Hudson Commodore:
The Hudson Commodore was an automobile produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1941 and 1952 model year. During its time in production, the Commodore model represented the largest and most luxurious Hudson model.
[edit] 1941–1942
The Commodore and the Commodore Custom names debuted in Hudson's 1941 model line. Commodore models rode exclusively on the 121" wheelbase, while Commodore Customs rode either on the company's 121" wheelbase for coupes, or 128" for sedans. Commodore's were either powered by Hudson's 202ci I6 producing 102 bhp, or Hudson's 254.4 I8 that produced 128 bhp.
The Commodore series was Hudson's largest model range in its debut year, consisting of sedans, coupes and convertibles. Hudson continued to use a forward hinged hood which opened from the rear with the nose of the hood sliding downward over the grille.
For 1942, the cars received a facelift of the 1940 and 1941 models. Included in this were concealed running boards, modestly enlarged from grilles, and external trim arrangements. The firm promoted its economy over luxury in the shortened model in the year which ended in January, 1942 for U.S. war production.
[edit] 1946–1947
Hudson began its postwar automobile production on August 30, 1945. Body styles were trimmed to Sedan, Club Coupe and Convertible. Models were based on the 1942 model Hudson with mostly minor cosmetic changes. One exception was the car's grille, which now sported a concave center section.
Hudson automobiles were more fully trimmed than other similar 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 air-foam 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.
[edit] 1948–1952
For the 1948 model, Hudson introduced the "step-down" automobile body. Frame cars place the car body onto the chassis and then the two units are bolted to one another. Because of the added height of the configuration, passengers stepped up and into the vehicles, hence the need for running boards. Hudson's step-down body placed the passenger compartment down inside the chassis, with the car's perimeter frame encircling the passenger compartment. Thus, Hudson passengers stepped-down into the car.
In addition to the added safety of being surrounded by the car's chassis, the step-down also allowed Hudson to take advantage of the weight savings provided through unibody construction, making for a well-performing automobile.
1948 Commodores came in one series, and were available in either I8 or I6 powered fashion. Body styles included two and four door sedans and a convertible coupe. 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.
For 1949, the Commodore line was enlarged, and again included a higher trim Commodore Custom line. 1950-1952 repeated the pattern with nominal trim changes on the exterior of the cars.
In its final year, the Commodore was split into a Six series and an Eight series. The exterior received another trim change, but by the end of the 1951-1952 model year the Step-Down bodies were beginning to look outdated. Instead of redesigning the senior Hudson's, company President A.E. Barit pushed ahead with the firm's plan for a compact Hudson.
Beginning in 1953, Hudson would field only the Hudson Hornet and Hudson Wasp line, and introduce the ill-fated Hudson Jet compact.
[edit] 1957 showcar
Following Hudson's merger into Nash that formed American Motors, Hudson automobile production was switched to the American Motors 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 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 Hudson Commodore show car that was identical to the production Hornet, but featured gold exterior trim and special upholstery. Because Hudson was discontinued after 1957, there was no further expression of the Commodore model name.
[edit] Popular Culture
A 1948 model is the prime chauffeur car in Driving Miss Daisy.
[edit] References
- Gunnell, John, Editor (1976). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-096-0.
- Conde, John A. (1987). The American Motors Family Album. American Motors Corporation. ISBN 1111573891.
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