This pickup truck, a unique and interesting 1946 Hudson, ended its service to humanity some time ago and lay abandoned along with other rusty farm implements gone to scrap. Fast-forward thirty years or more and this weathered yard art in Strum, Wisconsin finds itself for sale here on eBay where four bids have driven its value above $1500.
Normally we feature vehicles, but we’ve made an exception today. All joking aside it might be slightly faster to create a vehicle using what’s left of this one than to buy an English wheel, planishing hammer, and other metal-forming tools, learn to use them, and create your own 1946 Hudson Pickup truck.
Shove aside the snow drifts and the Art Deco dash appears to have held up well considering Wisconsin winters rarely favor abandoned ferrous metal. The buyer may be held responsible for re-homing the menagerie of woodland creatures that will no doubt be left homeless when this truck is disturbed for the purpose of sale. The stain it leaves behind may require generations of tending before it again germinates vegetation.
Right then; not much to see here, but some time ago this hole would have likely been filled by the lovely Hudson inline “Super Six” engine making 102 HP. While the low ground clearance and car-like appearance may suggest these Hudson pickups were restricted to hauling a few hay bales or fresh eggs to market, all 1946 Hudson pickups were rated at 3/4 ton, and came with war-proven technology (thanks to curbsideclassic.com for some details). Aside from inspiring farmers around the globe to reconsider other rotting corpses long-forgotten in their fields, how do you value this once-attractive and hard-working farm truck?
the 4 dor & wagon on which this was based were nice too, but this’s got em all beat. Just hope no 1 rods this…there’s just soooo much to bring back.
Getting a super 6, twin H power, or the 3 speed OD really tough….sooo0Oh much to bring back.
Tough call/big project. Maybe find a donnor Ranger or S10 extended cab for frame/engine/running gear…more of a nice driver/tribute as opposed to a full on resto-mod/rod.
Here is a similar vintage Studebaker Coupe-Express.
Such a stylish pickup truck, not sure it’s salvageable. If the outer sheet metal could be repurposed over a later model truck chassis with a straight 6 for power that would be cool.
I love these trucks. That bed alone I would think is worth the present bid..on my bucket list…..someday…..
Agreed. ’46 and ’47’s are great looking trucks! There was an unrestored ’46 making the rounds of the local car-show circuit a season or so ago, and it generated a serious crowd wherever it was. I have seen worse for sale for more money. So I hope this truck finds its savoir.
Ambitious restoration. Worth it? You bet. Very, VERY rare. I must correct the author, I believe Hudson offered both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models. The 3/4 ton, which I think this is, was known as “the Big Boy”, from previous years.( although, not officially called that after the war) It was not very popular. Over the years, I’ve been to many car shows, even out east, and never saw one. Through out history, car makers kept introducing these types of car/trucks, and none, except the El Camino, really sold well. Unbelievable find, even as is.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2011/11/Hudson-s-Haulers/3705201.html
@Rube Goldberg – Ranchero?
I think the Falcon Ranchero’s were a better way to go, after they got bigger, I think the El Camino was a lot more popular.
This is one of my bucket list car/trucks as well. I used to see one on a local main thoroughfare here in Phoenix years ago. It was on a used car lot, on car lot row. They were not offering it for sale, but the back bed always seemed filled with bent / twisted junk car parts. The automotive remains didn’t look out of place, when compared to the truck that was storing them.
The paint looked marginally better than that of the subject of this article. The tires / wheels looked original to the truck. But this truck clearly could be driven, and had Phoenix’s standard level of rust: none.
I often imagined the old workhorse completely renewed, with a glassy metallic paint job, custom leather interior, and mahogany bed. My vision even included a Jaguar V-12, stripped to fighting weight, with 6 Weber carbs, under that gorgeous, seemingly made-for-a-12, bonnet. The diff. and suspension would be Jaguar, as well, complete with inboard brakes.
The cherry on top would be a set of wheels that I have had forever, but never found an appropriate vehicle (is that a great double entendre or what?). I have a set of the copyright-violation, Mickey Thompson produced, copies of Keystone Classics, IN MAGNESIUM! They are slightly more common than hen’s teeth, but not by much. They are uni-lug! They’ll fit anything I choose. Polished to perfection and installed on that Hudson, they would complete the masterpiece. Sorta like vehicular A-1 Sauce. Such was my musing – when I had time.
I was a student at ASU back then, and meant to stop in and ask about it, but always seemed to be in a hurry whenever I passed by.
One day, I noticed ‘my’ truck was missing. So was the car lot. Everything was gone.
From time to time I wonder what ever became of that rolling gathering of possibilities. This offering just brought it back like I had seen it again, only recently.
Thank you.
Throw it on a K5 Blazer frame with 33’s, a small block 350 and auto trans, get some aftermarket seats in it, upgrade the brakes, and run over stuff with it until it falls apart!
TriPowerVett,
We are kindred spirits. It would be cheaper and easier to use the front and rear suspensions from an XJ6. And you would not have to deal with the inboard brakes when servicing time came. This vehicle is not light enough to be concerned about the extra unsprung weight. I have never understood people going for the “Mustang II” front suspensions on full size cars and pickups. The Jag just unbolts as a complete unit and is ready to go. (after possibly altering the width if needed). And it is the Chevy (4 3/4″) bolt pattern!
I like the V12 thought. But how about an EFI Ford 300 6 cylinder with a T5 5 speed and a supercharger? How’s that for different? Gobs of torque and very decent fuel economy.
There is a gentleman in Northville NY who has a pickup like this one and he uses it as a everyday driver year round ( not his only car ) and its only about two steps up from this one , it purrs like a kitten , really kool ride
That fella has 2 trucks and is the keeper of the HUDSON club roster for pickups.
These are beautiful trucks ! I saw one last year during Hot August Nights in Reno, NV. It looked to be a “survivor” rather than either a restoration or restomod. The paint was chipped and cracked, but from 30 feet away she looked great ! Years ago, there was an independent mechanic shop in my hometown, and both of the owner / mechanics drove Hudson pickups like this one once was as their daily drivers. One had the twin carb engine from a Hornet in it. They worked on mainly American cars, but every once in a while you’d see a Jag in for some work.
There’s one like this in Monrovia, Ca., appears to be a runner. It’s a faded pistachio green color. Might be the coolest ride in town.
Hey Doug, the one in Reno belongs to a guy that collects exotic stuff like Delages, Mid 20’s Rolls Royces, Delahays ( sp?) and regularly competes at Monterey and does quite well. He uses the Hudson as his only pickup. It is all original and will stay that way.
What fantastic lines ,and style, I sure wish they
Built them like that now….!😍rare is right…!
These are really long, it seems…but had some
Really great curves….!…..I always have liked curves……😎
I’ve owned 2 of these trucks. Errrr, really 1 and 1/2. One I bought was on a 1/2 ton Chevy truck frame with a 350 and AOD trans. The AC and pwr steering made it into a usable driver. Anything less would have made it a traffic hazard on the freeway in Phoenix. I drove that truck a lot and it was a lot of fun. I sold it to a friend who changed it over to an S10 frame ( the wheels fit under the sheetmetal, narrower frame.) He owned it for about 10 years and one day I spotted it on Craigslist for $15,500. I called and told him to raise the price to $18,500 (which he did). It sold to the first looker (for my suggested price). The buyer was a Grand Prix driver from Finland. So my old Hudson PK may be the only one in Finland today.
The other was a Cab and front clip I found on its side in a wash in Tonapah, NV. Someone long ago had cut it in 1/2 behind the cab to make a trailer out of the bed. I had to wait until the old guy who had it passed and bought it from the son. Having to many projects, I sold it to a friend who has a real skill for making cool rods out of very little to start with. Today its on a S10 frame with a turbocharged Chevy V6 and all the modern upgrades. Out of his extensive car collection it’s his favorite ride. From time to time I see his wife driving it to and from work. So Sam61 is right. Not everything is a candidate for full original restoration. But better suited to a second life as a custom build.
Gonna have another one again someday….