“Twin H-Power”became available mid-year with dual single-barrel carburetors atop a dual-intake manifold, and power rose to 170 HP. The hood featured a functional scoop that ducts cold air to the carburetors. The engine could be tuned to produce 210 HP when equipped with the “7-X” modifications. See the 1952 Hudson Brochure HERE.

WASP SIX – SERIES 5B. The new replacement for the Super, the Wasp Six, was built on the Pacemaker platform, though the overall length of the Wasp was longer by 1″, due to the fitment of center rear bumper guards. In terms of market penetration, the Wasp was intended to replace the Super. In terms of market positioning, it was to the Pacemaker what the Hornet was to the Commodore Eight; a slightly more luxurious and more powerful version of the lower priced model.

Standard 1952 Wasp equipment included: Tan special-weave cord upholstery with red and brown stripes; rear compartment carpeting; dark brown leather-grain dash; door courtesy lamps; windup clock; three-spoke steering wheel with half-circle horn ring; arm rests at seat ends, except convertible and Brougham; robe hanger and hand grips on front seat back; friction, not cranked, front ventipanes; windshield and window reveal moldings; rear center guard with license lamp; woven fabric trunk mat; fender skirts; pop-out lighter; dash ash tray and front seat back type in sedans; distinctive Hudson triangle hood ornament; front fender-top ornaments; seat back pockets; side body rub-rail moldings; and twin-strut front grille guard.

COMMODORE SIX – SERIES 6B. The “Hudson-Aire” trim found on the Six included: double rub-rail moldings that ran along the body contour line from the front fenders to the rear fenders, with a downward sweep towards the back bumper; twin-strut grille and arrangement; front and rear center bumper guards; front fender nameplates; rocker sill beauty panels; large DeLuxe hub caps; and taillights styled to form a continuous horizontal trim line. The front fender ‘spear tips’ on Sixes were decorated with a number “6.” Also fitted was the Hudson triangle hood ornament and front fender top ornaments.

Standard equipment on Commodore Six was markedly different than on Eights. It included: six-tone Bedford cord upholstery with tan and brown stripes; leather-grain Durafab trim; rear-compartment carpets; dark brown leather-grain dash; windup clock; three-spoke, half-ring steering wheel; arm rests at ends of all seats, except on the convertible and Brougham; center rear-seat arm rest in sedan, club coupe and Hollywood; pop-out lighter; ash trays at seat ends; dash ash tray. Additional features included: friction, not cranked, front ventipanes; leather-grain window garnish moldings; reveal moldings; woven fabric trunk mat; fender skirts; seat back pockets; front dome lamp–two side lamps in Hollywood hardtop; rear quarter dome lamps in sedan, club coupe and Hollywood; robe hanger and hand grips on seat back.

HUDSON HORNET SIX – SERIES 7B. The 1952 Hornet was once again based on the Commodore Eight – except it was powered by the awesome, high compression 308 CID Six, now available with the dual carb, “Twin-H Power” as a factory installed option.

Special features for the Hornet included: dark Blue or Brown leather-grain window garnish moldings; Hornet “Flying-H” logos on the side of front fenders and rear deck; gold and chrome hood ornament. “Hornet” identifiers were found on front door valance panels. All other interior trim and specifications like the Commodore Eight.

COMMODORE EIGHT – SERIES 8B. As on the Commodore Six, the Eight’s Hudson-Aire trim also included: double rub-rail moldings that ran along the body contour line, from the front fenders to the rear fenders, with a downward sweep towards the back bumper; twin-strut grille and arrangement; front and rear center bumper guards; front fender nameplates; rocker sill beauty panels, as in the Six; and large DeLuxe hub caps and taillights styled to form a continuous horizontal trim line. The front fender ‘spear tips’ on Eights were decorated with a number “8”.

The Commodore Eight had the following upgraded standard equipment from the Commodore Six: Nylon three-dimensional weave upholstery in Tan-Brown with gold stripes or Blue-Gray with blue stripes; foam rubber seat cushions; front and rear carpets; cord type, Durafab covered robe hangers in all models; instrument lighting dimmer switch; DeLuxe steering wheel; electric clock; crank type front ventipanes; printed jute trunk mat; and, of course, the inline eight-cylinder motor.

Of note was that the Commodore models weighed 30 pounds more than Hornets, due to the higher weight of the venerable 8-cylinder L-head engine, now noted for smoothness rather than for performance.

Inline L-head six-cylinder. Chrome alloy block. Displacement: 262 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.5625″ x 4.375″. Compression ratio: 6.7:1. Horsepower: 123 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 195 @ 1600 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: 2-barrel WGD Type Model 776S with L-shaped air horns.

Inline L-head -cylinder. Chrome alloy block. Displacement: 308 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.8125″ x 4.5 inches. Compression ratio: 7.2:1. Horsepower: 145 @ 3800 RPM. Torque: 257 @ 1800 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter two-barrel type WGD model 776S.

Inline L-head -cylinder. Chrome alloy block. Displacement: 308 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.8125″ x 4.5 inches. Compression ratio: 7.2:1. Horsepower: 160 @ 3800 RPM. Torque: 260 @ 1800 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetors: Two Carter one-barrel type WA-1 model 749S.

NOTE: The “7X” race engine began to be available in this year – learn about it HERE.

Commodore Series Eight: L-head eight-cylinder. Chrome alloy block. Displacement: 254  CID. Bore and stroke: 3.00″ x 4.50″ inches. Compression ratio: 6.5:1. Horsepower: 128 @ 4200 RPM. Torque: 198 @ 1600 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter 2-barrel WGD Type Model 773S with L-shaped air horns.