1909 to 1935

• The Hudson Motor Company was started by department store owner Joseph L. Hudson. The first year it made 4,000 cars. By 1929 it was making 300,000 automobiles a year. In 1932 the new model was introduced by famed flier Amelia Earhart.
  
  

1936 to 1950

• During the Depression and war years, Hudson introduced a string of innovations in style, transmissions and suspensions that made the car a huge financial success. One of the most daring innovations during this period was hiring the first female automotive designer: Betty Oris, in 1939.
  
  

1951 to 1954

• These "first generation" Hudson Hornets are the ones that collectable car author Richard Langworth describes as "the industry greats." Classic car collector Jay Leno lists these in his book "The Top Ten Most Collectable American Cars."
  
  

1954 to 1957

• The "second generation" Hudson Hornets were really Nash manufactured automobiles with the Hudson Hornet name. They did away with the "drop down" design and the sleek streamlining--including the enclosed rear wheels. The company folded in 1957.