In Pixar's Cars, Doc Hudson was once the famous race car known as the Hudson Hornet.
Doc is introduced as Radiator Springs' local doctor and judge, but Lightning McQueen eventually learns that he has a remarkable racing past. He competed as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet and won three Piston Cups during the early 1950s.
His career ended after a crash during qualifying for the 1954 season. Although Doc survived, the racing world quickly moved on to newer competitors. He became bitter about being forgotten and initially rejects Lightning's enthusiasm for racing.
The character is inspired by the real Hudson Hornet, a celebrated American automobile that won major stock-car races in the early 1950s. Paul Newman supplied Doc's voice in Cars, one of his final major voice performances.