1955 Plant Consolidation

George Romney shut down the Hudson factory in Detroit and Concentrated Hudson and Nash production at the Nash plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to spread the cost of basic tooling over all lines of cars. This move to consolidate production saved the company over $15,000,000 in 1955. American Motors was the only independent auto-maker with this production cost advantage. American Motors was able to deliver new products in record time to dealerships.

1955 Serial Numbers

These serial numbers can help with identification of a vehicle. The Nash serial numbers are unique to the El Segundo, California plant. Nash began production for 1949 models at El Segundo and would sell the plant to Hughes Aircraft, ending production there during the 1955 model year.

The vehicle identification plate for Nash is on the right-hand side of the cowl under the hood.

Nash Serial Numbers

Year	Model	Cyl	Serial Numbers	Plant
1955	Nash Rambler	6	D205,001 and up	Kenosha
1955	Nash Rambler	6	DC15,001 and up	El Segundo
1955	Statesman	6	K635,001 and up	Kenosha
1955	Statesman	6	KC48,001 and up	El Segundo
1955	Ambassador	6	R742,901 - 757,866	Kenosha
1955	Ambassador	6	RC23,001 and up	El Segundo
1955	Ambassador	8	V1,001 - 11,444	Kenosha

Hudson Serial Numbers

Year	Model	Cyl	Serial Numbers
1955	Wasp	6	W-1,001 - W-8,026
1955	Wasp	6	WC-1,001 and up
1955	Hornet	6	X-1,001 - X-7,523
1955	Hornet	6	XC-1,001 and up
1955	Hornet	8	Y-1,001 - Y-7,170

1955 Rambler Production Numbers

1955 would introduce 11 models of the Nash Rambler distributed to Hudson dealers with "H" in the center of the grille and on the hubcaps. This would be the only difference between the Nash and Hudson Rambler.

Series	Body Style	Body Type	Factory Price	Production Total
10	5504	2-dr Utility Wagon		14
10	5512	2-dr Delivery Business Sedan	$1,328	43
10	5516	2-dr Delivery Club Sedan	$1,585	included with same style in other trim
10	5515	4-dr Delivery Sedan	$1,695	included with same style in other trim
10	5516-1	2-dr Super Club Sedan	$1,683	8,979
10	5514-1	2-dr Super Suburban	$1,869	2,379
10	5515-1	4-dr 4-dr Super Sedan	$1,798	15,998
10	5518-1	4-dr Super Cr Cty	$1,807	included with same style in other trim
10	5517-2	2-dr Custom Country Club HT	$1,995	2,993
10	5515-2	4-dr Custom Sedan	$1,989	included with same style in other trim
10	5518	4-dr Custom Station Wagon	$2,098	25,617

1955 Rambler Sales Brochure

Browse the Rambler brochure here on AutomotiveTimelines.

1955 Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon

Rambler Cross Country Report - Motor Life Magazine - May, 1955

Read the driver's report for the new 1955 Rambler Cross Country in this issue. You can even purchase a digital copy of this magazine.

1955 Nash Rambler Custom Sedan

For 1955, Rambler loses the concealed front wheels, which required a large turning radius, and now advertised the Rambler as the smallest turning radius of all family cars in America.

1955 Rambler Owners Manual

1955 Hudson Rambler Station Wagon

The Rambler was sold by both Hudson, and Nash for 1955. Rambler would have 11 models to offer new car buyers, with the only difference being the "H" emblem in the middle of the grille and on the hubcaps of the Hudson models. Even the cost was the same.

1955 Nash Rambler Custom Station Wagon

1955 Nash Rambler Suburban Station Wagon

1955 Nash Production Numbers

Statesman

Series	Body Style	Body Type	Factory Price	Production Total
40 Super	5545-1	4-dr Super Sedan	$2,215	12,877 (Includes Super and Custom)
40 Custom	5545-2	4-dr Custom Sedan	$2,385	Included with Super production numbers
40 Custom	5547-2	2-dr HT Coupe	$2,495	1,395

Ambassador

Series	Body Style	Body Type	Factory Price	Production Total
80 Super	5585-1	4-dr Super Sedan	$2,775	8,805 (Includes Super and Custom)
80 Custom	5585-2	4-dr Custom Sedan	$2,965	Included with Super production numbers
80 Custom	5587-2	2-dr HT Coupe	$3,095	1,775

1955 Nash Ambassador

Like the Hudson Hornet, top of the line Nash Ambassador, could also be ordered with the 320-cid 208-bhp V8 engine built by Packard, with a Packard built Twin Ultramatic transmission. Hot Rod published a great article about the new engine in the August issue. We have it here for you to enjoy.

1955 Nash Ambassador Factory Photos

1955 Hudson Production Numbers

Wasp

Series	Body Style	Body Type	Factory Price	Production Total
35545-1		4-dr Sedan	$2,290	5,551 (Production Total includes all Wasp 4-dr Series.)
35545-2		4-dr Custom Sedan	$2,480	5,551 (Production Total includes all Wasp 4-dr Series.)
35547-2		2-dr Hollywood HT	$2,570	1,840

Hornet

Series	Body Style	Body Type	Factory Price	Production Total
35565-1		4-dr Sedan	$2,585	5,357 (Production Total includes all Hornet 4-dr Series.)
35565-2		4-dr Sedan	$2,780	5,357 (Production Total includes all Hornet 4-dr Series.)
35557-2		2-dr Hollywood HT	$2,880	1,554
35585-1		4-dr Sedan	$2,825	5,357 (Production Total includes all Hornet 4-dr Series.)
35585-2		4-dr Sedan	$3,015	4,449
35587-2		2-dr Hollywood HT	$3,145	1,770

1955 Hudson Print Ad

This print ad announces the comfort, safety, and surging power of the new V-8 engine available for 1955.

1955 Hudson V8

The Hudson Hornet could be ordered with a 320-cid 208-bhp V8 engine for 1955. The new V8 was built by Packard, and coupled with a Packard built Twin Ultramatic transmission. 6,219 Hudsons were built with this optional engine.

Want to learn more about this engine? Look no further than right here on AutomotiveTimelines. We have the Hot Rod magazine scoop from 1955.

Hot Rod Magazine - August, 1955

Read about the new Packard V8 that was used in the American Motors cars (Ambassador and Hornet), design to deployment, in this issue of Hot Rod magazine.

1955 Nash and Hudson models

The Hudson Jet was discontinued as the low-line car after the merger, Hudson and Nash, both advertised as Airflyte cars, continued to focus on interior comfort.

1955 Hudson Hornet Interior

Nash and Hudson Report - Motor Life Magazine - April, 1955

Read the driver's report for the new 1955 Nash and the 1955 Hudson in this Motor Life magazine.

1955 Hudson Wasp

Custom and Super Wasp sedans were part of the Hudson line-up. Wasp were fitted with the 202-cid six-cylinder engine that was used in the deleted Jet line. The Wasp was priced slightly higher than it's Nash counter-part at $2,460. Notice the distinctive two-tone paint scheme.

1955 Hudson Hornet Hollywood

The top of the line for 1955 was the Hudson Hornet Hollywood.

1955 Hudson Hornet Hollywood

The Hudson Hornet could have All Season Air Conditioning, Airline reclining seats, and travel beds for 1955. Notice the model in the factory photo, wearing a bathing suit and holding a themometer showing how hot it is outside.

1955 Hudson Hollywood

1954 - 55 Metropolitan Production Numbers

*Production Total includes all Metropolitan models including 743 built in 1953.

Model	Body Style	Body Type	Factory Price	Production Total
541	Series A	2-dr Convertible	$1,469	13,095*
542	Series A	2-dr HT Coupe	$1,445	13,095*

1955 Metropolitan

The Met was sold by both Hudson, and Nash for 1955, as was the Rambler. See more about the Metropolitan in our Metropolitan Timeline.

Motor Life Magazine - September, 1955

Read the report for the Hudson Italia in this Motor Life magazine. A download is also available.

1955 Hudson Italia concept 4-door sedan factory photo.

1955 Hudson Italia collector card.