Commodore Eight sedan to demonstrate and promote the design and construction of the cars.1950
There were only nominal trim changes on the exterior of the cars in successive model years. A new a Custom Commodore convertible model debuted in mid-April 1950.1951
In 1951, Hudson introduced a new I6 engine and offered General Motors' Hydra-MaticHydramatic
Hydramatic was an automatic transmission developed by both General Motors' Cadillac and Oldsmobile divisions. Introduced in 1939 for the 1940 model year vehicles, the Hydramatic was the first fully automatic mass-produced transmission developed for passenger automobile use.-History:During the...
as an optional transmission.
1952
In its final year in 1952, the Commodore was split into a Six series and an Eight series. The exterior received another trim change, but by the end of 1953, the Step-Down styling was beginning to look outdated. Instead of redesigning the senior Hudsons, company President A. E. BaritA. E. Barit
A.E. Barit was an American industrialist who served as the President and CEO of the Hudson Motor Car Company from 1936 to 1954 when Hudson merged with Nash Motors to form American Motors Corporation...
pushed ahead with the firm's plan for the Jet compact
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
.
Beginning in 1953, Hudson would field only the Hudson Hornet
Hudson Hornet
The Hudson Hornet is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1951 and 1954. The Hornet was also built by American Motors Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin and marketed under the Hudson brand between 1955 and 1957.The first-generation Hudson...
and Hudson Wasp
Hudson Wasp
The Hudson Wasp is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1952 and 1954. The Wasp was also built by American Motors Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin and marketed under its Hudson brand for model years 1955 and 1956.- 1952–1954 :The Wasp was...
line, and introduce the ill-fated Hudson Jet
Hudson Jet
The Hudson Jet was a compact automobile produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan during the 1953 and 1954 model years. The Jet was Hudson's response to the popular Nash Rambler, and Hudson, with its limited financial resources, chose to pursue a compact instead of refurbishing...
compact car line.
1957 showcar
Following Hudson's merger with NashNash Motors
Also see: Kelvinator and American Motors CorporationNash Motors was an automobile manufacturer based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the United States from 1916 to 1938. From 1938 to 1954, Nash was the automotive division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation...
to form American Motors Corporation
American Motors
American Motors Corporation was an American automobile company formed by the 1954 merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.George W...
(AMC) in 1954, Hudson automobile production was switched to AMC's facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
. Following a weak 1955 model year, AMC chose to hand over the Hudson styling contract to Richard Arbib
Richard Arbib
Richard Arbib visionary American industrial designer.-Family:Richard Henry Arbib was the son of Robert Simeon Arbib, Sr...
, who created a unique look for the Hudson line based on what he termed as "V-Line" styling. The move failed to attract new customers to Hudson, and production fell beneath the brand's disastrous 1955 model year product.
In its final year, the Hudson brand was pared down to a single model, the Hudson Hornet
Hudson Hornet
The Hudson Hornet is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1951 and 1954. The Hornet was also built by American Motors Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin and marketed under the Hudson brand between 1955 and 1957.The first-generation Hudson...
in two trim levels, the top-level Custom and the Super. However during the show car season, AMC issued a one-off 1957 Hudson Commodore show car
Show car
A show car, sometimes called a dream car, is a custom-made automobile created specifically for public display, rather than sale. They are shown at auto shows and other exhibitions.Show cars generally fall into one or more of three categories:...
that was identical to the production Hornet, but featured gold exterior trim and special upholstery.