The
Hudson Wasp is an
automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit,
Michigan between 1952 and 1954. The Wasp was also built by American
Motors Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin and marketed under its
Hudson brand for
model years 1955 and 1956.
The Wasp
(Series 58) was introduced for the 1952 model year as an upgraded
version of the
Hudson Pacemaker,
replacing the
Hudson Super Custom
models from 1951. The Wasp was available in two and four-door
sedan,
convertible, and a 2-door hardtop designated the
Hollywood.
The Wasp was built on Hudson's shorter 119-inch (3,023 mm) wheelbase
using the company's "step-down" body design with an overall length of
201.5 inches (5,118 mm), and used the larger Commodore's 232 cu in
(3.8 L) 127 hp (95 kW) straight-six engine for improved performance.
Wasp model year production saw
21,876 units in 1953 and 17,792 units in 1954, its final year before the
Hudson merger with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation took effect.
In its final two model years, the Wasp became a
product of the newly formed American Motors Corporation (AMC). Following
the 1954 model, Hudson's Detroit manufacturing facility was closed and
production of Hudson models was shifted to Nash's factory in Kenosha,
Wisconsin. All Hudsons would be based on the senior Nash models, but
would have exclusive Hudson styling.
In 1955, Hudson emerged as a
conservatively styled car, differing mainly from the full-sized Nash by
having full front-wheel cut-outs and headlight placement. Model choices
were limited to a four-door sedan and two-door Hollywood hardtop. While
the senior Hornet could be optioned with a V8 engine, Wasps continued to
be powered by the I6 engine.
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