Hudson Wasp

Model series

1952-1954

The Wasp ( series 58) was introduced in 1952 as the Hudson Pacemaker series model, where the Hudson Super Custom 1951 superseded. The Wasp was available as 2 - or 4-door sedan, convertible and coupe - "Hollywood" called. The Wasp had the shorter Hudson chassis with 3,023 mm Wheelbase and showed the " step down " body design. He was driven by reduced Hudson - line six- cylinder engine.

21 876 Wasp in 1953 and 1954 produced, the last year before the merger of Hudson with Nash - Kelvinator there were 17,792 pieces.

1955-1956

In his last two model years, the Wasp was a model of the new American Motors Corporation. After completion of production in 1954, the production of Hudson models was completely to Kenosha, Wisconsin, moved to the Nash factory. All Hudson based on the great Nash models, but had an exclusive Hudson styling.

1955 Hudson appeared as a conservative styled car and differed from the great Nash models, mainly due to the front wheel arches and the position of the headlight. There were only a 2 - and offered a four - door hardtop model. While the big Hornet on request with a V8 engine was available, all Wasp were powered by a six-cylinder. The sales figures fell this year to 7,191 pieces because traditional Hudson buyers turn away from the brand because they saw something lower quality than the legendary Hudson models of the past in this car.

In 1956, the AMC management decided to give the Wasp and the Hornet a little more character and thus boost sales. However, this plan failed. The designer Richard Arbib was entrusted with the design of the new models and he gave them a unique look for the 1950s, which he called " V-Line " styling called. He took the traditional Hudson triangle pattern and turned his V-shape in every imaginable form inside and outside of your vehicle. Arbibs front of the vehicle combined the enggewobenen " egg carton Grill" ( a tribute to the Hudson Greater Eight of 1931) with the above set V in a prominent place ( a homage to the Hudson Italia 1954 ). In conjunction with the three-color paint the appearance of the new Hudson was typical. However, an attempt at a better Hudson images failed; the extravagant styling of the Wasp did not convince the customers and sales fell last year of production to 2,519 pieces.

1957, AMC 11 of 15 Hudson models on even the Wasp and the damage caused by badge - engineering models Metropolitan and Rambler. So it was only the Hudson Hornet in two body styles and two trim levels to buy ( the super and luxurious Custom). End of 1957, the brand name of Hudson disappeared from the market, since only the AMC Rambler models and - focused on the Metropolitan and the Ambassador - a lesser extent.

Swell

• John A. Conde: The American Motors Family Album. American Motors Corporation, Detroit, 1987, ISBN 1-11157-389-1.