you are correct, the hood orn. is that of a '53, "WASP" signs on front fenders & trunk denote that model

This photo shoot is a rarity - usually we have 1 photo that really doesn't show much detail. The car appears to be fairly new as shinny as it is. I get the biggest kick out of seeing the girls all dressed up - compare to todays kids running around in tattered jeans and t-shirts with slogans that announce to the world the wearer is an idiot. Notice also the ladies are dressed up to go visiting. Also rare in this day and age among the current generation. It was an "era" thing. True story - my youngest daughter was, oh, 2 or maybe 3 years old so this would have been around 1973. My good friend, Mike Elwell, and his mother arrived for a visit as they were in the area (they lived in Mass. - I lived in Maine at the time). Mike's mother was dressed to the 9's, as we used to say - summer frock, white gloves, summer hat. I will forever have the scene in my mind of her down on the floor of my living room, in all her finery, playing with the baby.

Hudsonly,
Alex B

Cute pictures!

There's probably a 95% chance that it no longer exists. But even if you were standing in front of the actual car, without the serial number you would have no way of knowing if it was "the one". Only possible way to trace it would be to learn where and when and to whom it was sold, and then to contact that person's relatives to see if they know what became of it.

Thanks guys,
I'll keep looking for clues to find what I'm after.

I've been researching online some of the options that were available- it looks like grandpa's Super Wasp did not include the backup lights ($24) or the wheel trim rings ($15).

Can anyone tell me- are these the custom wheel discs, which were a $18 option? Or were these standard wheel covers?

it looks like it's a very basic model, doesn't have trim rings either, as to the hubcaps, those are the larger ones used on Hornets so may have been an option on the Wasp series.
I was wondering if it was stick shift, perhaps o.d.?

wonder if he bought it "off the showroom floor" or ordered it?
I worked at smalltown Ind. dealership in '53 & '54 which could only "floor" one car & it was always a Hornet sedan (my dad bought a '53 H sd. off the floor). When I started collecting & restoring Hudsons used to go back to my hometown, visit my parents, and see him. He became a dealer right after the war & from '46 to '54 NEVER sold a conv. & I don't think he ever sold a Hollywood either, did sell a couple of Hornet coupes to guys who were performance oriented (I esp. remember a guy who owned a bakery in Warsaw who always wanted to latest hot cam, or cyl. head, etc.).

As stated definately 53 Wasp, even though it may have been a"plain jane" it has the Twin H option.

Jim, which leads me to think he may have ordered it as that would have the 262 engine. Wonder if guy knows/remembers if it was stick or Hydro? Also has radio & being in Ohio would have heater, but big hubcaps without trim rings, just seems like the man ordered it as don't think a dealership would order one like that & hope to sell it.??????????

The '53 Super Wasp came standard with the larger hub caps like used on the Hornet

Looking at the first pic you can see the shift handle knob. If it was a Hydro it would most likely not be seen as most put it in reverse to lock the trans.

Tom B.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I have no memory of the car to determine the tranny as I am 36 years old. Not sure how long he drove the car, but knowing him, he kept it on the road with duct tape and twine like he did with most mechanical things! I enjoy building model cars and with the release of the 1:25 scale Hudson Hornet and Hornet convertible by Moebius, my obsession with my grandpa's Wasp grew exponentially. Then my Aunt found the photos you see above.

Not sure if I am clear, because I cannot read the badge on the fender- is my grandpa's car a Wasp or a Super Wasp?

Here is the one Hornet model I have completed
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Awesome job on that model, Jeff. For a second I thought it was the real thing. Wish I had that talent, but years and arthritis in my hands would make it difficult at best.

Hudsonly,
Alex B

This would be the 1953 Hornet Coupe. Now you have one Hudson built, it is time to go out and find one and build it and put this model in the back window package shelf.

Great looking model, Jeff!