Rare Running Truck: 1935 Hudson Terraplane

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While most folks who remember the Hudson Terraplane think of it as a passenger car, it was also available for a time as a pickup. Terraplane production ran from 1932 to 1938 with less than 1,300 commercial vehicles (including this pickup) assembled in 1935. The seller’s truck is said to be just one of four known to exist today, but we don’t know the source of that information. It’s available in Redondo Beach, California, and here on craigslist for $20,000. Another rare tip brought to us by T.J.!

Hudson Motor Car Co. was in business from 1909 to 1954 when they merged with Nash-Kelvinator to form American Motors. One of their most memorable products was the Terraplane, which was a strange name for a vehicle but lent itself well to some of the company’s marketing. One of their slogans was, “On the sea that’s aquaplaning, in the air that’s aeroplaning, but on the land, in the traffic, on the hills, hot diggity dog, that’s terraplaning”. Would that jingle have been enough to make you go out and buy one back in 1935?

The Terraplane in commercial form also came as a ¾-ton utility coach and a panel truck. The seller doesn’t say much about this 88-year-old vehicle or provide a lot of photos. We’re told it’s been in the seller’s family for the past 30 years and runs and drives with a current registration. Does it need work, cosmetic or mechanical? Probably. Are there only a few left? Also, probably. Is it one of just four remaining on the planet? That’s up to the buyer to decide.

Comments

  1. Cattoo Cattoo

    I saw a restored one of these on My Classic Car that is on a streaming channel on tv. Beautiful truck and almost too fancy looking to use as a truck

    Like 6
    • Roykirk

      I like the way the roof slopes forward.

      Like 6
  2. Maggy

    The one pic has it running. Really cool truck. I don’t know how to value it but I think it’s worth it.Looks solid . Need more pics and info. The fenders are elegant and the way the cab has that forward tilt is neat.Glwts.I’d love to own it.

    Like 6
  3. jjtrossen

    Suicide doors on a PICKUP TRUCK! Amazing!

    Like 4
    • George sapia

      Yes many trucks from 33 to 46 had suicide doors

      Like 1
  4. MikeH

    If the drivetrain is still Hudson ( it looks to be, although the air cleaner isn’t original and blocks the view) this truck is a steal.

    Like 1
  5. HCMember

    Wow! What a beauty! A 35 Hudson Terraplane truck? Difficult to find anywhere, anymore. Period. What a Great find. Sure seller has no problem getting his asking price.

    Like 2
  6. Richard Helmutt

    It’s Shape Is Very Cool <3
    Like the 1937 Gent with His Hat Tipped Forward?
    Love the whole thing. It's Beautiful.and It Runs.?

    Like 2
  7. Glenn SchwassMember

    Very nice truck. Looks to only need an interior to start and whatever might be lurking. Beautiful lines.

    Like 1
  8. chrlsful

    go on ya Russ, beginning of ‘the classics’ (in my nomenclature) till very early ’50s. Here’s a coup as: hudson, terraplane, truck. A hat trick !
    I love the doors too.

    Like 1
  9. matt

    Nice find ! Nice truck !

    Like 1
  10. Douglas FournierMember

    This is a great find and worth every penny. This is probably the best example of a 1935 Terraplane pickup you will ever find as it is complete and runs and drives. Happy Hudsoning to the new owner. There are only 4 or 5 of these known to exist today. Please don’t street rod this.

    Like 5
    • BOLIVAR SHAGNASTY

      I just hope Bad Chad doesn’t see this truck. He would probably turn it into a 4 door sedan.

      Like 2
      • Wayne from Oz

        Bad Chad should’ve not be let near any car. I watched 5 of his shows, couldn’t take anymore

        Like 2
  11. NW Iowa

    There was one at a local farm acreage that was being bulldozed to make into crop land. I asked the guy if I could buy some parts off of it. “Sure, take what you want for free”. It was rusted, dented everywhere and lying on its side. All I could find and remove was the hood ornament, which I still have. A couple of days later it was crushed along with a Farmall F20 and old machinery.
    Back then in the 1970’s and 1980’s I used to ply Iowa and South Dakota gravel roads with plat books searching farm groves for old vehicles. I found many! Sadly, there’s almost nothing to be found anymore.

    Like 1
  12. Igor M Sill

    Here’s my 1935 Hudson Terraplane. Love this guy! And, yes, I believe there are only 2 maybe 3 others left. I heard tat Packard was so impressed with the 34, 35 Terraplane grill tat they copied it.

    Like 0
    • Wayne from Oz

      I can’t see any resemblance between the Hudson and Packard grilles.

      Like 0

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