This 1923 Hudson Super-Six Paddy Wagon can be found at the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois. The asking price is $24,998 for this unique vehicle. And, if you haven’t been to the Volo Museum yet, it’s a must-see destination, you will love it!
This is a tribute truck for the Chicago P.D. and it would be a heck of an addition for anyone who collects police vehicles. It’s a gangster-era truck, or car, or paddy wagon, and it even comes with a couple of mannequins dressed in period garb.
The Hudson Super-Six, like most cars of the early-1920s, had wooden spoke wheels and they also had mechanical brakes on the rear wheels only, so plan ahead for stops. I don’t know if this particular car has been beefed up in the back, or if it’s just for show. This would have been a heavy vehicle if the rear compartment was actually reinforced so as to keep the gangsters in the back.
The Hudson Super-Six had a three-speed sliding gear transmission. In 1924, Hudson made a few “updates” to the car, so the 1923 model looked a little primitive, comparatively. Although the changes were subtle, I’m assuming that folks from that era could pick out the differences like folks today can pick out the differences when car manufacturers make changes today.
The Super-Six was the first engine built by Hudson, whereas the company previously designed engines that were built by the Continental Motors Company. It was known for being smooth and it was the first engine that had a balanced-crankshaft which allowed it to operate at a higher RPM and to develop more power than low-speed engines would put out. This is a 289 cubic inch inline-six with 76 hp. This isn’t an original vehicle, but I think that it would be fun to own. Are you into police vehicles such as this classic Hudson Super-Six tribute paddy wagon?
Can you imagine the stories that an actual Chicago paddy wagon from the 20’s could tell?
Looks like something from “The Untouchables”, which focused on the crime of the early 30’s in Chicago.
Reminds me of the time I bought a boarder patrol step van from GSA. It had been used at one of the check points in Southern California. It contained a generator to power the lights when they were working at night. It was 20 years old and only had 12,000 miles, it was driven maby 200 yards a day, from the impound yard to the check point. The funny….and tragic thing that happened with the old truck was when I came around a corner driving it in Saticoy California on a Sunday afternoon. (I kept a large yard and shop there) the small town was mostly populated by Mexican field workers and they were having a huge after mass party in a front yard. The entire place evacuated…..quickly when they saw that fully labeled Border Patrol paddy waggon come around the corner. It really made me feel bad but you had to be amused by it at the same time.
Cool!
So what the heck is a “tribute” truck? And “if the rear compartment was actually reinforced” makes me think this may be somebody’s recreation.. Is this truck legit, or not?