UPDATE – This 1947 Hudson Series 178 pickup is listed for sale again after it was featured in August of 2024 here on Barn Finds and had no takers. It’s now listed here on eBay in Bon Aqua, Tennessee this time. The price has dropped $5,000, down to $29,975, will it sell this time?
FROM 08/27/2024 – To me, the prettiest hauler ever made was by the Hudson Motor Car Company and you’re looking at it: a 1947 Hudson Series 178 pickup. What a beauty. A decade before car-based Rancheros and El Caminos entered the scene, Hudson offered a car-like pickup with sweeping lines, art deco styling (even rear fender skirts!), and plenty of creature comforts, chrome, and class. It was far from the spartan, utilitarian pickup trucks of the day. Only 2,917 of these unique vehicles were built for the 1947 model year and this one has a celebrity tie-in as it was the daily driver of Mike Wolfe of the popular “American Pickers” television series.
On Mike’s Instagram post, he says the Hudson was his daily driver for a few years when he lived in Iowa before moving to Tennessee. Other than saying that it’s an older restoration, is super clean and stock, and has a long bed if you want to haul motorcycles (anyone who’s watched the show knows Mike’s passion for old motorcycles and why’d he’d want a long bed), that’s all that’s shared about its past. The pickup is finished in a beautiful maroon paint that looks very shiny and presentable as does the chrome, glass, and nicely finished wood bed.
The truck’s cabin is visually appealing with art deco styling on the instrument panels and gauges and has car-like features such as a Zenith radio, heater, clock, and a stylish deluxe steering wheel. The bench seat is upholstered in a textured gray vinyl material with matching door panels. There’s some fabric sag in the passenger door panel and the black rubber floor mat needs stretching out, but the bench seat isn’t showing any wear or tear. To me, it would be a pleasure looking at this instrument panel and down the nose of that long pointed hood driving down the highways and byways. It’s just an awesome 40’s-era interior which, like its exterior styling, has plenty of personality.
The powerplant is a 212-cubic-inch Inline Six that was rated at 103 horsepower back in the day. Its mileage is listed as 34,938 and it’s paired with a three-speed column shift manual transmission. 1947 would be Hudson’s last year of truck manufacturing, but what a swan song. I saw one of these last summer at a car show in Pennsylvania and couldn’t get over how its sleek, sensual styling made it look like it was in motion. This rare Hudson pickup is currently located in Waynesburg, Ohio, and is listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for $34,995. Reasonable offers will also be considered. A special thanks to super-spotter T.J. for sending this beautiful and rare Hudson our way. So, what do you think? Ever seen one of these sleek, stylish Hudson pickups?
Great write up Ron. And thank you T. J. for spotting this beautiful Hudson. I couldnt agree more with what you said. I like ElCaminos, dont get me wrong. But if money were no object, and I had a garage long enough to properly store this beauty this would be my first choice. I’d probably sit in a lawn chain staring at it for hours. Its just one of the most beautiful trucks Ive ever seen. The celebrity background doesnt influence me one way or thebother, I wouldnt be buying it for that, I’d be buying it for what it is. A beautiful truck. And I’d probably go nuts getting the interior right and any little things here and there, but mostly Id enjoy it and drive it.
Totally agree with you.
Many years ago I had a 1946 pick up like this. BEAUTIFUL TRUCK. I Believe that the original color of most of them was Gun Metal Gray. Never been have seen one with bright red dash. Mine was repainted silver, with dark red seat and gray dash and door panels. Red wheels, beauty rings and small hub caps. Wish I still had it, but you definitely need an over size garage!
I liked Frank Fritz better.
Me too. He seems like a nice guy, feel bad for him having health issues.
Sorry to say no more “Issues”, he passed away.
This has to be the most gorgeous ute I’ve ever seen, enough to give me a “ute woody”.
I think I’ve found my new “mistress” (gets all my love, attention and money), lol.
I don’t think the “Mike” factor will increase its value, but I am curious as to what colour it left the factory???
Have asked the seller to let me know the code stamped into the passenger door frame. My official color chart will tell us the original color.
A high point in truck styling! There was a fellow local to our pre-retirement Middle West hobby farm who had a ’46, into which he had swapped a “Twin H-Power” engine. He drove it regularly, and oh, what delicious sounds out the back!
I was thinking it would make a nice mild resto-mod, but the Twin-H is a great idea!
Stunning. And anyone who buys this and decides to put a SBC in it, and resto-mod it? Should be shunned by polite society.
They should be executed!!
Throw in keel haul too……gheeze!
Even more so by the impolite society!
A good looking truck it is, but there was one better looking – the Armstrong Siddeley Coupe Utility, sold mainly in Australia and South Africa. I had one, imported it from Sydney. I’d tell you who I sold it too but then I’d be accused of name-dropping and he might not appreciate it either, but you’ll all know the name, and no, he isn’t a comedian.
Gorgeous. I hope that he finds a buyer with a wallet much fatter than mine is.
Oh, also went and looked at the Armstrong Siddeley Coupe Utility. Sorry, but while that is nice, this is better looking IMHO.
I’m a Brit, love British cars of the thirties up until the early eighties, also love Armstrong Siddeley’s, especially the Hurricane, but I have to agree with you, this Hudson pickup is absolutely gorgeous and it reminds me of the days when I owned a 1948 Commodore Eight convertible back in the mid fifties. As for installing a 2.3 liter 6 cylinder, 18 hp engine in the Armstrong, whatever were they thinking of besides fuel economy?
Nope. Best looking ute was the 1937 Coupe Express by Studebaker, and it’s not even close.
The Hudson’s were good looking, though.
👍 for the Coupe Express as the best looking. Makes the Hudson look like the Queen Mary.
I like the 39 coupe express the best.
I agree the 1937 Studebaker express ute makes the Hudson pickup look like an anvil,( and I do like Hudson’s). Also it’s a 1946 not 1947 Hudson. The difference is the bonnet (hood) emblem.
I like looking and appreciate all old cars , and I’m glad it seems everyone likes these, but they just dont do anything for me. IMHO it comes across as a desperate ( and failed) move by Hudson to get in on the truck market with no funds . It really still a Hudson car with the body modified to form a truck cab- the bed doesn’t really fit in with the lines of the car and looks like it was one of those slide in bed units from the 1930s , or Studebaker’s round Champ cab with the old Dodge bed. I know everyone loves these- its just my opinion and I still would check it out at a car show !
Wow, somehow I’ve missed these and can’t ever remember seeing one. I have to agree this truck is gorgeous! This would actually make me think about getting into buying a classic truck. It’s like a 1940’s Indian but a truck. Could care less about the “celebrity” connection and wouldn’t pay a dime more for that but it does seem reasonably priced and I’m sure cash in hand would speak volumes. I have to keep this one in my cap for future possibilities…
I remember seeing nice ones of these at the Auburn Cord Deusenberg Festival auction on Labor Day weekend, and there was a rough looking one sitting west of Auburn towards Garrett Indiana for several years. I always thought they were pretty unique cars. I also read that the Auburn Auto company offered a pickup around 1937, but they didn’t have a picture, and I’ve never seen reference to another one, that would be a rare truck.
the family that owns the NAPA in Auburn has a few Hudson’s. a sedan and a truck. there’s an old rusted into nothing Hudson truck sitting in the front lawn of the business. Cool vehicles but I agree with the previous comments on the Studebaker coupe express better, I’m not picky though, I’d take one of each lol.
So is this the factory colour? I’m curious.
Been trying to sell it for awhile now…..maybe a price drop ?
Unfortunately Frank Fritz does not have any health issues He passed away a few days ago
Hey 1980, could you post a link supporting your post about Frank’s death? I can’t find it. You’re not confusing it with Roger Cook’s death, are you?
Frank Fritz-
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3795153/
Look up Frank Fritz on the YouTube Channel “Legacy.com”.
They ran an obituary video!
Don’t believe anything you read on the Internet or see on YouTube.
here we go again on the intangible: style, look, beauty. No 1 will ever “win” that one. Here we have more in agreement for the featured Y/M/M. I’m ofa like mind esp in the 2 tones of the era. But…
Let’s give ‘em all a chance. U pick:
1937 Coupe Express by Studebaker, (5,700 3 yrs)
https://www.studebakermuseum.org/blog/1937-studebaker-coupe-express/
Armstrong Siddeley Coupe Utility (700+ in 4 yrs)
https://armstrongsiddeley.org.au/models/utility-coupe/
Auburn/Dussie pick up
https://www.flickr.com/photos/truckzrock081/51005525062
Frank’s alive. Somebody named “ Moleman” died recently.
One of the picks that was featured on the show had a seller who went by the name Moleman.
I like the ’37 Studebaker coupe express, I like the Armstrong Siddeley Coupe Utility, I LOVE the ‘47 Hudson. The flowing lines practically obscure the truck function, while the low height of the long box emphasizes the streamlining. Aesthetically, I think it’s the neatest thing in the ’47 Hudson catalog. Only the coupes can compete. The two- and four-door sedans look rather stodgy by comparison.
People who call this a “ute” and put it down as a “desperate” attempt by Hudson to get in on the trunk market forget that, once upon a time, all pickups were car based. What does everybody think the T-bucket was?
Come on Ron, do your homework lad!😛The Studebaker Express was 10 years before the Hudson. The El Camino and Ranchero are the automotive equivalent of some cheesy Hollywood remake by comparison!
1950 Studebaker truck is great looking
Like the Truck, love the lines, impossible to fit in my garage, without cutting a hole through my Livingroom wall. My only change would be the color. Brighter colors make it really stand out.
Totally agree about the brighter colors on cars. I took color and design class in college and don’t understand why some people prefer dark color on stylish cars with cool lines. I think the worse looking color for a lot of vintage cars is dark blue.
People just don’t like bright colors. I chose a bright blue for my Bronco, and get lots of compliments about the choice.
However, I hardly see any in this color. Most are either white or one a many shades of gray that are offered.
https://people.com/american-pickers-star-frank-fritz-cause-of-death-8722430
RIP Frank. :(
Hudson hasn’t gotten the credit they should have for the design of the rear bumper as displayed on this vehicle and copied by so many contemporary builders: also, the rear lighting placement
Some innovating going on ….by somebody in this truck’s past. That bumper and those taillights weren’t made by Hudson. Look at pictures of others.
Where is the Zenith radio?. This truck has a radio delete plate. Also, where is the glove box facia panel? The one on ebay has it. The picture here in BF dosen’t Whats up with that?
One more iteration of the ‘radio delete’ meme. Until very recently, if you didn’t pay extra for a radio, you didn’t get one. They were OPTIONS. No ‘deleting’ involved, no pay, no tunes.
Beyond saying I really like and want this truck but can’t afford it, I can offer come comments on Niche Motors in Bon Aqua. I bought a E46 BMW convertible from them several months ago, and had just about the most pleasant experience I’ve ever had buying a car that I had to travel to see. Nice, new facility in the back country around Nashville, describe cars without too much hype, priced fairly. Great, friendly people. Really liked everything about them. Had them sell a Thunderbird Super Coupe for me, and am just as pleased with that side of the business.
It makes sense that it would be selling by a place near Nashville. Mike Wolfe moved from Iowa to the Nashville area at some point. Probably liked the area better since he put his second storefront there.
Very poor paint job, no depth at all.
It definitely needs a compound and polish to bring out the shine, if the paint is thick enough that is.
Frank Fritz passed away September 30, 2024. RIP
Hudson products have great Club support…
Frank Friz’s passing was reported on “Legacy.com/Google News/ C B S. Radio/ and a posting on Mr. Wolfed Instagram page.
Don’t think it is all “False News’!!!
I’ve never seen 1 like this, I would snap it up!
No room— no money, but I like it.
I owned 2 stepdown Hudsons and all 3 of my uncles owned stepdown Hudsons in the early 1950’s, but I have to agree that the Studebaker truck looks better. I was friends with a famous Hudson collector near York, PA who owned a black 1941 Hudson pickup. It looked great except for being black. I still have a picture of that truck.
Pertaining to color, I quote from Hudson Bulletin Number 11 “Color option letters on Hudson cars are stamped on the right front door upper hinge and may be seen when the door is opened.” My ’50 Bali Blue is code J-46.
Indicate the ’47 truck code. I have that chart and will respond.
I dont know if any of you guys know this or not but the coolest feature on this Hudson is that the hood opens foward with fenders from the factory. I have a 47 Club Coupe. I got behind a barn in Greely Colrado. It did not have an engine so I put an Olds 455 in it with a Ford 9 Inch rear. That hood is long and really cool to look out.
I have a1969 Riviera and a 1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III. They both are a snug fit in my garage but as beautiful as this Hudson is, just not enough room! A true Classic! Trophy winner where ever you show it! Good luck.