1947 Hudson Commercial 6 Series 178 Cab Pickup

The first truck to bear the Hudson name exclusively began in 1937 when Hudson introduced the dual-purpose 'utility coupe,' which was both a car and a pickup. It had a cargo box that slid out from the trunk like a drawer and provided as much as 8 feet of carrying capacity.

In 1942, the utility coupe was replaced with two pickups resting on 116- and 128-inch wheelbases.

In late 1945, civilian automobile production resumed, and the Hudson Motor Car Company simplified its passenger-car and commercial-vehicle lines with four series of passenger models, including the Commodore 6 and 8, and the Super 6 and 8 - all fitted on the 121-inch wheelbase chassis. The Hudson commercial line was trimmed to just one model, the 3/4-ton Series 58 Commercial 6, the sole Hudson for both 1946 and 1947. The 1946 and 1947 Hudson pickups had car styling, a 128-inch wheelbase, and a large cargo capacity. The interiors offered comfortable seating and numerous comfort and convenience options.

In 1946, Hudson Commercial vehicles accounted for 3,104 sales, followed by 2,917 for 1947 - which would be their final year in production.

From 1929 through 1947, Hudson's Commercial line totaled 30,199 vehicles.

This particular 1947 Hudson Commercial Six Cab Pickup was manufactured in April of 1947. It entered the Eldon Hostetler collection for an individual who had inherited it from her father, who restored the truck for her use prior to his eventual passing. Mr. Hostetler purchased the pickup in 2001 and had the floor of the cargo bed restored with wooden planks.

Powering this Cab Pickup is a 212 cubic-inch L-head inline six-cylinder engine fitted with a single Carter carburetor and offering 102 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2019