Easily one of my favorite classic trucks, these Hudson Pickups are unmistakable with their unique styling. Appearing to be a worthwhile project with little rust present, this old pickup is a grand start to an uncommon pickup project. For $5,000 this Hudson could be yours. Take a look at it here on craigslist out of Malone, Maine. Thanks goes out to AMXBrian for this sweet pickup find!
It would seem the original engine is present, but it’s not going to be clicking off on any cylinders anytime soon. Disassembled and strewn throughout the bed, there is no telling how complete or even useful this engine may be. The transmission still appears to be mounted, along with some of its related hardware. Despite the engine being disassembled, the engine components do not appear to be heavily rusted.
Taking a peek inside of the cab shows the transmission in its place, along with a lot of ground visible from the interior. The art deco dash and steering wheel is still in place, with neither having any excessive or severe damage visible. Surface rust is present on the dash itself, and there appears to be some light mold on the steering wheel as well.
The exterior of this Hudson is very inspiring as there is no rot to be seen anywhere. Surface rust is visible in a few places but as a whole, it would seem this Hudson is quite solid. The only let down is that someone very much used “ham fists” to remove the lovely headlights and trim. Although, a spare set of fenders are included with this truck to remedy that issue. The running boards are in the truck bed, and it would also appear that the original wooden bed is still in place after all this time in Maine. Almost to the Canada border, it is fascinating that this Hudson isn’t riddled with rust. Even the chrome trim while dusty looks very nice with no evidence of pitting or any other damage. Would you jump on this $5,000 Hudson?
I am not very familiar with Hudson vehicles however I question whether this is a 1945 model. U.S. civilian auto production stopped shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack in December of 1941 and did not restart until after Japan surrendered in August of 1945. That is why there are no 1943 Fords or Chevy’s other than the ones produced for the military.
I owned a 1944 Ford truck. I had several people tell me that it wasn’t real. although all the numbers were there. What I was told, and the little research that I did,states: there was limited number of vehicles produced for commercial use: farms, stores, factories etc.
ditto Darrun for chevys dodges too, i’ve seen them
Aren’t these trucks generally called “Big Boys” and I agree – seems to modern for 1945 but I’m no Hudson expert. But look at those rear fenders – look like Chev/GMC from the early 50’s to me. Did Hudson buy ’em from the General??
Where there’s a will there’s a way. I think this would be a good project for a full restoration. The engine might pose some problems but the Hudson owners group are very dedicated and could be a lot of help. I wish the new owner lots of luck in the resto….
$5000 for a Hudson NO WAY. Especially with the engine in pieces in the bed. What woulf it be worth restored. I doubt that much.
Estimate $25-35,000 fully restored. These are scarce and sought after trucks.
Posting correctly lists this as a 46 in the text. Defiantly worth the money and the effort
What the heck happens to the headlights on all of these cars. Seems like it is the first thing taken off.
They’re stolen. Parts like that are hard to come by for this truck.
Rat rod material. Finding parts to restore to original would be a total nightmare, IF even possible. And it’s more than likely a 46. Civilian vehicle production haulted during 43, 44, and 45 of World War II
“The Serial Number Book for U.S. Cars 1900-1975” says : “1943-1945 No serial numbers released for civilian market”, which implies some production for those years. “The Production Figure Book for U.S. Cars” says 5005 built; Hudson (cars and trucks). Not a lot. No specific production figures for this truck could be found.
I’ve found war time adv for trucks. Approval was required from Federal authorities to purchase. Sales were approved for necessary uses only.
A five thousand dollar pile of parts
Yep rat rod with sooo much paaattiinna….plus you don’t see these every day. I saw one when I was otr truck driver looking beautiful and sounded like a built small block.i think I was in the Catskill mtns
my 39 Hudson ratrod
This is the find of the century. “Big Boy” Hudson pickups ( although they weren’t called that after the war) were some of the 1st car/pickups, only behind the Studebaker Coupe Express. They were not well received, as they didn’t do either job well. Very few were sold. After the war, these were only made in ’46 and ’47. Incredibly rare. I only hope this doesn’t get bastardized with some Allison aircraft motor, and return it to it’s former glory with a “Twin-H” Hudson six.
And the headlights rust out, that is a bad spot for all these types of front fenders.
Hi Rube. I’m with you, especially on the restoration part. I tend to prefer the Studebaker version as far as a car/truck utility is concerned. The Hudson looks too much like something that was put together during the war so the owner could get more gas rations. However, rare vehicles like this one deserve a full restoration.
I had a Studebaker ’37 Coupe/Truck just like the one in the picture. Mine was completely original and even had the original green paint. It ran great. I bought it from an old fisherman in Eureka, CA for $175 and it didn’t have a ding on it, the body was perfect. I used it to move all my stuff and drove it from Eureka to Potter Valley near Ukiah, CA. I was almost there and spun a rod bearing, was knocking but still ran and got me there. I ended up selling it to a guy in Oakland, CA who had another one. The thing I remember most was how smooth it rode, nothing like a truck, it was like a car.
No such place as Malone maine
Maybe Malone NY? Right up near the Stn Lawrence Seaway.
definitely looks like my old man’s 47′ Super Six front end. Definitely not a 45 though.
These last-of-the-Hudson trucks are among my most-favorite. The furthest wilds of ME are a mere eight hours from my home-state. Wish I could “trailer-up” and retrieve this beauty, as I am incredulous that this one (wherever Malone, Maine turns out to be) is “that close” to me.
When you don’t need them is always when they turn up…
The time to buy is when you find…
That said; Reality-Check stipulates that this one will still unfortunately be getting away from me.
Hope that a “purist” rescues it so I can find it in my next life.
Malone New York ?
I’d shorten the bed a bit & restomod it.
Price seems about right. Two years ago I sold my survivor 1940 Hudson Super Six for about $7k and a similar condition Big Boy sold for close to $20k. Both ran well and were complete.
Even though the Big Boy was not so common parts are easy to find. From the door forward it is the standard sedan.
1st Sports Ute.?
Tailgate appears as non-stock. Should be a flat panel with
“Hudson” stamped in.
The tailgate is the only piece on this truck that is hard to find.
Early 50’s Pa it was popular to weld two hoods together to make a boat.
Most likely 46 like body copy states, and its in New York not Maine.
Same front body as my 1948 Club Coupe. Parts are not that hard with help from the Hudson Club.
I like it a lot. Wrong coast for me.
Good luck to the buyer!
One of my favorites vehicles in over 50 years of odd-ball rides. Drove this 1947 Hudson pick-up from Philadelphia to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, one late November with a load of stuff for my farm. Got caught in a blinding snowstorm between Calais and Bangor, Maine, on the way home. Learned the hard way that vacuum powered wipers are no fun
It should be saved no matter what year it is.
where I live a gentleman in the next town has a Hudson pick up just like this one and I mean just like his one, only his has headlights and it runs , very well . I spoke with him about it one day hes owned it for decades and has put a larger engine into it from a Hudson car he had to modify the radiator and move it forward to make room for the larger engine , its a daily driver and he does not baby it !!
There you go. It is a truck after all. At least technically. I have no use for trailer queens.
Did you know that Auburn made a pickup in the early 30s? I read it in an Auburn book, but that’s the only place I have seen it mentioned, that would be a rare truck.