Update 4/11/20 – This rare Hudson pickup has been relisted here on eBay with no reserve!
From 1/8/20 – When you look at its low, swooping lines, you can clearly see why some members of the custom car community see the 1947 Hudson Pickup as such a hot candidate for a project. It is a vehicle with the style that is well suited to this, but there are also plenty of enthusiasts out there who like nothing more than restoring these old classics to their original splendor. Regardless of which camp you fall into, this particular vehicle is one that shows a lot of promise. Located in Hayward, California, you will find the Hudson listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN for the Hudson has been set at $9,900, but there is the option to make an offer.
Finding a Hudson Pickup project vehicle without rust is going to be a pretty tall order, so it is no surprise to discover that this one has a few problems. These are by no means insurmountable because while the frame wears a pretty heavy coating of corrosion and scaling, it does at least appear to be very solid. The floors are the main concern, and while there is going to be a bit of work involved in getting them right, it looks like someone is at least trying to give the next owner a bit of a head start. The current owner purchased it complete with some steel which he believes might be a “mock-up” or template for new floor pans. It is certainly worth a look because if that’s what they are, then it could potentially save a lot of hassles. Even if these can’t be used, there are a limited number of suppliers who can provide floor pans, and they generally seem to run out at around $150 per side. The body sports a fair collection of dings and dents, but they all appear to be repairable. What is a real plus is the fact that the grille is present, and it seems to be in relatively good condition. These can be quite prone to damage, and replacements certainly couldn’t be classified as the cheapest parts on the planet.
When you compare the interior of the Hudson with the equivalent offerings from companies such as Ford and General Motors, traveling in the Hudson was quite a luxurious experience. The fit and finish was of a very high standard, while you also received such luxuries as a clock and a radio. Both of those items are still present in the unmodified dash. The dash itself looks like it would restore quite nicely, while the seat appears to have been fitted with a new cover at some point, and this seems to be in good condition. Whether the next owner retains this or not will be a matter of choice. Given the fact that the door trims will require new upholstery, and a new headliner will need to be sourced and fitted, this could be a good opportunity for the next owner to retrim the interior in a material that is either close to the original, or something that is more to their own personal taste.
Under the hood of the Hudson, we find the 212ci flathead 6-cylinder engine, which in its heyday, produced 102hp. This power is then sent to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission. The Hudson doesn’t currently run, but it isn’t clear just how bad the news might be in this respect. The current owner has made no attempt to revive the car, but he says that the previous owner did get the engine running successfully. Unfortunately, it did blow a lot of smoke, so there is every chance that a rebuild is going to be on the cards. Of course, if the next owner intends following the custom route, then there is every possibility that this simply won’t be an issue.
There are a number of paths that the next owner could choose to follow with this 1947 Hudson Pickup. I can certainly see merit in using it as a basis for a restoration, a rat rod, or a custom. Its lines are perfect for a custom build, and I have no problems envisaging it with some wider steel wheels with trim rings and the original hubcaps, and a more modern V8 under the hood. However, I am also aware that as this was the final year of production for the Hudson Pickup, only 2,917 vehicles actually rolled off the production line. This is a tiny percentage of Hudson’s total production of roughly 95,000 vehicles for that model year, and it does make it a relatively rare classic. For that reason, my preference would be to see it restored. What do you think?
I’m thinking if not restored then perhaps a restomod keeping the original look to the outside and inside but making it drivable on the highway. The extra chrome trim is interesting.
I hope it stays original, the history far outweighs what someone might do to this. I’m glad the author did not refer to this as a “Big Boy”. They dropped that moniker for post war trucks, but didn’t matter. Like all car/pickups, they had a limited following, and generally faded out, in Hudsons case, pretty quick. Nothing wrong with the flathead, went on to be quite a hit with racing, should do just fine today. Doesn’t say if it has O/D, I don’t see any controls, about the only thing I’d modify, is the final drive. For once, priced right for something like this. Too nice to butcher, please.
Low to the ground…with car-like design cues.Absolutely a hotrod restomod.
Input from the butcher shop.
It’s not a real Hudson pickup. It’s a converted sedan. Rear window and doors are not correct.
Quadstyer is correct. There were exposed runningboards on the pickups. No flared doors or fenders. Rear fender is also incorrect. Pickup bed is not the one Hudson used. Tailgate is down. Normally the word HUDSON is stamped on it. No indication of that here. A bit high priced IMHO feel for what used to be called a ‘cut down’. But I guess thats up to whoever wants this vehicle bad enough.
Restore it. There weren’t many when new, and not many survive. Plenty of other candidates to convert to a hot rod. Leave this one for the purists
This was converted from a car and was not originally a truck. Telltale signs are the covers over the running boards and the rear fenders, which were from a car. Also the engine is from a later Hudson, probably a 232 or 262.
Good eye! Restomod this beauty.
You’re right, don. The running boards were covered by the doors on the sedans but not the pickups. Also, on the right side the running board is covered between the door and the back fender. On the left, it isn’t. The engine is not a 212 and there is no vin listed in the ad. This is a frankentruck.
There was a car dealer in our town that had one on his lot in the ’70s. The stock
drive line was long gone and in its place was a 383 V8/727 tranny from a totalled
police car. It wasn’t fully finished when I
saw it but it was drivable. As I’d pass his
lot, I’d have the usual fantasies about it
being mine. But when you’re on the road
playing music, you don’t have time for such things. I’ve seen several of these over the years with the most recent sighting not far from Gary’s Roadhouse
in Lakeland Florida. Like this truck, it
needs a lot of work and looks to be
for sale. It’s funny how these thing just
follow me around.
Great looking ride! I would have to relocate the front blinkers to the top of the bumper. It seems strange to me, after all these years she never got any outside mirrors? Looks like a cool old Mopar ragtop across the street also.
Photos on the BF write up show a spare tire divot on both driver’s and passenger rear fenders. I presume the one photo was flipped of it washed at the end of a driveway. So which side did the exposed spare go?
Nope, BOTH sides. It carried 2 spares as tires were NOT that good in those days and that is a heavy vehicle.
I like the looks of the long hood. I wonder if they still have the chrome . That went along the top of the hood. Good place for rain of fall on the motor. Like the 49 Chevrolet Fleetlines. I,d work it to be safe to drive. Drive it and work on it to paint it a nice color. Probably black. haha
Beautiful survivor, and scarce. Hope that it will be kept original and loved on a daily basis. But, a Hudson as rare as this could be a huge money pit. Good luck!
212 is a correct engine for a ’47 Hudson. The spare tire indentation in the rear fender did not come from a car. Why does anyone think this was converted from a car?
Yes a 212 was stock but the engine in this is not a 212. Indents for spare tires did not come on a truck either. Just look at a picture of a correct truck to see all of the differences. Still a cool truck but it was converted from a sedan at some point.
Looks a bit like smokey off of cars 3.
This truck belongs restored, as it is a very rare truck that isn’t easy to find among the sea of Ford, Chevy, and Dodge trucks of the same era.
I am not the world’s expert on Hudson trucks, although I really like them. (I did have a ’47 Club Coupe for awhile.) But as soon as I saw this one I thought that there was something odd about it. In checking back on the internet I only find one that has the door cover over the running board. (like on my old coupe) and none have the covers rear of the doors. There is one picture of a spare mounted on both sides. I suppose that it is possible that there was “optional” appearance package. But my thought is that someone installed coupe doors. I still love it and if space and time permitted I would go after this one. IF, the engine was salvageable, I would most likely restore it. But I would have a hard time not installing a 300 Ford 6 or a poked and stroked 4.9 (300) AMC straight 6 with a 5 speed. Either engine would be a good and neat swap and would be a great cruiser. (updated brakes also be required) OR just swap the body over to a modern (after 1965) chassis.
I hope the Hot Rodders keep their modifing hands off this one it’s history and the rarity of this vehicle shows so restorers step up save it and savour it’s worth
I’ve had 3 of these trucks, having acquired the first one 37 years ago. I’m not sure this is a converted car. More likely a truck with a lot of car parts on it, like the doors and the (welded on!) rear fenders, as has been mentioned. With all the rust and incorrect parts on this one, not worth doing a full original restoration. There are much better Hudson truck candidates out there for that. Since this one has to come all the way apart anyway set the sheet metal on a S-10 frame with a V6 Turbo or a V8 with OAD. So many people see Hudson pickups and equate ” rare” blah blah blah and throw out a big $#. This ones worth at best, 1/2 the asking price. One in semi better condition just went thru Ebay last month at $5500 and got no bids.
Good work, I wasn’t into these enough to think it was a converted sedan. Someone went through a lot of trouble to make this and I think the layperson still might appreciate it. With that known now, I say resto-mod the heck out of it. Drop it on a RAM 4×4 chassis, Cummins diesel,,,since it’s already not original, go nuts.
Ugliest pick up I ever did see!! Don’t know who the designers were or if this is someone’s idea of a custom but I wouldn’t take it if you gave it to me!!
here’s a pretty nice Big Boy:
https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0517-282567/1947-hudson-pickup/
Stewie from Family Guy.
It is cool since it is different. But it does look like a stork with the long nose and swooping roof line. Otherwise, hope it gets some attention!
Same comments as before. Lots of faults found by commenters. No reserve means possible sale. Would like to see it after restoration. Just no hydraulic suspension please.
God bless America
Weather it is a “cut down” or a factory off the line truck, I’ve never said this about a truck before……
But this thing is gorgeous!
keep it as is, make it safe, comfortable and powerful , address any serious rust but give it 3 coats of clear :)
dat aint no ‘pick up’ son
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=1947+pick+up&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Thats a Terriplane or BIG BOY
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1946-hudson-pickup-with-a-surprise/
good pic on my earlier post