In Pixar's Cars, which famous race car is revealed to be Doc Hudson's former identity?

The Hudson Hornet is Doc Hudson's former identity in Pixar's Cars.

Doc initially appears to be the quiet doctor of Radiator Springs, but McQueen discovers that he was once a celebrated race car. As the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, Doc won three Piston Cup championships and set a record for rookie wins in his first season. His racing career ended after a crash, followed by a period of being ignored by the racing world.

The character is based on the real Hudson Hornet, a car manufactured by the Hudson Motor Car Company. The real model was especially successful in stock-car racing during the early 1950s. Pixar used that history to give Doc a believable sporting past and to connect the fictional Piston Cup world with American racing traditions.

Paul Newman provided Doc's voice in the first Cars film. The revelation changes McQueen's relationship with Doc: the young racer begins to respect the older car's experience rather than dismissing him as an obstacle.