Hudson · 1941–1952

Hudson Commodore

The Hudson Commodore is an automobile produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, commonly described across three generations. All were equipped with a straight-6 or a straight-8 engine and featured Hudson's "Fluid-Cushioned Clutch," a wet-multi-plate system housed in a sealed bell housing. Launched in 1941 as a spiritual successor to the Hudson Greater 8, the Commodore was positioned as the largest and most luxurious Hudson model. Production ceased in 1942 to build materials needed for World War II. Civilian assembly began in 1946, with the second generation Commodore offering more standard features than the competition. The third generation Commodore was introduced for the 1948 model year. This was one of the first brand-new designs of the post-war era and featured the revolutionary unibody "step-down" design combining a low center of gravity, superior handling, and distinctive styling.

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First generation

=== 1941 === Introduced as luxury models, the 1941 Commodores offered a blend of performance, comfort, and style that was marketed as "Symphonic Styling." Hudson introduced interior colors and fabrics that coordinated with the exterior paint at no extra charge. Elements of the interior and exterior were styled by Betty Thatcher, "the first woman designer to be employed by a car manufacturer". The Commodore series was Hudson's largest model range at launch, comprising sedans, coupes, and convertibles. A Commodore Eight station wagon, Hudson's first of this body style, with only about 100 made. The Commodore Series 12 and Series 14 were the junior models to the Commodore Custom Series 15 and Series 17. The junior models debuted in Hudson's 1941 model line. Commodore Series 12 featured an I6 engine, and the Series 14 models came with an I8, with all built on a 121-inch (3,073 mm) wheelbase, while Commodore Customs utilized a 121 in (3,073 mm) wheelbase for Series 15 coupes and a 128 in (3,251 mm) version for Series 17 sedans. The Commodore was powered by Hudson's 202 cu in (3.3 L) I6 producing 102 bhp (76 kW), or by Hudson's 254.4 cu in (4.2 L) I8 that was rated at 128 bhp (95 kW). All included a "Fluid-Cushioned Clutch" in a mineral oil-filled sealed bell housing. Instead of typical dry-plate friction, a single driving plate had heat-treated cork inserts. The oil-soaked cork inserts pressed into the thin metal clutch disc offered smooth, non-jerky engagement while the sealed "Hudsonite" oil-filled system provided continuous lubrication and heat dissipation. Prices listed for the Series 12 coupe started at US$1,028 ($22,502 in 2025 dollars ) to the top level Custom Series 17 8 seven-place sedan at US$1,537 ($33,644 in 2025 dollars ). Hudson designed a forward hinged hood,

Second generation

=== 1946 === Hudson began postwar automobile production on 30 August 1945. The designs were based on the 1942 models but are generally considered to be the Commodore's second generation. The exterior received minor cosmetic changes from the pre-war versions, with one exception: the car's grille now featured a prominent concave center section. All Hudson automobiles were more fully equipped than competitive makes, including standard door armrests, twin air horns, ashtrays, windshield wipers, stop lights, a locking glove box, sealed-beam headlights, and deep-pile carpeting. The Commodore and Commodore Customs added foam rubber seat cushions (Hudson was the first automaker to introduce foam seat cushions in 1939), door-step courtesy lights, a rear center armrest (sedans), and gold-etched lettering on the dashboard panel. Three transmission options were an overdrive unit for the three-speed manual ($88), a $40 "Vacumotive Drive," and a $98 "Drive-Master" with Vacumotive. 1947. The priority was building cars after the war to satisfy market demand, rather than introducing annual design changes for 1947. Moreover, Hudson was in the process of developing a completely new automobile design. Changes for 1947 were limited to the chrome nameplate on the trunk lid, right- and left-side exterior door locks, and a small lip on the triangle medallion housing above the grille. Production of the 1947 Hudson Commodore Eight increased to 12,593 from the previous year's 8,193. The second generation of the Commodore "only lasted two years before its ground-breaking replacement appeared."

Third generation

=== 1948 === Hudson developed a new and radical car design for the third generation of the Commodore that is "often hailed as one of the great post-war designs." Production of the 1948 Hudsons began on 12 October 1947. Introduced on 7 December 1947, the Hudson Commodore was one of the first new-design postwar cars made. The 1948 model year inaugurated Hudson's trademarked "Monobuilt" construction or "step-down" automobile. The new cars were designed by Frank Spring and, in part, by Betty Thatcher, the first female designer to be employed by a car manufacturer. The marketing tagline for the innovative Hudsons was "Now You're Face to Face with Tomorrow." The cars had a light and strong semi-unit body with a perimeter frame. Because of the encircling frame, passengers stepped down into the vehicles. Hudson's step-down design lowered the body below that of contemporary cars. It offered passengers protection by surrounding them with the car's chassis, which has a lower center of gravity. In addition to the safety provided by the car's chassis, the step-down also allowed Hudson to achieve weight savings through unibody construction, resulting in a well-performing automobile. The "monobuilt" or step-down design also required less steel for its production. The cars featured slab-sided bodies with fully integrated fenders. The Brougham and sedans were of a fastback design, while convertibles and coupes were notchbacks. A character line ran from the front to back, further lowering the car even more visually, so "the new Hudson looked like a dream car straight from the auto show." In 1948, Commodores came in one series. They were available in either the I6 or the I8 engine. The Hudson I8 L-head engine originated in 1930. It was considered an advanced design for its time, evolving

Discontinuation

Beginning in 1953, Hudson would field only the Hudson Hornet and Hudson Wasp line, as well as introduce the entirely new Hudson Jet compact car line. Following Hudson's merger with Nash to form American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1954, Hudson's automobile production was moved to AMC's facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Following slow sales of the 1955 model year, AMC turned over Hudson styling to Richard Arbib, who created a unique look for the Hudson line based on what he termed "V-Line" styling. However, the new design did not attract buyers to Hudson, and production fell even further.

1957 show car

In its final year, the Hudson brand was pared down to a single model, the Hudson Hornet, available in two trim levels, the top-level Custom and the Super. However, during the show car season, AMC prepared a one-off 1957 Hudson Commodore show car. It was identical to the production Hornet, but featuring gold exterior trim and unique upholstery.

Station wagon 2007 re-creation

In 1946, Hudson hired an experienced Army illustrator for instruction manuals and training materials. Don Butler assisted with the final design drawings for the upcoming 1948 Hudsons. However, he also sketched unofficial proposals for Hudson that included a station wagon, a pickup, and a town car. Butler's illustrations were an inspiration to build a Commodore station wagon. A 1948 Hudson Commodore Eight four-door sedan served a donor with another car's roof added for the station wagon's rear section. The woodie was hand-made of ash framing with mahogany veneer panels. The car is a modern realization of an unbuilt postwar design.

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