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Not A Hornet Or A Wasp: 1945 Hudson Pickup

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?

Comments

  1. Avatar mark

    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.

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    • Avatar Darrun

      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.

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      • Avatar John Holt

        ditto Darrun for chevys dodges too, i’ve seen them

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  2. Avatar Brakeservo

    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??

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  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    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….

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  4. Avatar SC/RAMBLER

    $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.

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    • Avatar waynard

      Estimate $25-35,000 fully restored. These are scarce and sought after trucks.

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  5. Avatar Joeinthousandoaks

    Posting correctly lists this as a 46 in the text. Defiantly worth the money and the effort

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  6. Avatar Dan

    What the heck happens to the headlights on all of these cars. Seems like it is the first thing taken off.

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    • Avatar waynard

      They’re stolen. Parts like that are hard to come by for this truck.

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  7. Avatar Kevin W

    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

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    • Avatar waynard

      “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.

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    • Avatar EdP

      I’ve found war time adv for trucks. Approval was required from Federal authorities to purchase. Sales were approved for necessary uses only.

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  8. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    A five thousand dollar pile of parts

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  9. Avatar Larry Q

    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

    Like 0
    • Avatar ken

      my 39 Hudson ratrod

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  10. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    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.

    Like 0
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      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.

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      • Avatar 3Ddude101

        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.

        Like 0
  11. Avatar T.audet

    No such place as Malone maine

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    • Avatar Car nut from Wpg Member

      Maybe Malone NY? Right up near the Stn Lawrence Seaway.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar rustylink

    definitely looks like my old man’s 47′ Super Six front end. Definitely not a 45 though.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar XMA0891

    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.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar craig m bryda

    Malone New York ?
    I’d shorten the bed a bit & restomod it.

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  15. Avatar San Jose Scot

    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.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar chad

    1st Sports Ute.?

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  17. Avatar waynard

    Tailgate appears as non-stock. Should be a flat panel with
    “Hudson” stamped in.

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    • Avatar MikeH

      The tailgate is the only piece on this truck that is hard to find.

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      • Avatar Ed

        Early 50’s Pa it was popular to weld two hoods together to make a boat.

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  18. Avatar Michael

    Most likely 46 like body copy states, and its in New York not Maine.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Wayne

    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!

    Like 0
  20. Avatar roosvt

    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

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  21. Avatar Jonathan Q Higgins

    It should be saved no matter what year it is.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Guggie 13

    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 !!

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Jonathan Q Higgins

    There you go. It is a truck after all. At least technically. I have no use for trailer queens.

    Like 0
  24. Avatar 55chevy Chuck Foster

    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.

    Like 0

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