Hudson Hornet built on a shorter and slightly lighter Statesman/Wasp four-door sedan and two-door hardtop platform with Hornet trim. The 1956 design failed to excite buyers and Hudson Hornet sales decreased to 8,152 units, of which 6,512 were four-door sedans and 1,640 Hollywood two-door hardtops. In 1957, the historic Hudson name came only in a Hornet version in "Super" and "Custom" series, and available as a four-door sedan or a two-door "Hollywood" hardtop. For the second year the V-Line styling featured an enormous egg-crate grille, creases and chrome strips on the sides, and five tri-tone schemes for the Custom models. There was
Hudson Hornet more ornamentation to the cars, including fender "finettes" atop the rounded rear quarter panels for 1957, as well as very unusual twin-fin trim on top of both front fenders. The price was reduced and the power was increased by way of AMC's new V8 that was rated at with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. Consumers reacted by buying only 4,108 units. Production of the Hornet ended on June 25, 1957, at which time the Hudson marque was dropped and all of AMC's products took the "Rambler" name. The 1951 Hudson Hornet was selected as the "Car of the Year"