The first-generation Hudson Hornets featured a functional "step-down" design with dropped floor pan and a chassis with a lower center of gravity than contemporary vehicles that helped the car handle well — an advantage for racing.

[11] The combination of the Hudson engine with overall road-ability of the Hornets, plus the fact the cars were over-designed and over-built, made them unbeatable in competition on the dirt and the very few paved tracks of the 1950s.

[13] In 1952 the "Twin H-Power" version became standard equipment with dual single-barrel carburetors atop a dual-intake manifold, and power rose to 170 hp (127 kW; 172 PS).

[16] For the 1954 model year, the Hornet underwent a major square-lined redesign and to match the look of the compact Hudson Jet that was introduced in 1953.

The front had a simpler grille that complemented the now-functional hood scoop and a new one-piece curved windshield, while the sides gained period-typical fender chrome accents, and the formerly sloped rear end was squared off.

[13] An example is a Hornet owner writing for Popular Mechanics in 1999, noting that "the car's unique, low slung appearance and silky handling earned Hudson an image that — for many buyers — eclipsed luxury marques like Cadillac.

The news that Hudson was in financial difficulties and had been essentially taken over by Nash-Kelvinator to form American Motors Corporation during the 1954 model year was known by the car-buying public.

The updated Hornet Brougham convertible, the only open-top body design available from Hudson was attractive, but was considered overpriced at $3,288 (~$29,604 in 2023) for a six-cylinder car in 1954.

[24] A 1954 Hornet two-door hardtop was customized by Harold Du Charme of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, who was a large stockholder in the automaker.

Changes included a 2.5-inch (64 mm) top chopping and channeling the midsection 4 inches (102 millimetres) as well as repositioned headlamps in an egg-crate grille, twin hood scoops, extended rear fenders with Lincoln taillights, and a continental kit.

The 1955 Hudson senior models were built on the Nash platform with styling themes by Pinin Farina, Edmund Anderson, and Frank Spring.

[29] The new models were delayed to a January 1955 introduction, "as American Motors engineers work out the problem of making two completely different looking automobiles with identical body shells.

For the first time, the Hornet could be ordered with a Packard-built 320 cu in (5.2 L) V8 engine producing 208 bhp (155 kW) and Packard's Ultramatic automatic transmission.

[33] The integrated placement of major air conditioning systems under the hood and the price of only $395 (about half the cost as on other cars) also won praise.

[33] Automotive journalist Floyd Clymer rated the Hudson Hornet as the safest car built in the United States because of (1) the single unit welded body, (2) high-quality braking system with an added mechanical backup system, (3) roadability, general handling, and maneuverability; as well as (4) excellent acceleration and power for emergency situations.

[33] Marketing efforts included incentives such as the "Dealer Volume Investment Fund" and "Sun Valley Sweepstakes" targeting salespeople as well as a contest for the general public with the possibility of new cars and trips to Disneyland as top prizes.

Taking the traditional Hudson tri-angle, Arbib applied its "V" form in every conceivable manner across the interior and exterior of the car.

In the mid-model year, the Hornet Special was introduced featuring a lower price and AMC's new 250 cu in (4.1 L) 190 hp (142 kW) V8 engine.

[35] The 1956 design failed to excite buyers and Hudson Hornet sales decreased to 8,152 units, of which 6,512 were four-door sedans and 1,640 Hollywood two-door hardtops.

[31] In 1957, the historic Hudson name came only in a Hornet model in either "Super" and "Custom" trims available in a four-door sedan or a two-door "Hollywood" hardtop body styles.

For the second year, the V-Line styling featured an enormous egg-crate grille, creases and chrome strips on the body sides, and was available in one of five tri-tone schemes for the Custom models.

The price was reduced and the power was increased by way of AMC's new 327 cu in (5.4 L) V8 that was rated at 255 hp (190 kW) with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts.

[37] The Hudson Hornet was sold in foreign markets, either exported as complete cars or locally built from knock-down kits.

[42] From 1954 the Hudson Hornet was built in New Zealand by Auckland company VW Motors as a secondary line to the Volkswagens they assembled.

[43][44] AMC formed an agreement in 1963 with Campbell Motor Industries (CMI) of Thames to assemble Ramblers, production of which ran from 1964 until 1971.

For the 2023 model year, Stellantis resurrected the Hornet name for their new SUV, a version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale marketed in the U.S. under the Dodge brand.

[53] First-generation Hudson Hornets are legendary for their NASCAR racing history and Jay Leno lists the 1951–1954 models as one of the "top ten of America's most collectible cars".