Hudson Commodore
Hudson's senior step-down series — the platform the Hornet itself was built from, offered with both six- and eight-cylinder power.
Introduced alongside the rest of Hudson's revolutionary step-down lineup in 1948, the Commodore was the brand's premium series, offered with a choice of six-cylinder or straight-eight power and positioned above the mid-range Super and Pacemaker. It shares its innovative low-slung unibody construction with the more famous Hornet, but with a broader range of engine and trim choices for buyers who wanted Hudson's handling without the Hornet's more overtly performance-oriented image.
History
The Commodore launched in 1948 as part of Hudson's complete step-down redesign — a genuinely new unibody platform that lowered the whole car's center of gravity by seating passengers within the frame rails rather than above them.
Available with both a 262-cubic-inch inline-six and a 254-cubic-inch straight-eight, the Commodore gave buyers a choice unusual for the era — most competitors offered one engine family per model line, not two.
Production continued through 1952, after which the step-down body was extensively facelifted for 1953-54 and the Commodore name was eventually retired as Hudson consolidated its lineup ahead of the 1954 merger with Nash to form American Motors.
Notable Versions
Commodore Eight
The straight-eight-powered version, offering smoother power delivery than the six at a modest cost premium.
Commodore Convertible Brougham
The rarest and most collectible Commodore body style, particularly desirable in good original condition.
Commodore Club Coupe
Two-door body style splitting the difference between the sedan's practicality and the convertible's style.
What to Look for When Buying
Key inspection points from experienced collectors.
Step-down unibody rust affects structure, not just appearance
Same concern as the Hornet — a thorough structural inspection matters more on these cars than on a body-on-frame contemporary.
Straight-eight parts are harder to source than the six-cylinder
If buying an Eight, confirm parts availability and any prior specialist service before committing.
Verify Hydra-Matic condition if equipped
GM-sourced automatics in Hudsons of this era can be costly to rebuild — confirm smooth operation during any test drive.
Inspect convertible-specific structure and top mechanism
The Convertible Brougham sees more stress on its structure than the closed body styles — budget for potential repair.
Check for complete Hudson-specific trim and badging
Given the brand's 1954 discontinuation, trim parts are genuinely scarce compared to surviving Big Three brands of the same era.
Quick Specs
- Engine
- 262 cu in I6 or 254 cu in I8
- Horsepower
- 121 hp (I6) – 128 hp (I8)
- Wheelbase
- 124 in
- Weight
- approx. 3,600–3,800 lbs
- Transmission
- 3-speed manual (overdrive optional); Hydra-Matic automatic optional
- 0–60
- approx. 15–16 seconds
Market Price Guide
Approximate USA asking prices
Hudson Commodore For Sale
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