In 1947, for the 1948 season, Hudson introduced a new low riding design engineered by Frank Spring and styled by Betty Thatcher. The car was launched as the Hudson Super and the Hudson Commodore, and was nick-named 'Step-Down' because the monocoque body had passengers sitting on a lowered floorpan set down in the frame. The Hornet Six was first offered for 1951 with a new 5,047cc in-line six with an L-head and two twin barrel carbs to give 145hp. This engine powered Hudson to win the 1951 NASCAR championship. A new Hornet Special was introduced at a lower price with the trim and fittings from the shorter Hudson Wasp. In 1954 Hudson joined the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudsons became badge-engineered Nashes for the next 3 years.