When we think of classic pickup trucks, Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge are usually the first names that come to mind. However, there were a plethora of other manufacturers who tried their hand at producing these utilitarian workhorses. While it is hard to handsomely style a vehicle made for work, the Hudson Motor Company hit a bases-loaded home run with their relatively brief foray into the postwar truck market. If you are looking for a truck that looks like no other, then check out this 1947 Hudson pickup for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Norco, California. While it doesn’t run, this long-bed hauler appears to be in excellent shape and is looking for a new caretaker. With a $10,000 asking price, is this amazing SoCal bargain the kind of project you would like to put in your garage? Thanks to T.J. for this unique tip!
The Facebook Marketplace ad is one of few words and just six pictures. All we are told is as follows: “1947 Hudson pickup truck. For sale. Currently not running. Body in good condition.” None of the pictures show the condition of the bed, the underside of this truck, or the engine. Looking carefully at the pictures provided reveals a truck that has been cared for. There are some spots where the fenders may be a tiny bit lumpy, and the rear bumper has that homemade look to it. While the lines make the truck look longer than it is, this looks to be a model with an 8-foot bed. However, just seeing a Hudson truck is quite rare.
While Hudson had a rich history of producing trucks and other commercial vehicles, by the end of World War II, only the 3/4-ton pickup truck remained. Based on Hudson’s exceptionally heavy-built car line, the company used the same styling as that on their Super Six automobile. The choice of either a 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton model given to customers before the war gave way to only the larger offering. The frame was the same as that of the automobile line and was more than stout enough for the job.
Under the hood was the company’s 212 cubic inch straight six-cylinder engine that would later gain fame as the powerplant that powered “The Fabulous Hudson Hornet.” Backing up that engine was a three-speed manual transmission that was controlled through a column-mounted shifter. Among the options available for buyers were overdrive, a 30-hour clock, a deluxe steering wheel with a chrome horn ring, and a Weather Master heater.
Given that Hudson was deeply committed to what would become known as the Step-Down series of automobiles from 1948 until the company’s eventual merger with Nash, the trucks were on borrowed time due to their need for conventional frames. The later automobiles were unibody designs. While it is possible to build a unibody truck, Hudson didn’t have the resources to seriously consider such a move at that time. Having produced just 2,917 trucks in 1947 would have been the final nail in the coffin of even considering a Hornet-based truck.
While pondering that production number, bear in mind that trucks were purchased for work back then. The idea of the luxury truck or even trucks as someone’s first choice for transportation was far in the future. Most trucks got used and abused. Given that, the condition of this truck is remarkable. Looking inside we see that someone recovered the seat and door panels in black vinyl, with cloth inserts added to the seats. Everything else looks stock and unmolested. These trucks were favorites of customizers due to their funky look. It is almost a miracle that this one is so original and in such good shape.
Is it worth the $10,000 asking price? A quick look at sales in the past few years shows that running trucks in good condition brings far more. Hopefully, one of our readers will snap this Hudson up and have it back on the road soon.
Well, another in a long line of “Wendys” selling dear old dads Hudson pickup. I doubt she knows much, except rides in it as a kid. Got to be tough to part with it. These before the war were called “Big Boy” pickups, a name they dropped after the war. “Car” based pickups were nothing new, I believe Studebaker was the first, and always an iffy market. We learned that later with the “El Rancheros”, not quite a car, not quite a truck. I’m by no means a Hudson expert, but I don’t think it was the 212 that made Hudson famous, it was the 308, same thing? Many of these trucks have a 308 twin H installed later. Many, if not all, had OD, again more info needed and if you don’t have FB, you can’t contact the seller. It would be worth joining FB just to get this. I was the last kid on my block to get a computer, but FB Marketplace is the new hot button to sell stuff. Just be ready for folks like “Wendy”, perhaps grief stricken, that don’t have a clue as to what they are selling. A smokin’ find, for sure.
The later AMC never produced a truck of their own, but their Jeep subsidiary did.
A 30 hour clock – my father was right, the days really were longer back then
Marketplace listing is already gone.
2:30pm, 02/04/2024
I remember 25 years ago a fairly rough example could bring $7500. Was surprised to see this one priced at only 10k. Or perhaps the seller got so much interest they panicked and took the ad down for a while.
The buyer might check if the Hudson emblem above the front grill lights up.
About 25 years ago I bought a 1939 Hudson Terraplane p/u needing a full restoration for $750. I sold it, untouched, few years later for $1500. This truck looks like it used the same body molds as the pre-war trucks except for the front facia.
The buyer might check if the Hudson ornament above the front grille lights up.
May have made a nice advertisement vehicle for our business, but will never know since it’s gone already! Lol
I’m not surprised the ad is already down. Either someone snapped it up or as said, seller took it down and is re thinking his asking price. You just don’t see too many Hudson trucks become available. Just pure eye candy. I can imagine a customer build with fresh paint and keeping all exterior panels as they are, and a more modern drivetrain, and brakes. The possibilities are just endless. Great find.
Back in the day, not knowing better, overloaded the bed of one of these Hudson’s with roofing tiles. Tires barely managed to steer, the rear end didn’t break, and we became believers!
With a limited market these can be more difficult to value. I’ve seen well restored HP’s listed over and over on various sites and not bring $30,000.
I’ve been offered absolutely awful HP’s dragged out of the woods with a tractor for $6500 and the seller not budge a penny. I saw that same truck show up here on BF two years later for the same price same seller.
I’ve seen resto-mod HP’s with $65,000 asking prices only bid into the $30k ish range.
In the late 1990’s I sold my Hudson pickup Rat Rod/Hot Rod ( On a 1971 Chevy 1/2 tn frame 350 cu/700R4 AOD A/C pwr steering, disc brakes) for $10,500 to a friend, He put it on an S10 frame and made upgrades of about $5000. I saw he was selling it about 2013 for $15K, so I called him and told him to raise the price to $18,500. He sold it to a Finnish buyer for $18K. Now it may be the only Hudson truck in the entire country of Finland. The Finn buyer occasionally calls my friend to chat about the truck and tells him of his adventures in it.
I recently bought a rusty 47 HPu for $2500 and all good replacement sheetmetal except for a cab and bed sides for another $950. It’s all going on a late model frame so…
I’d say this is all the money + on this. Its still a 77 year old truck underneath if you plan on driving it…plan on brakes. rubber and steel Lines, w/cylinders, hoses, m/c, fuel tank and fuel lines, tires, etc etc. In this condition your gonna be in it another few thousand $ & many hours to get out there safely and reliably.
if unfamiliar? do ur self a favor and go to the link or google. Make sure to geta full view of all angles (that does it justice). Be v e r y careful if you do. After getting an eyeful stay away from the bank for minimum, a mo. Go out and buy a Sinatra/Bogart/Joad trilby or fedora instead and feel like you’re in one. Alot less expensive but can feel just as good.
C 1 that’s restored w/different paint schemes. If a ‘car guy’ (ur here right?) U cant miss 1 of these (in my mind). Got it all over a Terraplane.
Big Boy, Series 98 (rarer) or 58, 1939/47, 1/2 T or 3/4 nuttin compares as the ‘classic lines’ are near feminine in nature. Deserve a ‘full restore’: cloth covered ele lines, re-chrome, era paint or slight up grade.
Dear All !
I would like to take this discussion about this wonderful pickup to ask for your kind support:
In November 2018 I bought a 1947 Pickup, which was listed here at barn finds, too: https://barnfinds.com/rare-in-the-uk-1947-hudson-pickup/
I am mostly interested in the trucks history and would like to find the original owner and perhaps some old pictures of this car.
The old licence plate of my HUDSON truck reads:
KANSAS 63
SN
Truck
8853
Is it possible to track this vintage number ???
Furtermoe I have a picture of the long trailer (designed for modern pickup truck), on which my HUDSON was shipped from last owner’s property. It’s licence plate reads:
KANSAS
Trailer
637340
I would like to contact the owner of this trailer for asking, where he picked up the HUDSON.
Can anyone help ? This would be great !!!
Thanks a lot, greetings from Germany and excuse that I take this discussion for my special concern !
Frank
I’ve been watching the Hudson pickup market for about 40 years Frank. I do remember a truck in about the same condition being offered online about 7 or 8 years ago (maybe longer?)from the Garden City KS area. I contemplated going after it myself but..a 2000 mile round trip + expenses. It didn’t pencil out $wise for me.
From what I remember of the craigslist pictures I saw it looked like it had been sitting in the same spot in a Kansas field for quite long time.
If you haven’t already joined some of the facebook hudson groups , there’s lots of information and good knowledgeable folks there. You might also ask around on them. Best of luck.
With the body lines on this 1947 Hudson pickup, you can sure see how it was built on Hudsons car platform. This one looks like it has very little rot and rust issues and only needing to get either it’s existing engine running or finding a good transplant drivetrain. And some updated brakes. Such an rare truck and I haven’t seen many at all, especially in this condition. She’s gonna be a sweetheart when finished.