This week’s announcement of the Dodge Hornet’s demise reminded us that the name Hornet had already been used in automotive history. In fact, some will be surprised to learn that its first use takes us back nearly 100 years, to the heart of the British automotive industry.
The Hornet name first appeared 95 years ago.
Dodge has held the rights since 1987.
The version offered by Hudson in the 1950s remains the most popular.
In reviewing the history of this name, one thing struck us. Excluding the 1930s model we didn’t really know here, the Hornet models have shown us, throughout history, the best and the worst of the automobile.
Therefore, it is the perfect time to look back and discover (or rediscover in some cases) the models that have carried the Hornet name, starting with that small English car launched by the Wolseley company in 1930.
1 – Wolseley Hornet (1930-1936)
In April 1930, Wolseley introduced a small lightweight car equipped with a 6-cylinder engine of only 1.3 liters (you read that correctly). The model benefited from a chassis from the Morris Minor company, which had acquired Wolseley in 1927. Management then decided to develop a small 6-cylinder engine to offer a dynamic, affordable sports car. Interesting fact: this engine would serve as the basis for future 6-cylinder engines found in MG cars (Morris Garages).
The Wolseley Hornet was highly popular, with approximately 32,000 units sold. It even distinguished itself in motorsports.
2 — Hudson Hornet (1951-1954)
The Hornet that has made the most noise in automotive history is undoubtedly the version offered by the Hudson company in the early 1950s. This car’s design was revolutionary at the time, as was its engineering. It featured a lowered floor, meaning you stepped down into the vehicle rather than climbing up into it, as the expression goes. Its lower center of gravity gave it road handling considered exceptional for the time.
At the turn of the 1950s, Hudson was looking for a way to stand out against its major American rivals, and it did so briefly with this model.
Like the British Hornet, the American version achieved great success in motorsports, specifically in the nascent NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) series. Due to its road handling, it was simply dominant, even allowing Tim Flock and Herb Thomas to win the series championship in 1952 and 1953, respectively.
Two- and four-door versions were available, along with a convertible. Under the hood was a 308 cubic-inch inline 6-cylinder, good for 145 horsepower initially. The model was an instant success, selling more than 43,000 units in its launch year of 1951. Sales decreased annually thereafter, reaching nearly 25,000 models in 1954, before Hudson was reorganized (see the next section).
Obviously, for younger people and not-so-young ones alike, the ultimate Hudson Hornet is the Doc Hudson machine in the 2006 Pixar animated film Cars.
3 — Hudson Hornet AMC (1955-1957)
In 1954, Hudson’s finances remained fragile, so a merger with another struggling firm, Nash-Kelvinator, was organized. Thus was born the new AMC (American Motors Corporation).
The newly formed company kept the Hornet name, but the model lost its original chassis, as its new body was bolted onto a Nash platform. Its famous 6-cylinder engine was also abandoned.
Success was not forthcoming. In fact, quite the opposite: sales continued to decline, reaching less than 4,000 in 1957. The company then pulled the plug for the first time.
4 — Wolseley Hornet Mini (1961-1969)
Following the merger of Morris and Austin in the United Kingdom in the early 1950s, the new entity, BMC (British Motor Corporation), inherited the rights to the Wolseley name and, consequently, to Hornet.
In the early 1960s, the company offered the Mini we all know, but also wanted to sell a longer, more luxurious version. It was in this context that the second Wolseley Hornet was born, this time under the BMC banner.
Three iterations of the model succeeded one another during the 1960s, with mixed sales success (nearly 30,000 units).
5 — AMC Hornet (1970-1977)
For the subsequent use of the name, let’s return to North America, still with AMC. Like other American companies, it was time to produce new compact cars at the turn of the 70s, and at AMC, they decided to bring back the Hornet name, this time to designate a model very different from those known during the 1950s.
Interesting fact: by choosing the Hornet name, Roy Chapin Jr., AMC’s CEO at the time, was paying tribute to his father, Roy D. Chapin Sr., one of the founders of the Hudson Motor Car Company.
The AMC Hornet was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1970. The model’s structure would serve AMC until the late 1980s.
The Hornet, offered in various configurations, would change name in 1978, becoming the AMC Concord.
Another interesting fact: a 1974 AMC Hornet was used for the famous James Bond “The Man with the Golden Gun” stunt, during which it performed a corkscrew barrel roll jump.
6 — Dodge Hornet Concept (2006)
It would take nearly 30 years before the Hornet name reappeared, but it would be brief. In fact, Dodge presented a concept bearing this name in 2006. The vehicle was compact, had the look of a small SUV, and adopted a style that mixed current trends with futuristic lines.
And why does the name appear at Dodge at this point in history? We must remember that in 1987, Chrysler acquired AMC, inheriting in the process all the model names then belonging to what was known as the fourth American manufacturer.
The model was a project intended to seduce Europe. We must also remember that at this point in history, Chrysler’s partner was Daimler. The model was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show.
Unfortunately, the product would never come to fruition due to the 2008 financial crisis, followed by Chrysler’s bankruptcy the following year. There was an attempt to revive the project after the merger with Fiat, but the Hornet never materialized.
7 — Dodge Hornet (2023-2025)
And this brings us to the most recent one, unveiled to us in August 2022, with first drives in March 2023, and now out less than 3 years after its debut. We must point out poor execution, in part, but especially a price range that never gave it a chance.
And due to President Trump’s tariffs, the model, manufactured in Italy, is hit with customs fees that make it even less attractive.
Conclusion
There you have it, in a few words, the brief history of the Hornet name in the automotive industry. Between its first and last use, at least 95 years will have passed. Will we see this name again on a model one day? We should never say “never,” but it would be surprising if Dodge revived it after the last two failures. If the nameplate changes ownership in the future, it may have another chance. Who knows.
