The Hudson body construction was interesting too. Billed as "step down
design" the cars were channeled around the frame rails as part of the
design. A radical departure for the day. That alone gave them an
advantage of a lower CG for NASCAR. They were winners on the early
NASCAR circuit. Better shock absorbers made a HUGE difference in the
handling when they were new cars, the factory did the buyers no favors
on shocks. Roomy interiors too ... a friend claims he would never
have been married the first time if the front seat on his Hudson Hornet
coupe hadn't been so wide.
Hudsons raced on the salt for many years. One team out of (possibly)
Astoria, Oregon has been a continuing entry. As Rich indicates they
had a rather long wheelbase and the Hornets were a heavier car, both
advantages on the salt.
The Tubby Racing #425 entry last year was a 1948 Hudson body ... no
idea where they are from however.
Wes
On Jul 21, 2006, at 8:56 AM, Rich Fox wrote:
> The Wasp came out in 52 at 262 ci flathead six and 120 inch wheel
> base. Later (55?) shrunk to 202 cid and 114 wheel base. The Hornet
> came with the 308 flathead six and wheel base of 124, later at 121. Of
> course in '55 and '56 the wildly popular V8 Hornet came with Packard
> built V8 engines. Of 320 in '55 and 352 inches in '56. These were
> early Pro Stock terrors and were ruled illegal in '57 by NHRA in a
> complete capitulation to the big 3. A lot of people don't know that.
> Rich Fox
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Cowle"
> <SCowle@mentorcollege.edu>
> To: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 6:57 AM
> Subject: Hudson Hornet and Hudson Wasp
>
>
>> On Wednesday night I went to a local cruise night and an elderly
>> gentleman and his wife had a beautifully restored Hudson Wasp. I did
>> not get to speak to the man and his wife could not tell me the
>> differences between a Hornet and a Wasp. Can anybody tell me what the
>> main differences and if anyone has raced one in LSR-they look pretty
>> slick for the time period? Scott
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