Jay Leno's Hudson Hornets

0:00 - Intro
0:09 - Jay Leno
4:00 - Jay's Hudson Hornets
11:50 - Driving the 1953 Hudson Hornet
12:52 - Dennis drives the 1953 Hudson Hornet
Jay Leno shows Dennis an 11-ton steam engine, and he takes us back to the '50s and gives us a look at a pair of sweet Hudson Hornets!
S12E02

[@sidolufs1307]

Jay is such a wonderful Motörhead. Some day, this poor man would love a tour of his place. Those hangers are history, and without him it would not have been collected. Thank you, Jay Leno, world’s best Motörhead.

[@landennixon9532]

i guess im asking the wrong place but does anybody know a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.

[@jaggernolan4310]

@Landen Nixon instablaster :)

[@oaooo8691]

I can't believe I am just a few weeks away from getting a 1953 Hudson Hornet Club Coupé in moderate condition. My grandfather died just 2 years ago and he introduced me to the Hudson Hornet 16 years ago when I was just four years old. We always wanted to restore one together. I miss him so much and I think I'll cry every second of the restoration out of joy and sadness at the same time.

[@John-bn7ux]

öäö öö that’s awesome post on KZbin

[@oaooo8691]

@@John-bn7ux thank you

[@allanbeck4634]

61years old here. Did not have the Sunday drives with my parents. Now with my grandparents, that is another story. Loved those drives through the countryside(mostly in the bed of granddad's pick-up) seeing what the neighbors were up to and how this crops compared to ours. I have done this with my children on occasion but they just weren't as into it as I was.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Luv Jay's Hudsons! Thank you for also including Jay's steam engine

[@trackman174]

As a young teenager in the early 60’s I lived and breathed cars. My friends dad had several Hudson’s and if memory serves me right they were a 37 39 51 & 53. I rode in all of them and I liked the 53 the best. His dad also stumbled on to a old Hudson dealership in some obscure town. He bought all of the parts that were still there. He also was a member of the Hudson Essex Tereplane Club.

[@georgec2126]

That really has terrific lines! What a car!👌

[@josephbragg5445]

Thanks Jay for preserving history we all appreciate it ,at least us of the older generation.

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

Jay has just about everything

[@legmaker50]

My dad had a '53 Hornet before I was born. He had a black and white picture of it he kept his whole life. He loved to tell stories about how fast it was back in the day and how it was the best car he ever owned. He's been gone many years now. I sure do miss him.

[@masontucker6344]

“Is that an oil can, or are you just happy to see me?”

[@steveespinola7652]

LoL 😁

[@neildickson5394]

Those old Hudson's were so comfortable and what a great cruiser. Great by- gone days, kids today wouldn't believe the comfy room in a car like this, they'd have to get a mini van to even come close.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

That steam engine is awesome! Great video, thanks! I wish Jay would honk the horn of his cars, I find that a characteristic of it.

[@michaelcuff5780]

Its so cool that Jay still drives these cars around. People still get to see them that way. Not stuck in some warehouse.

[@JackKangaroo1]

This brings back memories. My father's first car was a metallic green 1951 Hudson Commodore 6. It was HUGE inside and we took it on road trips when I was a kid. I remember him telling me how easy it was to steer and he would often steer it with one finger to prove it. Hudson upholstery had a unique scent to it; I think it had mohair seats or something like that. He bought that car when it was a year old and a few years later bought a 1953 Hudson Wasp as a second car.

[@reginalddentry7338]

A very handsome car even 60 years later

[@roopeshmesta456]

All of us will remember... Doc from cars.. FABULOUS HUDSON HORNET🚗...😍

[@edog6504]

YASSS :p

[@behindthewolfseyes]

I'm 33 and I still adore Sunday drives! We'll go for a random spin every week or two.

[@bansheemania1692]

Because we were in a Hurry in our 20s😁. Now here we are, going on 35 ...

[@fergusontea]

I used to do it more but once the kids came along, they didn’t enjoy it as much. Now that they’re pretty much grown up, it’s time to do it again. We do go for drives to find new hiking spots with the dog, so I suppose that counts. 🙂

[@davegriffith32]

Really cool episode! When I was a kid, my dad bought a 1950 four door Hudson as a spare car to learn car repair and have fun. I used to help him work on it and go to Hudson meets. Went to Dayton OH for a meet and took a day to go to the Air Force museum. Got me hooked on planes and I wound up serving in the Air Force partially because of that trip. Another good one was on the infield of the Indianapolis motor speedway. They opened the track for possibly fast, but careful driving, so I got to ride 4 or 5 laps in the Hudson at about 80-90mph. That must have been a red letter day for dad- he was born + raised not too far away and Indy/ NASCAR was life for him and his brothers. It seemed like we were just going average highway speed due to the width of the track and then a '66 GTO went screaming by at well over 100. Awesome car. Both of them. 😁 We had a spot light on the driver's side and the leg room in the back was ridiculous! Just look at the length of the back doors and you get the idea. Still have an unopened can of Hudson transmission oil too!

[@LazyIRanch]

Awww, you had a wonderful Dad! What great memories, thanks for sharing them. Got me thinking of my own Dad. My brother was into guitars and girls, so he had no interest in attending car shows and air shows with Daddy. I was the opposite, he wasn't going without ME! One of my earliest memories is sitting on my Dad's shoulders so I could see over the crowds at these events at 4-5 years old. He took me to see the Blue Angels perform at an airshow, and it became a family joke. Apparently I wouldn't shut up about it, and no one could use the words "blue" and "angel" without me getting excited and asking when we were going to see them again. Sadly, I never did. Now it's on my bucket list.

[@steveprescott4754]

My Dad had a Hornet in the early 60's. Brother and I were 5 or 6 and we still remember that cool car. My Dad backed up over our beloved cat (he could not see it). Jay seems like a really cool, down to earth intelligent guy. Thanks, Jay!

[@pooddescrewch8718]

That 53 Hornet is gorgeous

[@shaundiltz5821]

Jay Leno is a steam engine genius and I can watch him talk steam all day

[@VintageTrailerMagazine]

Love my 1953 Hudson Hornet but wish I had the kind of money Jay Leno does to do it up as nice as his one is! Drool! 😍

[@valariebointy2293]

The discussion of a Sunday drive takes me back. Riding in a 72 Caprice through the mountains in Fall. I still have that 402 and she still does a hard days work. A 45 year old engine untouched! Third chassis and and waiting to wear out this one and go to the next. Tanawanda built a jewel in 1972!

[@danhouy4626]

That's fabulous, just a beautifull car.😊

[@wildbill5670]

I'm a total car nut hoarder. I have 17 cars all need restoration. If I had Jay's money all of them would be restored. Couple of interest: 72 GTO 455 H.O. M22 4spd, 60 Pontiac Bonneville Safari wagon, have a 62 also, 60 Cadillac flat top fully loaded right up to power vent windows, 66 Bonneville Coupe loaded 31K original miles plus many more. Look at the garage he has. Wow!!

[@robertphillips6296]

Another “Fabulous Hudson Hornet” with Twin H Power!

[@franknowakowski3103]

I'm retired from the MT Hwy Patrol. Before my time (WAY before my time) the Troopers had Hudson Hornets. The old guys loved therm. Great video.

[@jamesdavis5096]

No, you drove a 1945 dodge on your first day

[@timanderson5758]

Always enjoy. Thank you

[@geraldmarcus947]

old cars and our generation are so super thank you so much

[@luisestebanr6311]

I love Hudsons too!

[@mikebordeaux8218]

Damn, now I want a Hudson.

[@johnclarke2814]

My grandfather was assistant secretary of the board of directors at Hudsons. He was also their top tax accountant. All we ever had were Hudsons until George Romney closed the plant and grandad lost his position. He was so mad that he went out and bought a Ford Thunderbird which wasnt half the car but was a lot faster.

[@misters2837]

That is absolutely correct...to quote a GREAT movie..."The World Got Itself in a Big Damn Hurry" (people don't ENJOY Driving anymore)

[@joelhill4107]

Dennis, Jay must have a lot of trust in you letting you drive that beautiful car!!

[@williamschaadt8876]

In the late 50's Mario Andretti raced Hudson's at Nazareth speedway, at Nazareth Pennsylvania. My friend Tony denardo worked at a Hudson garage from 1946 till it closed in the 1950's it was located at blue valley drive Bangor Pennsylvania.

[@abbeykroeter]

1832 steam engine! Holy crap! That's so cool... where was THAT thing sitting around? Imagine what else was going on in the world when that steam contraption was being built.

[@AndrewLohmannKent]

Whitworth standardised many measurements and also nuts and bolts in the UK from 1840. I guess the same thing at ab out the same time in USA, France , etc? But it was not until the 1970's that nuts and bolts really got standardised with metrication. We had Bicycle and motor bike standard, Whitworth and British Standard Whitworth plus BA and also US sizes.

[@AndrewLohmannKent]

Newcomen Engine was very much less efficient than this type of modern steam engine. I don't think Stephenson was the first but he lead a big step forward in speed.

[@Steam_City]

Jay has a video of it (and his other steam engines,) on his channel. Also, the Henry Ford museum has a glorious collection of steam engines, even the oldest surviving one in the world from 1752!

[@trobertson1825]

Yeah I remember those Sunday drives

[@OscarLimaMike]

I remember Hudsons one of the most beautiful cars of the early fifties. One of my fathers friends took a burned out derelict that we used to play in and completely restored it. It turned out to be a 1938 Buick McLaughlin Business Coupe. What a beautiful car.

[@MichaelRusso]

You guys are having way too much fun. Those steam engines are very cool. The Hudson Hornet is quite the beautiful cars too.

[@Doomsday971]

"Balls to the wall" actually was a term created in aviation by the pilots. Many planes had knobs or balls for the throttle so to go faster you would push the "ball" to the firewall, thus "balls to the wall". "Balls out" does come from the steam engine though.

[@rogersmith9808]

Mmmm.... Not that I know for sure myself or even that I think Jay Leno walks on water... I think that using the dates of manufacture and use along with logic.... I would tend to believe the oldest machine (in this case the steam engine by a long margin) would tend to be the source of that saying. That IS unless, NO example whatsoever can be found of that saying being in use that predates the aviation time period. All of this of course.... IMHO. 👍

[@victorbunch7725]

@@rogersmith9808 Hi Roger i think your are right on, And by the way a friend of mine has a really decent 50 mod Hudson Conv. I am wondering if you know someone that might be interested in buying it, My friend passed away a yr. ago his family is interested in selling it,,,

[@victorbunch7725]

Buy the way i guess that green car gives meaning to the Green Hornet, I had one when i was 15 yrs old Purple velour interior,

[@MH-vf6he]

I believe you my be mistaken....this term is related to the governor on a steam engine

[@chrismofer]

@@rogersmith9808 i don't think there is a single example predating it's use as referring to 60's military aircraft throttles. It also doesn't make sense with relation to steam governors, as the balls don't get anywhere near any walls, they are simply "out" or "in" or somewhere inbetween.

[@boson2916]

This 1953 Hudson Hornet is a classic car, classy windshield chrome frame 9:33 and stylish dash 9:55.

[@rogersmith9808]

Ahhh..... another episode of "My Friend Jay Leno's Classic Cars"!! 😉👍

[@compactc9]

My parents must have been crazy or living in the past, we always used to go to on drives like that. This was in he 90s... I still love driving just for the fun of doing so.

[@robertgiese4913]

I was lucky enough when in high school to be able to drive my dad‘s 51 Hudson on many an occasion. On one such occasion, I pulled up next to a 1957 Chevy with a power pack. When the light turned green it was as if the Chevy had not been started. I didn’t see him again except briefly in my rearview mirror. When I got to my destination I was surprised that one of the local police officers pulled up next to me and gave me a ticket for exhibition racing. He then told me that I blew the Chevy away and that surprised him. It surprised me too but it may be very happy. Oh, that I had another.

[@johnspeed5900]

The New Jersey State Police used high performance Hudson Hornets. My dad used to say only a fool would try to out run one of those troop cars.

[@PeterEmery]

1950s & 1960s Australian cars often had such sunvisors, they persisted on some models into the 1970s. Very effective in screening the glare & shading the dash.

[@jamesdavis5096]

2:31 balls to the wall. Jay and Dennis both interesting television personalities. And Jay is very informative with these little details that mean an awful lot

[@JohnKorvell]

I love the sound of the hood (bonnet) on the Hornets closing. It's like a piece of sheet metal being dropped on the floor! And the huge bench seats. My dad called them on his Packard SOS seats. Take a hard right turn and they are Scoot Over Sweetie! seats.

[@VSigma725]

Man, I just love the Hudson Hornet. I think part of the reason why I watched Cars was because one of the characters was a Hudson Hornet voiced by Paul Newman. Some company would make a lot of money making brand new replica Hornet bodies over a modern chassis with modern mechanicals. These cars were fast in the 1950s, imagine how fast they would be with modern quick steering, actual handling, and a nice V8 under the hood?

[@MikeLoveBuns]

Enjoy steam engine! 😀😘 Mike from Missouri

[@jesseharper4792]

My uncle use to have one and he said they were good for long distance drives because they didn't overheat like most other cars would in those days.

[@larrymargolis8690]

Learned to drive on a Blue 52 Hornet- My favorite car ever!

[@williamsmith6557]

My dad owned a couple of Wasps back in the 50's/ 60's. They were fine cars but got many, odd looks. Dad said they had chrome vanadium engine blocks. He got rid of the last one when Sears stopped selling parts for it.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

That Hudson Six was a bruiser of an engine that you can run flat out

[@deathmetalmachine]

Just watching two old men talk about their generation and old cars they drove never gets old to watch

[@reginalddentry7338]

Yes the Sunday drive I feel sorry for kids today. Tied to a square box oblivious to the nature and life’s beauty around them.

[@DrogoBaggins987]

Now there is some styling that needs to come back.

[@reginalddentry7338]

I swear some 70-80 cars and more looked like a so so six grade art class designed them.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Leno’s mind amazes me....

[@ronliebermann]

If you’re ever in London, go to the steam engine museum. It’s tremendous.

[@jackpontiac52]

Had a chance to buy a 53 Hudson Hornet in 1979 for $4300 Canadian Funds. It was a nicely restored 4 door with an Automatic.

[@tompinion4138]

Love Hudsons! I had a 1955 Hornet for years with the 308 cu in flathead and twin-H power. Great car! I now have a 1954 Jetliner, though not as big and powerful, it is a joy to own and drive.

[@rakeshchaudhary5190]

I love this guy and his collection and with Dennis the show becomes hillarious Jay's collection is a dream collection and watching it is like dreaming for real

[@BradGryphonn]

I got to see and touch an old Hudson back in the late 80s. I fell in love and have always wanted one. The original Batman (and I think Green Hornet) drove Hudsons.

[@victorbunch7725]

So did ms Daisy,

[@Porsche996driver]

Jays pretty cool, says to imagine the energy of the future it helps to know the past. Steam was huge and renewable.

[@chrishenniker5944]

I bet you can still use a Hudson Hornet as a daily driver. I'd use mine everyday.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

A am an old man now...but 50 years ago, I bought a well-preserved 1959 Rambler American, from the original owner...Three on the tree, vacuum wipers, etc. I loved that car, but as Jay said, these older classics are unsafe!...you would need to install serious safety belts, and hope you are not in a head-on collision anyway...and the single master cylinder brakes need to be upgraded for sure!...Too much needed for most of us to feel safe driving these beautiful cars.

[@Ovahlls]

Thats how they all were! I love vintage cars so much because of their relative simplicity and reliability compared to the plastic filled cars of today

[@michaelstradley4579]

Jay,,,you have all the cool toys,,steam engine,,I just get to have an old hit-miss log cutter,,,we are soo lucky now,,we got chain saws!!!

[@michaelpilot1000]

Jay is right about the "Spear" steering wheel. My grandfather was killed in his 1948 Chevrolet after a head on collision caused by an all night drunken driver early in the morning back in 1954. The 2 reasons he did not survive was first, no seat belts and second his sternum impacting the pointed center of the steering wheel.

[@jaydub5515]

I fell in love with Hornets after seeing a purple Hudson like that green one. It was a 53 or 54 Hudson Coupe, chopped and slammed with a flat spoiler in the back instead of a rear bumper

[@thatguysemperfi171]

It be crazy just to walk his garage with him.

[@youtoo2072]

Nope Always when in its backseat [esp no seatbelts back years ago] we kids just had a room back there to ourselves AND WE WERE TOLD TO ABSOLUTELY BEHAVE!!!!! // I remember the glowing side lights and back dash area... it was Comfy and ELEGANT!!! THE CHROME OH GLISTENING GLEAMING ELEGANCE!!! THESE CARS WERE ROLLING ROOMS!!! L!!! GORGEOUS AND YES FABULOUS!!!

[@mikewinkelman7015]

My father had a Hudson hornet when I was a kid loved that car

[@michaeladamson9000]

Jay ypur still my hero. You do what i wish i could . Thank you

[@robroberts1473]

I love that green Hudson hornet, it just looks so cool.

[@thomascranston8503]

My cousin Dave got our Great Uncles Hudson Hornet. We were at a stoplight when a hot rod chevy pulled up next to us and jeered "want to race". Dave told them he would from 30 MPH. Left that Chevy in the dust. The guy that engineered that Hornet motor moved on to ford and designed the Ford 306 straight 6 which was a great engine.

[@abbeykroeter]

Cooool car, that Hudson. It sounded great. Thanks for sharing!

[@sclogse1]

You may have noticed in the new Scorsese film, The Irishman, De Niro's ride is a gorgeous black Hornet. It's a character unto itself.

[@ericamato3866]

Jay Leno, rules.

[@FLAME4564]

mhm. Infact this often reminds me of some of my fathers older cars he used to have. With names such as a Holden LT Torana, Ford Falcon Ghia (Yellow) and ofc the Ford Futura. Not only do i like things new and old in games but i love new and classic cars

[@stevieseymore75]

Beautiful car love Hudson hornet

[@99Getrdone]

Like learning about classic cars especially the steam cars.

[@williamdayble2139]

I live in australia and love your show and cars. I have a couple of 1980 transit classic motorhomes. Bill

[@tylermccune7092]

There’s a guy in my town has one from the couple years them made the hornet and he drives it all the time. Neat old car, his is kind of a metallic silver.

[@tyrssen1]

Wow -- looks like a giant flywheel engine from the Henry Ford Museum, in the beginning of the vid. And, what cool cars!

[@pencilneck22]

The was at the local track, a Hornet with H-Power. It was called the "The Toad" or the :Green Toad" or something like that. Yeah it was green. He would take of from the line and just smoke the 55 Chevies. It really didn't "launch" it just took off. It wasn't very loud and you could see the driver shifting the three-on-the-tree as he went down the track. Great stuff.

[@ddd228]

I saw that car!

[@dougarmstrong8856]

It was the Green Toad from the north end of Seattle.Lake City I think.

[@Oscarphone]

@@dougarmstrong8856 you may be right. I knew a Doug Armstrong in high school. Was really into MoPars. Is that you?

[@rogerfournier3284]

Jay Leno should teach a class at UCLA: class 101: 1820 to 1892 Pre- revolutionarie mechanical inductions for energy.

[@randyreddig5239]

I'm surprised Jay didn't mention the fact that the Hudson Hornets dominated Darlington due to their unique frame design which had the frame outside the rear tires, it allowed Hudson drivers to be the first to achieve the "Darlington Stripe". Lay the quarter panel up on the guard rail & go round the turn with the pedal through the floor.... Prior to the Hornets drivers stayed away from the rail, afraid it would put them out of the race... After the Hornets other drivers found they could ride the rail & earn their "Darlington Stripes"....

[@POBulkhead]

I love how he has the balls to drive museum pieces down the road.

[@jshdwhite79]

I'd love to have some of the art-work he has hanging around!

[@stephencarrigg4371]

I love the Hornet, one of my favorite models. ever since i saw this episode, i either wanted to see, or maybe own, in the future, a "51 Hudson similar to Jay's. Awesome car Leno!!!

[@alexchettiath3867]

"I'm Dennis Gage, man with the better mustache." That is all I heard throughout the video. Badass car though.

[@Pisti846]

What is with that silly mustache?

[@alexchettiath3867]

An awesome silly mustache that is!

[@leeclark3907]

Alex Chettiath ji

[@LazyIRanch]

I LOVE that epic 'stache! He reminds me of my favorite uncle who was a great artist. I named my son after him. Appropriate, I suppose, as my son has his own distinctive weird facial hair. He has very dark brown hair, but his beard is flaming red and reaching ZZ Topp status. Why be ordinary? lol

[@bodvarson1933]

I grew up watching this show with my dad. I feel bad for the people who don't understand Dennis's mustache.

[@mikemer79]

+Caleb Davidhizar his mustache is anti american

[@bodvarson1933]

mikemer79 pls explain

[@MikeSpike85]

Too bad that he only get views on videos that Jay Leno appears.

[@patrickpelletier6315]

i used to watch the show when i could but i never understood the mustache. when i mention or mentioned Dennis to my dad id always just mention the mustache. if you could tell me what it's all about that would be appreciated though

[@markbowen5215]

The Mad Stash riding, doesn’t seem right 😉 then Jay hands over the wheel 😏

[@BlasphemousBill2023]

Thanks! Love the Hudson's :)

[@fabiang645]

Now that's a dash

[@jmont1031]

Beautiful.

[@willgeary6086]

Hey, I also have a 53 Hornet Club coupe with Twin H, except mine's a Hydra-Matic.

[@LazyIRanch]

OH! Stop it! Your making me so Hornetty! Seriously, that sounds awesome, wish you could post a pic.

[@cadrolls]

I have heard that the Hudsons were one of the nicest riding cars on the road in its day.

[@JohnSchoolingJr]

Ive got a 99 mustang gt whos only job is Sunday family joy ridding. The tradition isn't dead.

[@1flyingdutchman1]

They talk about a sunday drive. When i was young i did that with my grand pa and ma a lot. In my world i have my car fore the fun and by free and not fore jail. That was the spirit back in the days to and fore some still. So im motoring a lot of sundays and doing that now fore some 30 years from the start. And there is nothing more fun than a whole day site seeing in a classic car.

[@Steam_City]

long live steam!