Shipshewana, IN — The 1952 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe that NASCAR driver Herb Thomas drove to win the 1953 Grand National Championship sold at Worldwide’s Hostetler’s Hudson Museum auction Saturday (Aug. 4), achieving $1.265 million and setting a new price record for the marque at a public sale.

The auction delivered $7.5 million in overall sales of the 69 cars and associated memorabilia from the museum’s collection, setting a total of 32 sales records.

The vehicle was nominated in 2014 for inclusion on the National Historic Vehicle Register, and the car was displayed on the National Mall as part of the Historic Vehicle Association’s Cars at the Capital. Shortly after, it was acquired by the Hostetler Collection. The museum closed in January 2018.

Other lots in the top 10 at the no-reserve sale included a rare 1955 Hudson Italia sold for $682,000 (a record for the model); a 1937 Railton Special Limousine with one-off coachwork by Rippon Brothers at $462,000; a 1928 Hudson Series O Town Car at $313,500; a 1927 Hudson Super Six supercharged sports tourer at $220,000; a 1928 Hudson Super Six Series O convertible sedan, which won its class at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours and sold for $214,500; a 1917 Hudson “Shaw Special” racing car at $187,000; a 1952 Hudson Hornet 6 club coupe NASCAR re-creation at $165,000; a 1936 Hudson Deluxe Eight Series 64 convertible coupe at $162,250; and a 1934 Hudson Series LU Deluxe 2/4 passenger convertible coupe at $156,750.