A little digging turned up that Doc Hudson's number 51 was used because it was the first year of the Hudson Hornet, but the actual Fabulous Hudson Hornet was number 92.  That car is still around and is on display in Yipsilanti. Michigan (interestingly, also where Preston Tucker lived, and to my eyes a see a bit of '48 Tucker in the Hornet).

The Hornet was the best car that ever raced NASCAR, taking 1st in points in '51, 2nd in '52, 1st in '53, and 2nd in '54.  Unibody construction, revolutionary at the time, allowed the floor to dip below the rockers and lowered the CG, making the car handle exceptionally well for the day.  Great handling, paired with a flathead 308 cubic inch straight 6 cylinder that could be had up to 210HP (with the 7x package which paired the Twin H Power engine (two one barrel carbs) with a hotter cam, high compression head, and significant port work to the block to improve airflow).  That engine made over 300 lbs/ft. as well due to its size and undersquare configuration (long stoke, small bore).  Running over 9:1 compression in that configuration was really pushing the envelope, and that's the factory configuration, so you know guys like Smokey knew how to make some serious tweaks that the tech inspectors could never find

My nephew just got a summer internship at Pixar.  That's what he's majoring in, animation.  I've always told him it would be great to see a cartoon movie about muscle cars, so kids will inadvertently learn about them.