When one thinks of Hudson automobiles, the “step-down” design as employed by their famous streamlined Hornet is often what comes to mind. Well, that’s not all as Hudson was in the pickup truck business too. MotorBuscuit tells us that Hudson got into the light truck biz in 1929 and stayed at it through 1947. Today’s find is a 1940 example that is either a half-ton or a three-quarter-ton “Big Boy” example – the listing is lax on detail. This citizen of Boise, Idaho is rough-looking and has been sitting for a spell but it’s certainly a welcome find, courtesy of T.J., as compared to the usual Chevy or Ford discovery from this era.
Hudson’s earliest trucks were marketed under the Dover and Essex brand and then in 1934 their own “Terraplane” model was released. It was mechanically, based largely on the passenger car model of the same name and stayed in production through 1938. Around ’40, Hudson embarked on a new truck series that was related to their “Super Six” sedans but employed a sturdier frame and a non-car-like cargo bed/rear section. Today’s find is intact though it’s a bit rough looking and I imagine based on the “Ran about 20 years ago” (a new take on “ran when parked”?) claim that it has been sitting that long. There’s no included image of the engine but it should be a 102 HP, 212 CI, inline, flathead six working via a three-speed manual transmission.
The listing refers to this Hudson as being “relatively dry” and wearing a red exterior. I’m not sure how to decipher “relatively” and the red finish description seems to be more a thing of the past. While the body is straight, there’s a lot of surface rust and primer evident, and that relatively dry business is a definite invitation to check out the underside, frame, etc. There are no good images of the cargo bed included so its condition will remain a mystery unless an inquiry is made.
The interior is about what you expect with the initial item catching my attention being the strap-on turn signal lever. It’s hard to imagine a time when cars and trucks weren’t so equipped but I guess that’s the case with anything made before about 1950. The red painted dash is likely the hue that covered the exterior at one time and the rest of the environment is in keeping with the time – primitive. The distinctive instrument panel with its noteworthy horizontal speedometer, is still front and center but it shows as being deteriorated. The condition of the single bench seat has not been revealed.
The seller refers to this Hudson as a “very rare truck” and Motor Biscuit states that total Hudson truck production was about 30K units all told. I can’t find production volumes for 1940 but I have to imagine that the volume was quite limited. And the rarity is further enhanced when you consider how few are probably still in existence. Interested parties will find this pickup here on Facebook Marketplace where it’s available for $8,500. I won’t comment on the price but it is certainly a departure from the usually discovered 1940’s marques, wouldn’t you agree?
I love it ! …..IMO The price seems reasonable ….
I’d take a chance …Why not ….
This is one hot potato Hudson…. I am surprised why it’s not snagged already. This is a super cool truck…..
GOOD Luck with Sale….
That’s nice.
I wonder what the vintage derelict in the background behind the lean-to is?
There’s a Willys Aero sitting next to the truck in one of the photos.
Boise? BarnFinds shop truck, right here. Stuff sure is coming out of the woodwork. BFs job security for years to come,,after that, not sure. Being the sentimental sap that I am, I look at this truck, and wonder what the story was. It clearly wasn’t purchased with work in mind, somebody wanted just a little more than a truck. Kind of the premise for the “El Rancheros”.
Again and again, they weren’t cheap. I read, a Hudson pickup cost over $1550 new. Doesn’t sound like much, huh, except 3 TIMES the cost of a 1940 Ford or Chevy. This has a snowballs chance in Hades of remaining like this. Someone did their darndest to keep it hidden from the public. Too bad that ran out.
This truck has a 46-47 front end. It could be a 40 with a later front clip. I have a 46 Hudson pickup with a 41 front clip so it does happen. Although I suspect this one is incorrectly listed, but it would take a look at the VIN # to know for certain. This is a candidate for an original restoration as it looks rather unmolested and has the Hudson engine. These are all over the price range. Recently one was fs in WA in similar body condition with a running chey 6 for $21,900. (ns) and rn BAT has a 46 Hudson pickup that was a former show truck with a modern driveline that sold in July for $22,500 (buyer defaulted). I think perhaps the initial premium sales price made them special to their owners because while they are rare they seem to have a rather high survival rate.
Butcher, can you upload a photo of your Hudson truck with a 41 front clip so we can see the difference?
This one is a 46 with with a 41 front end.
Thanks But her for posting this pic of the 1941 Hudson front clip on your truck. It’s almost like a Zephyr grill and front end, not at all like the 46 Front on the Hudson listed on Barnfinds. They’re definitely different styles. Beautiful truck you got there.
Thanks HC. It has a 1969 Dodge Polara front clip, 396 cu bbc, 700R4, 3:23 Sure-Grip re, AC, pwr steering & 4 wheel disc brakes. The previous owner had it for 52 years. Some of his modifications were, interesting. Straight out of whatever was handy from the spare parts bins under the work bench it would seem. I just finished replacing the toilet plumbing hoses he used in the fuel system, and the used household lamp wiring ( all the same color), from, everywhere, God bless him.
Butcher, interesting, I would imagine he used the toilet plumbing lines from its fuel hard line to the fuel pump. And I wouldn’t have guessed that a 69 Polara front clip and suspension would have been a fit on that truck. And also working around previous owners wiring can be a challenge.
Messaged gentleman about this pickup, and I can confirm this was a 1941 from the vin # with a 46/47 grille.
Barn Finds is the only place that I see something like this 40 Hudson pickup. $8500 is a reasonable price, but why can’t the seller include at least one engine photo? If it’s been in that shelter, I would have to have the underside looked at before I parted with the cash. Again, glad it’s far away from me.
So sorry to see Kaiser Hudson go extinct although my GM dad was not a fan of them. We need variety now more than ever. Never threatened by cheap foreign imports.
I hope it finds an enthusiastic owner. Whether restored or resto-modded, it needs to be saved and not sit somewhere else and continue to rot.
The seller has three other vintage cars for sale, as well. Worth a look?
‘47 front end with a Commodore bumper. Not sure if the wrap around bumper was available on the pick up. Who knows what is under the hood. Hope it’s Hudson.
Well at the price to restore a car today b4 buying look at the cost to bring it back to or make it a rat rod
what’s the saying nowadays? buy it don’t restore it and lose money lol?
There is another one of these on facebook market place in Atlanta. A ’47, it’s got the same front end as this one, but a different bumper. Much nicer shape, but twice the price.
I guess I’ve got short memory, the one in Atlanta was on Barnfinds about 3 weeks ago
It’s not a 40. The interior is from a later model. Pretty sure it’s a 46-7. Google “ 1946-7 Hudson interior for confirmation. The interiors were the same as the cars .
I have a 40 sedan and can’t at this moment remember what the insides of the 41,42 and immediate post war cars looked like.
I was around when these were new … and my first thought was, “1940?? — looks more like a ’47 to me!” These ruled the roads for about 20 years, before they began to vanish — these, and also Studebaker pickups — you always noticed them, because they were not your usual Fords, Chevys, Dodges, GMCs, etc.. Given the condition of the exterior, and the uniformly deteriorated red paint, and the red dashboard, I would deem the front clip original and say that the year is wrong: 1947 is more probable — possibly 1946 — no way, 1940. As many of these as I saw in the 1940s and 1950s, I do not recall a red one. Turn signals, I believe, were required on new cars starting in 1952.
I love the unique orphan brands of vehicles, my dad was a huge studebaker guy and I love these old Hudson’s!!!!!
What’s NOT to love about a Hudson? As Hoke said to Booley [Driving Miss Daisy], “Finest that ever came off the line”.