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1954 Hudson Hornet 308
The 1954 Hornet was the last Detroit-built expression of Hudson's low-slung Step-Down design. Its new Flight-Line nose, one-piece curved windshield, raised rear fenders, and large vertical taillamps updated a body whose welded single-unit construction still put passengers and mass lower than most contemporary American cars.
The 308 and Twin H-Power
Every Series 7D Hornet used Hudson's 308-cubic-inch L-head inline six. The standard Carter two-barrel version was rated at 160 gross horsepower and 264 lb-ft. Twin H-Power was an $86 option, not a separate model: two Carter WA-1 one-barrels and dedicated manifolding raised the rating to 170 horsepower and 278 lb-ft.
Hudson also sold 7-X competition engine equipment through its parts operation. Period references put the package near 210 horsepower and list a $385 price. That is a separate competition configuration, so Twin H-Power air cleaners or dual carburetors do not establish a 7-X engine.
Transmissions, Axles, and Road Manners
The synchronized three-speed could be ordered with overdrive, while Dual-Range Hydra-Matic supplied four forward ranges through a fluid coupling. Hudson matched the rear axle to the transmission: 4.09 or 4.55 ratios served manual and overdrive combinations, while Hydra-Matic used 3.07 gearing.
Independent coil-spring front suspension, angled rear leaf springs, direct-acting shocks, and front and rear stabilizers worked with the low Step-Down structure. Bendix Duo-Servo 11-inch drums used Hudson's Triple-Safe arrangement, which retained a mechanical reserve system alongside the hydraulic service brakes. Vacuum power assist was optional.
Four Ways to Buy a Hornet
Series 7D included a four-door sedan, Club Coupe, Hollywood Hardtop, and Convertible Brougham. Salon Lounge interiors varied by body: sedans and Club Coupes used coordinated cloth and Plasti-hide, Hollywoods used snowflake nylon cord with optional tri-color treatment, and convertibles used leather with Plasti-hide trim.
The 1954 palette was unusually broad, with 14 single colors and 22 listed two-tone combinations. Green Gold and Lipstick arrived during the model year, while a later paint bulletin discontinued Pacific Blue Green and Royal Red.
Identifying an Individual Car
A Series 7D claim starts with the model prefix and serial plate on the right-front door hinge post. Hudson also stamped the serial on the right frame rail near the dash, and the original engine carried the matching number at the upper-right front face of the block. Those numbers establish more than badges, carburetors, or a fresh paint combination can.
The published 24,833 total combines regular Hornets and the lower-priced Hornet Special. Until a stronger ledger or registry dataset is available, it should not be divided into Series 7D body styles or Twin H-Power and 7-X counts.