The 1953-1954 Hudson Super Wasp was a luxury expansion of the shorter-wheelbase, full-size Hudson series. This full line included a convertible and Hollywood hardtop.
As in previous years, there were no Step-Down wagons, which would have helped the firm's sales -- they declined each year the design continued without significant change. One of the problems was that the Step-Down was difficult and very expensive to alter.
Hudson did manage a fairly extensive reskinning operation for the Step-Down's final year, however, with a more contemporary square-sided look that did away with the very '40s "torpedo" lines. The Super Wasp was distinguished from the regular Wasp by an air-vent hood ornament and appropriate script on the glovebox door, trunklid, and front fenders above the bodyside moldings.
The '54 models had a more powerful version of the Hudson six with slightly greater displacement.
Pluses of the 1953-1954 Hudson Super Wasp:
- A bit more compact, easier-to-handle Step-Down
- Overshadowed by the mighty Hornet, so less expensive
- Quality construction and materials
Minuses of the 1953-1954 Hudson Super Wasp:
- Lower appreciation than Hornet
- Not too many around now
Production of the 1953 Hudson Super Wasp:
Conv, 50; Hollywood 2d htp, 590 (estimated); 17,792 (incl. 1953 Wasp combined production)
Production of the 1954 Hudson Super Wasp:
11,603 (incl. 1954 Wasp combined production; no separate figures available)
Specifications of the 1953-1954 Hudson Super Wasp:
Length, inches: 201.5
Wheelbase, inches: 119.0
Weight, pounds: 3,455-3,680
Price, new: $2,413-$3,048 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1953-1954 Hudson Super Wasp:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| sv I-6 | 262 cid | 127 | 1953 |
| sv I-6 | 262 cid | 140 | 1953 |
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