Known as Doc in the Disney and Pixar animated movie Cars, Doc Hudson was one of the most famous racecars who ever lived. He was known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, #51, before he settled down as the physician in the small town of Radiator Springs. As the Hornet, he won three Piston Cups, as well as holding the record for most wins in a single season. He ended his career in racing when a terrible crash on the track in 1954’s qualifying race put him out of the season. When he returned, he found that his fanfare had dissolved. He was then called a has-been. He kept a newspaper article about the crash to remind him never to return to his life as a racecar, and eventually left that world. He disappeared into obscurity, finally ending up in the “shining Gemstone” of Route 66. In Radiator Springs, he runs Doc’s Clinic. Even though the town’s population decreased due to the construction of Interstate 40, Doc remained and became the respected judge of the town. He underwent a simple navy blue paint job, and was no longer recognized as the famous #51 in Radiator Springs. Upon meeting the racing hotshot Lightning McQueen, Doc was reminded of his younger self. He made the rookie fix the road he damaged, and called the press to take McQueen to the Piston Cup. Seeing the disheartened faces of the residents at Radiator Springs, Doc had himself painted in his original colors to become McQueen’s pit crew chief. He opted not to hide his secret any longer, and stayed with McQueen to take on a job as his trainer.
Doc Hudson was based on the real-life Fabulous Hudson Hornet, who was driven by NASCAR’s Herb Thomas and Marshall Teague. The character in the film was voiced by Paul Newman.