Nash Motor Car Co. was one of the predecessors of American Motors. They merged with Nash-Kelvinator in 1954 to form AMC. But 15 years before that, they built a pickup truck named the Big Boy which would be called the Super Six in 1946/47 before production ceased. The seller has a rare 1947 edition which is referred to as being a half-ton, but sources indicate that only a 3/4-ton was offered toward the end. This looks like a solid truck worth getting back on the road.
Unlike most pickup trucks of the day, the Big Boy didn’t try to be bare-bones, brawn-only transportation. Hudson was striving to attract buyers who wanted more than just function in their rides. It arrived in 1939 and used a 212 cubic inch L-head inline-6 to get the job done. As did the other U.S. automakers, Hudson took a break during the World War II years and brought back the Big Boy for two more outings before moving on. Two classes were initially offered, with payloads of 1,000 and 1,500 lbs.
When you plopped down roughly $1,500 to buy a new Big Boy, you typically got the truck plus a heater, clock, radio, and more as standard equipment. These things don’t sound important today, but that was not the case in the 1940s. The seller doesn’t go into detail as to how long he/she has had the truck or when it ran last. The engine does turn, which suggests a cleansing of the fuel delivery system. a tune-up, and a new battery might just bring this thing back to life.
All sorts of parts will come with the pickup and occupy the expansive bed, which also points to this Big Boy/Super Six having a larger hauling capacity than the seller points out. The mileage is thought to be 45,000, but there’s no claim to that being correct. From a garage in Thomaston, Georgia, this rare transport is available here on eBay where there have been no takers on the opening bid of $18,000.
Unfortunately I have no memory of seeing one of these in person. I looked up images of the Hudson Big Boy and it sure seems like its a really good sized pickup. Thrse trucks are gorgeous restored, and I have no doubt that this ine would look stunning if its redone. Theres photos of a dark blue one online thats just simply amazing to look at. The lines, at least to me are beautifully done. I sure hope this doesnt get butchered up, but restored to stock.
Quite agree. This doesn’t look weathered at all, and stock radios are not difficult to find. Freshen this baby up and you will have more lookers than you can imagine at any event. My ’50 Commodore attests to that.
The US automobile makers did not take a break,they built a lot of stuff for the military.But you are probably right that they took a break from building cars.🇺🇸
I too never recall seeing one in person. Hudson wasn’t the first to offer these. Studebaker Coupe Express came out in 1937 for only 2 years. It, like all these car/pickups, had a poor following. Wasn’t a car, and not quite a truck. Why Hudson chose to even try with these is a mystery. These, I read, cost a whopping $1549 new, when a Ford pickup was $961. Hudson sold only 1900 of these in 1946, compared to over 75,000 Fords that year. While the Hudson was probably a better quality truck, buyers didn’t buy it, and it joined the ranks of the El Camino, Ranchero, Subaru, Crosley, even Peugeot made one, and none stuck, here anyways. Unbelievable find, 170 viewers and no bids pretty much tells me people today don’t know their rear from home plate when it comes to classics. Why is that? We’re not dead yet, speaking to the older crowd, why hasn’t this been scarfed up? Not a good sign, Homer,,,
Price and the name were probably the two reasons why it didnt sell well, in that order . While Hudson had a good reputation, it didnt sell trucks, and I’ll bet many buyers of new trucks that year were upgrading from their old truck , and if their old Ford, GMC, etc was a good truck, they’d likely buy another – brand loyalty. Back then a truck was for working only , not like the Pavement princesses today, so if you could buy a good work vehicle $600 less than a competitor was selling theirs , you’d buy it . $ 600 was a lot of money back then !
Don’t know about the rest, but the Peugeot 403 and 404 trucks (made by chopping the cab off back of the front seat and putting on a square box) were widespread in French possessions. When I was in Tahiti in the 70’s I coveted either a 403 or 404 truck with diesel and canvas top and bows. Importation to Hawaii was not doable, but they were pretty much bulletproof trucks used in Africa and French overseas territories. However, they were kind of boxy with that big square bed stuck on the back of a car!
Two of these running around where I live. One is a street rod and one looks to be stock. They show up at local car shows
While Nash and Huson did merge in 1954, Nash had nothing to do with the Hudson pickup. The two companies were independent of each other at that time. The Big Boy was a good looking truck and rugged too. It was a bit underpowered which is why you will see quite a few of them repowered with the 308 Hornet engine. I owned one that I drove for a couple of years and really liked it other than the mediocre performance.
This would make a glorious start to a low-key resto-mod. If you could find a modern chassis that body and bed would work on, you’d have something truly special.
Find an incomplete beater for your low rent resto. Leave this nice, complete, original vehicle alone.
“…and none stuck, here anyways….” Big Time in Oz tho, no?
“…170 viewers and no bids pretty much tells me people today don’t know their…” probably lookin only. This is THE one too. Esp when like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8oAWLhS3-o
eye candy
Back in the early 70s a Salt Lake City dealership named Harry Luff Motors still had a Hudson neon in the window and 3 of these behind the building. They were actually dealers for the strange combination of International Scout and Lotus. Unfortunately I left town before the bankruptcy sale, or I would have been bidding fiercely on the sign and one of the trucks.
I think I’ve seen more than one of these. I’ll never forget seeing one in Rhine Center, WI about 25 years ago.. It was red with flames and it distracted me driving a Lamborghini Islero (not mine) and I almost blew the stop sign. I slid into the intersection with all 4 locked. No incident!
You can see several Hudson pickups at the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane club meet this week in Erie, PA.
I remember these well. Impressive trucks in terms of size and style. In the 50s, when I was growing up in southern New England, they were fairly ubiquitous, as were Studebaker pickups, which some today would also consider rare.
Interestingly enough, the seller says in the description that they have interested parties watching and inquiries about a buy now price. So there may be some late action on this. It certainly is one rare beast. I can’t remember actually seeing one at any car shows even the big ones like Hershey. So who can say what its value is.
I cannot get my mind wrapped around this vehicle as “rare”. In the 1940s and 1950s, these (and the Studebaker trucks) abounded — they were “everywhere”, and they lasted for but YEARS. They began fading off the roads by the late 1960s. I did not especially notice — but then, by 1974, when I saw one, I suddenly realised that they were no longer “everywhere” as before — a bit like the “forever” Model As which still were in daily use 50 years after they were made. Hope someone restores this one, stock.
A picture of the car serial number on the passenger side door would answer the questions about model etc. Great find. Rare in production numbers, but as an owner a 40 Sedan , most Hudsons are a labor of love and a hobby. Most of us are not in it for the money..
Street Rods are everywhere. Go ahead and pay a fortune for one. I’d rather enjoy the wave from someone who’s not seen a Hudson before, and keep some money in the bank.
You’re also right about the VIN on the door post. The color code presumably matches this nice surviving paint. AND the lack of a factory turn signal reminds me of knowing which way to point my left arm before making a turn.
Heater radio and clock were not standard.