Doc Hudson is revealed to have been the Fabulous Hudson Hornet in Pixar’s Cars.
Doc is the town doctor and judge in Radiator Springs, but his earlier life was far more famous. He was a champion racing car known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. In the film’s history, Doc won three Piston Cups and became a celebrated racer before a crash ended his career. He later became frustrated when the racing world moved on and younger competitors treated him as obsolete.
Doc’s past helps explain why he initially resists Lightning McQueen’s attention and refuses to become McQueen’s crew chief. Eventually, he recognizes McQueen’s ability and agrees to help him. The Fabulous Hudson Hornet is based on the real Hudson Hornet, a car associated with stock-car racing success in the early 1950s. The King, by contrast, is a different veteran racer and carries the number 43.