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.
I liked Frank Fritz better.
Me too. He seems like a nice guy, feel bad for him having health issues.
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???
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!!
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.
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 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.
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?
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.