‘Gentlemanly‘ Hudson pickup truck updated in period style

Long and low, the Hudson pickup truck of the 1930s and early ’40s was a highly stylish alternative to those of the other Detroit brands, although only a fraction was sold compared with those of the Big 3.    

The Pick of the Day, a 1942 Hudson Big Boy Cab Pickup, was a rare truck right from the start, with only 47 of them sold that model year before the Hudson factory was converted to making aircraft fuselages and other weaponry for the war effort.

“This incredible Hudson Cab Pickup has been restored to a show quality and tastefully sports the appropriate look of its period,” according to the Marietta, Georgia, dealer advertising the truck on ClassicCars.com. “It displays outstanding panel fit, superior paintwork, bright work and an interior trim finish second to none.

“It sits with a graceful slight nose low stance. With its intricate grille, a pair of period-correct amber fog lights, running lights on the fenders, Hudson triangle motif accent lights on the hood, steel wheels, dog-dish hubcaps, beauty rings, wide-whitewall tires and the rear bed trunk mounted to the high gloss oak bed floor, (the pickup)  makes a visual statement of gentlemanly sophistication and grace.”

The Hudson has been finished in Strawberry Red with a tan leather interior, with mostly correct mechanical components with some modern upgrades.

“Under the hood you will find it has been upgraded to 12V electrics,” the seller says. “Refitted with a 1954 Hudson Twin H-Power engine of NASCAR fame: a straight six, L head, 308-cubic-inch, 170 horsepower, 260 (pounds-feet) of torque, a factory dual-carburetor setup that utilizes dual Carter WA1-barrel carburetors, with a Hudson-GM Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission and dual exhaust.” 

The interior has been kept in its original configuration, the ad says, complete with its ’40s style decorative trim.

“When you look into the Art Deco interior, it remains original and intact down to the fabulous steering wheel, transmission gear selector, center dash Zenith tube radio, original clock in the glove box, Weather Master heater, push button start and lights, and original restored gauges, all in prefect working order,” the seller ads.

The dealer includes a large gallery of photos with the ad, which show the exemplary condition of this vintage pickup, as well as a lengthy description of the truck and Hudson history.

Point of fact: the company was named after Joseph L. Hudson, a Detroit department store entrepreneur and founder of Hudson’s department store, who provided the capital to start auto production 1909.  Many people think the automaker was named after Henry Hudson, the 16^th Century English explorer. 

This unusual and attractive truck, which should get loads of attention everywhere it goes, is priced at a significant $85,000.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.