1953 Hudson Jet

Inspired by Nash’s success with its compact Rambler, Hudson adds a new downsized series, the Jet, to its traditional (and ageing) line of automobiles. Well-built, offering a good power-to-weight ratio and good handling, the Jet unfortunately suffers from an upright body with undistinguished styling, thanks to the continuous interference of the company’s management with the work of the design team. Price is also too high, as the construction of the car’s bodies is subcontracted to Murray, by lack of funds for tooling up. In these conditions, sales remain well below expectations… Too bad as cash-stranded Hudson invested $16 millions to develop this car.


Hudson Jet
● Introduction: November 1952. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.3-litre, 104 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.3-litre, 114 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 459 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan.


Hudson Super Jet

● Introduction: November 1952. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.3-litre, 104 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.3-litre, 114 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 459 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan.

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1954 Hudson Jet

Entering into its second year, the Jet still does not sell. Though prices are unchanged, it remains too expensive when compared to the larger automobiles offered by the Big Three, while its tall and narrow silhouette is rather peculiar. Despite the introduction during the year of a strip-down Family Club Sedan with a reduced price tag, Hudson’s board approves a merger with Nash during January in order to avoid bankruptcy - a disastrous situation brought by the Jet itself. The scheduled transfer of Hudson’s production to Nash’s Kenosha plant is announced in May. The last true Hudsons, including the Jet, are produced in October.


Hudson Jet

● Introduction: November 1952. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.3-litre, 104 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.3-litre, 114 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 459 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door “Family Club” sedan (from April 1954), two-door “Utility” sedan, four-door sedan.


Hudson Super Jet

● Introduction: November 1952. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.3-litre, 104 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.3-litre, 114 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 459 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan.


Hudson Jet-Liner
For 1954, Hudson adds a well-appointed Jet-Liner, which unfortunately is even more expensive than the other Jet models.

● Introduction: November 1952 for the original Jet, October 1953 for the Jet-Liner. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 3.3-litre, 104 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engine: inline six, 3.3-litre, 114 hp. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 459 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan.

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Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1953 – 1954

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Hudson (United States, 1909-1957)

1953 Hudson Jet

1954 Hudson Jet

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