EDUC, Alta. — It could be said that Ryan Ankney’s blood is Type H — in reference to his zealous fascination with the Hudson automobile, particularly the Hornet models. While growing up, Ankney “rode many a mile” in his dad’s Hudsons, which were bought new, off the dealer’s lot.
Beginning with a 1948 model, Hudsons became “the car of choice” for the family, Ankney said, recalling that he liked to lie on the package shelf behind the rear seat, looking out through the back window. Ankney said, recalling that he liked to lie on the package shelf behind the rear seat, looking out through the back window. Ankney has owned some collector cars over the years, but only lately has he become a dedicated “Hudsonite.” He has quickly made up for his late start, however.
The first one he owned was a 1953 Hornet Club Coupe, which he acquired in 2001, weathered but solid, a prime restoration candidate. However, it was sold unrestored in 2003, after Ankney found a white-over-black car, the same year and model, but in exceptional condition.
Originally from California, then kept in Boston, Mass., this handsome Hornet was the proud possession of Ernest Yeaw, 84, of Tatamagouche, N.S., for over 20 years. But the time had come for him to let it go, so Ankney was trusted as its next guardian. It got hauled into Ankney’s enclosed, Hudson-decaled trailer, and travelled clear across the country to its new home in Prince George, B.C.
The car’s delightful condition is original except for a decades-ago paint job. It had only 68,000 miles and was equipped with options such as an automatic transmission (an original-equipment, GM four-speed Hydramatic), fog lights, spotlight, visor, radio, tissue dispenser and Twin-H Power. That refers to twin single-barrel carburetors and twin intake manifolds on the Hornet’s exclusive 160-horsepower, 308-cubic-inch, L-head straight-six engine (the industry’s biggest six).
Hudson introduced the new Step-Down design on the 1948 lineup. It featured a floor pan that sank down between the outer frame rails. (The norm was a flat floor set high atop the chassis.) This provided vast interior space and a low centre of gravity for superior handling. The Monobuilt body and frame construction encircled the passenger compartment within its girder framing, resulting in a high level of occupant safety. The rear seat was positioned ahead of the rear axle, offering comfort unavailable in the competition’s above-axle placement.
Hudson’s styling also caused a sensation. Sleek and streamlined, its roofline and trunk surface tapered gracefully to a point, like a missile. (Or, in the Hornet’s case, a stinger.) The smooth, slab-sided body was ultra-modern compared with most other cars’ fender bulges. It was low and long, with narrow, “slit” side glass. All in all, a very uniform design.
The Hornet debuted in 1951, as did the new Hollywood two-door hardtop body style. Its large-displacement six and Twin-H Power made Hornet a hot performer. These were not heavy cars, weighing in at around 3,600 pounds. Other Hudson models were propelled by lesser-capacity straight eight or six engines.
The Hornets were soon tearing up racetracks and achieving seemingly effortless wins. The crown was taken from the mighty Oldsmobile 88, which had been outperforming the field since they first were fitted with their new-in-1949, overhead-valve “Rocket” V8 engines.
This high-compression engine design was a big deal with most U.S. automakers and led to the 1950s horsepower wars. On the racetracks, the V8s excelled on the straights, but the Hornets stayed close. Coming the corners, Hornets passed the other brands as if they were running out of fuel. Its ace-in-the-hole was its supreme cornering ability.
For four years running, Hudson’s Hornet was the unchallenged stock car champion. An incredible 131 first-place finishes were achieved during the 1951 to 1954 race seasons, in NASCAR, AAA and lesser leagues — almost twice as many trophies as the former champ Olds.
The “Fabulous Hudson Hornet” was depicted as “Doc Hudson” in the successful movie Cars, Disney/Pixar’s computer-generated 2006 release. Doc’s voice was provided by actor Paul Newman, who recently died. Because of the film’s widespread popularity, there are perhaps more children than adults who can identify a Hudson Hornet. The movie honoured Hudson’s historical racing victories and educated a vast audience spanning a wide range of ages.
Ankney saw it “the minute it showed up at the theatres,” and he says his grandson has probably watched the DVD version 150 times. The sequel, Cars 2, in production and is expected for a 2011 release. One assumes that it will include a tribute to longtime car racer Newman by honouring Doc Hudson.
Ankney showed his Hornet at the 2007 Alberta Heritage Exposition Park in the Leduc West Antique Society’s annual exposition, along with a number of other Hudsons. He returned with it for the 2008 show, this time with a newly rebuilt engine. (Compression had become low in one cylinder.)
Thus far, the car has given Ankney 1,500 enjoyable miles of travel, 350 miles of which was with the fresh engine. “I don’t mind if it gets a few bugs in its teeth,” said Ankney of the car he likes driving as much as showing.
In the few years since buying this one, Ankney has collected a swarm of 10 Hornets, some for restoration, some for parts. They range from 1952 to 1954 model years and represent all body styles. One 1954 Hornet coupe is an ex-race car, just brought home from California. All are sheltered from nature’s elements in garages.
Ankney’s 1953 Hornet convertible is about to undergo a concourse restoration, with a planned debut at the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club’s 2010 National Meet in Spokane, Wash. The black Hornet will appear at the 2009 meet in Pontiac, Mich., to commemorate Hudson’s 100th anniversary of incorporation and the 50th anniversary of the club.
Ankney is a member of the thriving club, which has more than 4,000 members in chapters around the world. “Hudson folks are the friendliest lot one could imagine,” said Ankney.
Ankney, 64, is such an avid “Hudnut” that he maintains a website, www.hudson collector.com, a true Hudson information sharing network. Ankney encourages tips from participants about Hudsons spotted for sale. In fact, he’ll soon add a group of three more Hornets to his nest.
Ankney is always on the Hudson hunt. “I’ll go anywhere for a Hudson,” he said. “If I hear about it today, I could be headed for it tomorrow.”
His enthusiastic devotion to the cause helps keep Hudson history alive. The last Hudson built was a 1957, but it is the 1951-54 Hornets that are regarded as among the most significant American motor cars of the postwar era. The final words are Ankney’s: “I’m having fun restoring and preserving Hudsons for future generations.” For more information on the history of the Hudson, go to www.hudsonclub.org.
© Copyright (c) Driving
