In Pixar’s Cars, what is Doc Hudson’s original name as a racing legend?

Doc Hudson’s identity as a racing legend is the Hudson Hornet.

Doc Hudson is a fictional 1951 Hudson Hornet who once competed as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. In Cars, he serves as Radiator Springs’ doctor and judge before Lightning McQueen discovers his remarkable racing history. Doc won three Piston Cup championships in the film’s backstory.

The character’s design is based on the real Hudson Hornet, an American automobile produced by Hudson Motors. Real Hudson Hornets became famous in stock-car racing during the early 1950s, especially through drivers such as Herb Thomas and Marshall Teague. Pixar used that historical reputation as the foundation for Doc’s past.

Doc is not a Chevrolet Corvette or a Porsche 911. Those are real vehicle models from other manufacturers. His racing number, 51, also refers to the year 1951, the model’s introduction year, and helps distinguish him from Lightning McQueen’s number 95.