Despite featuring an inline-six motor, the Hornet provided performance comparable to V8 vehicles of its time. Additionally, thanks to its low center of gravity and precise handling, the Hornet achieved success as a race car.
During the early 1950s, the Hornet surpassed the Oldsmobile 88 as the dominant car in the NASCAR series. Hudson became the first automaker to venture into stock car racing, resulting in the Hornet securing three consecutive championships from 1951 to 1953.
Although the Hornet nameplate remained until 1957, the full-size model underwent a complete overhaul in 1955. As a product of the newly-formed American Motors Corporation (AMC) following the merger of Hudson and Nash, the second-generation Hornet lost its “step-down” privileges. This transformation turned it into a full-size Nash model with distinct Hudson design elements.
Unfortunately, the revised Hornet did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor and quickly faded into obscurity after just three years. The scarcity of these vehicles, combined with their abandonment, makes the second-generation Hornet a rare sight today. The unconventional appearance of the car further contributes to its lack of recognition.
While the 1955 version maintained a relatively conventional look, the 1956-1957 Hornet sported a somewhat controversial design. After a sluggish sales year in 1955 with only 10,000 units sold, AMC executives decided to give the Hornet a makeover. Industrial designer Richard Arbib was commissioned to create a more daring appearance for the Hornet, resulting in the introduction of the “V-Line Styling.” This design incorporated large V-shaped elements into the front fascia. Despite its distinctive look, the design failed to attract customers, with Hudson selling only 8,152 units in 1956 and a mere 4,108 examples in 1957.
Despite being labeled as one of the least attractive cars of the 1950s, the second-generation Hornet holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite vehicles from that era. This is primarily due to my appreciation for unconventional designs and my affinity for lesser-known brands such as Hudson and Nash. Consequently, I feel a surge of excitement whenever I come across one of these underappreciated classics emerging from long-term storage.
This particular 1956 Hornet recently resurfaced in Merced, California after spending several decades off the road. While it displays signs of weathering, it remains intact. Admittedly, it may not be the type of vehicle that many enthusiasts would choose to restore, but this Hornet is a rare gem.
Out of the 8,152 units produced that year, the two-door coupe configuration, known as the Hollywood by Hudson, narrows down the number to just 1,640 examples. Given that these Hornets are typically found in junkyards as rusting hulks, finding one in this condition is a challenging feat. Therefore, this yellow/white Hornet is currently seeking a new owner.
Unfortunately, due to a poorly written advertisement, there is limited information available. However, the photos depict a relatively well-preserved specimen. Encouragingly, under the hood lies a Packard-built V8 engine.
AMC continued to offer the first-generation Hornet with a 308-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) inline-six engine. However, they also introduced a V8 option in 1955. Since AMC didn’t have their own V8 engine, they turned to Packard and used their 320-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) unit instead. This Packard V8 had a power output of 208 horsepower, which was 48 more than the inline-six. Unfortunately, the Packard V8 didn’t last long and was eventually replaced by AMC’s own 250-cubic-inch (4.1-liter) powerplant in late 1956.
Out of the 1,640 coupes produced in that year, only a very small number received the Packard engine. It is reported that Hudson sold 3,015 Hornets with this engine in 1956, but this figure includes four-door sedans, which were more popular. Therefore, it is estimated that there are possibly fewer than 600 coupes equipped with the Packard engine.
However, rarity doesn’t necessarily translate to high prices when it comes to second-generation Hornets. This particular two-door model is available for a modest price of $2,500. To put it into perspective, the highest-priced 1956 Hornet Hollywood ever sold at an auction went for $38,500. So, would you consider giving this garage find a new home?
According to the Source autoevolution.com