No, this is not deja vu. You really did see an article featuring a 1947 Hudson Pickup about a week ago. This is not a repeat. I have chosen to write about this particular vehicle because there is something distinctly different about this vehicle compared to the last one. This one isn’t located in the USA, but is in Milton Keynes, in the UK. You will find this Hudson listed for sale here on eBay. The seller will include all of the relevant paperwork with the truck, including UK registration. The owner has set a price of £9,495 for the Hudson.
To understand the rarity of a vehicle like this Hudson in the UK really requires the examination of some historical data from the era. Following the end of World War II, the American economy was vibrant, and demand for new cars far out-stripped supply. In the UK things were very different, as the UK economy was struggling to cope with a post-war recovery. Many goods and materials were strictly rationed, and the UK government was encouraging vehicle manufacturers to produce vehicles for export, and materials for these vehicles was in reasonable supply for this specific purpose. This meant that during the second half of the 1940s, British car manufacturers were exporting cars in great numbers to help rebuild the economy. In 1946, UK car manufacturers exported more than 98,000 cars, predominantly to the USA. Total cars imported into the UK in the same year was 63. These numbers remained consistent for every year of the 1940s. This is what makes vehicles like this Hudson such a rarity in the UK.
This particular Hudson looks to be quite a solid vehicle. There are no obvious signs of major rust, and the body looks to be quite straight. The car is complete, and all of the external trim appears to be present. Some items will require restoration, but that is probably par for the course for a vehicle of this age.
As with the exterior, the interior is also complete, although once again, restoration will be required. I really love the dash on these Pickups. When you compare them with their competition of the era, they are quite luxurious. The Hudson was also one of the few commercial vehicles of the era that featured a column shift for the transmission. This allowed Hudson to fit the vehicle with a bench seat, making the vehicle a true 3-seater.
Mechanically the Hudson is also largely complete. The only item missing is the radiator. Otherwise, the original 262ci straight-six engine is in place and is backed by the 3-speed manual transmission. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the engine turns freely, so that is a bit of an unknown quantity.
For our UK Barn Finders, this 1947 Hudson Pickup probably represents a rare opportunity. Production figures indicate that approximately 3,000 Pickups were manufactured by Hudson in 1947, so you could logically assume that the numbers that reached the UK would be very low. The seller suggests that this vehicle would make a terrific rat rod project, but I think that there would be significantly more value in the vehicle if it were to undergo a full restoration. It is also a pretty safe bet that if one of our UK readers were to buy and restore this, then it would likely be the only example present if it were then entered into a car show.
Great writeup Adam, interesting story too if I lived in the UK I’d be wanting this very long and low truck. The only down side to owning this of in the UK is getting parts for it, everything would have to come from the US. This will no doubt raise the cost of restoration up considerably. I really like the styling very sleek for a truck. I sure hope this truck gets rescued.
Just about three hours drive from me here in the southwest of England. If only I had the funds and storage facilities. What a lovely, lovely old pickup.
I too, congratulate you Adam on your write up.
I’m curious whether it is right hand drive or left. If it were right-hand drive, it would be quite unique. I know the picture looks like it is left-hand, but that photo may have been unknowingly flipped and we are talking about the UK.
Thanks again for your write-up.
looks like left hand drive to me, I to was curious. Also, great write up.
If you look at the Speedo, reading from 20 to 100mph (WOW ?), left to right, then the picture’s not been flipped, so it IS LHD.
Cool truck
Thank you Rovinman
I didn’t see that !
I bought one of these 20 years ago out of a Northern California junk yard for 300.00. The styling is great (as many Hudson’s are) but mechanically they are pretty boring, very low horsepower in a heavy chassis and not particularly robust either. My dad said they were a part time job just keeping them running, they had soft blocks that required re-ringing often to control burning oil. If they were better quality, ( like say a Chrysler straight 8 powertrain) I would have to own one……I sold the one I bought for 2,000 in the Central Valley within the month.
Actually Adam, this is the textbook definition of “deja vu”, the FEELING that one has seen something or been someplace before. Otherwise, a great writeup.
Bullocks ,bloody hell two surfice on each side of the pond . What are the odds of that happening again .
They are Epic trucks awaiting refurbished….
I hope someone having a pint 🍺 pulls the trigger on one.
Dirk- to quote the Great Yogi Berra:
It’s Deja vu all over again!!!
Cheers
GPC
I think this is one of the best looking “Utes’ ever made. I’d love to have one despite their sluggish rep
Original restoration! These are beauties all cleaned up and painted.
I saw a restored version of this truck at the Arthritis car show in Columbus a couple years back. The cool factor was 11 on a scale to ten.
Actually Hudson had a factory at Chiswick West London for many years.
After the Nash takeover and the eventual change to Rambler Motors (AMC) Ltd, they went from a manufacturer to a distributor. For a while Kelvinator made fridges there.
I am researching the history of this site.
That is a very strange looking pickup. It looks like a foot was added to both the front and rear ends. At the back it makes for cargo capacity but at the front? For a 6 cylinder engine? Can’t see the attraction to this one.
There are several of these in the UK.Don’t think they were sold here when new though.
I was thinking about a Hudson in the UK. Hudson and Nash were the same company at this time (I think) and off course there were close ties between Donald Healey and Nash. I wonder is there is a connection there? Maby he even imported some of these as work trucks in his factory? There was nothing like it in the UK at the time.
Hudson and Nash merged in 1954
This is just the beginning of a great mystery! Now, I want to know more about its past! LOL, good article!
Good write up Adam, and interesting info on the GB history.
Small correction for you though. The one we had the other day had a supposed ’49 engine transplant that could have been a 262 cu. in. The original engine in these, which this one still has, is 212 cu. in.
In reference to a remark above, Hudson blocks were known to have a higher nickel contend than industry typical, making them some of the hardest available. Perhaps the perceived excessive ring wear had an alternate contributor.
Uncle Bob beat me to it and is exactly right. If you want more power the later stepdown sixes including the 308 Hornet motors are an easy swap- almost a bolt in
that’s not the “Big Boy” is it? (Do U know SS?).
They look fantastic fully restored.
John – many co.s would put out a model together altho having many other seperate lines individually. (like rock bands of the 60s – some Beatles’n R. Stones on a song or 2).
I like it very much and contacted the seller. The car recently was imported to UK from kansas.
What value might be reasonable ?
What a great pickup – and thanks the writeup too -though. I suspect this is a recent import . If only I had the space…..
I was at a huge classic car weekend show at the NEC in Birmingham UK this weekend and there was a Hudson business coupe of the same year-in barn find condition save mechanics sorted and car running. It was one (of two) dream take home cars of the show for me ! (the other a Mk 1 Zephyr 6)
I for sure hope this doesn’t get rodded/resto modded or whatever …either restore to as new or sort the mechanics and enjoy !
“The Hudson was also one of the few commercial vehicles of the era that featured a column shift for the transmission. This allowed Hudson to fit the vehicle with a bench seat, making the vehicle a true 3-seater.”
Numerous cars in the ’30s had floor shift with bench seats. We used to call one with the appropriate bends in the lever a “Thank you ma’am”, for obvious reasons. In my ’39 Ford third gear was usually to the right of my girlfriend’s knees anyway!
Dear All !
Since about 4 years I read BARNFIND every morning. When I saw this HUDSON big boy I fall in love at once and after many days of thinking and evaluating I bought it. Last week the seller delivered the car to me and now my Cristmas present is here ! I am very, very happy and will have a lot of work for the next years. I will keep the truck’s “patina” and it will not be painted anywhere.
THANKS A LOT TO BARNFIND !!!
With happy greetings from Germany
Frank
Great news Frank – and really hope you enjoy the Hudson. I’m sure the readers here would appreciate updates as the work progresses if you have time..but in the meantime hope all goes well with its reawakening – it’s a wonderful pickup !
Congrats & have lots of pleasure from it!
Merry Christmas!
Now if Santa could find me that Cord 810 sedan……..
Thanks Andrew, I also hope so…
Good luck for your dream: I just googeled: wow, what a beauty !!!
Frank
Thanks Ian: it’s really a wonderful pickup with perfect styling…
I hope to find someone offering the HUDSON spare parts I will need (e.g. “modern” (safe) windows, original sheet metal for the cab floor, engine parts, radiator etc.)
Enjoy Christmas (and barn finds, too !)
Frank
That will draw a crowd in Germany. It wouldn’t fit down some streets we travel in the Eifel. You will have great fun with it. I had a buddy in Germany in the late 70’s that had several Austin Healy 3000’s. He would get delayed at traffic lights so many people wanted to see them.
Hi Dave !
I just read that long time ago you have owned a HUDSON pick up, too. Do you still have some fotos of this one ? I would like to see “him” here !
THANKS
Frank
I do……..but they are pre-digital………I have thousands of photos of vehicles and projects taken before the advent of digital photography. I actually have a degree in photography but other than just using it……digital sort of escapes me. I still have my Leica’s, Linhof’s and Hasselblads but they don’t get much use any more. We will be in Germany for the spring fo pickup our new AMG GLC63 in Stuttgart and explore the wine fests on the Mosel. (Maby a little time in Bavaria and Vienna) . I really should buy an apartment in Bernkastel. I would be glad to make some copies to send you. Argonaut110…….Yahoo….
..any news on the pickup Frank ?
Dear Ian !
Hey, thanks for interest !!!
After receipt I disassembled the whole car, engine and gearbox and found some serious “problems”…
– The frame suffered from severe corrosion and it must be repaired at all wheels areas
– The engine suffered from water inside the intake manifold: many valves and pistons were blocked but the cylinders still look good (HUDSON used best cast iron at that time…).
– There also was a big amount of water below the oil inside the crankcase…: the crankshaft got some corrosion spots… By chance I just bought 2 1/2 original HUDSON 212 engines from Amerika and I hope, to get 2 good running engines from my engines at all.
I only work on old motorbikes and cars during the winter. Thus the restoration will take a long time but I am happy to have this “big boy” in my garage.
I would like to get connections to the original owner to get some information about the HUDSON’s history. I only have pictures from the barn where the seller picked up the truck. Is it possible to upload this pictures and to ask for reader’s help ?
Frank
Hi Frank
Many thanks the reply and update – I really liked the pickup
and wondered what had happened so far
Sounds like you have a lot of work on your (winter) hands but importantly you seem to have the skills to do it. Body and chassis can be difficult but engines easier (ish) esp if you have spare ones. Older engines are so simple compared to what we have today
Hope you find out more of its history and REALLY look forward to hearing more about it and progress
Thanks again
Ian
Dear All !
I am still busy with other projects and the HUDSON has to wait for some more time…
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 pick up truck), on which my HUDSON was shipped from last owner’s property. It 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 and greetings from Germany !
Frank