Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
LOT 26
1946 Hudson Super Six Pickup Chassis no. 3851378
Estimate: US$40,000 - US$50,000
Lot 26
1946 Hudson Super Six Pickup
1946 Hudson Super Six Pickup
Chassis no. 3851378
Chassis no. 3851378
212ci L-Head Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carter Carburetor
103bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Solid Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*A rare and supremely stylish car-forward pickup
*Robust Hudson six-cylinder power
*Comprehensive older restoration
*Conceived by America's first female car designer, Betty Thatcher
THE HUDSON PICKUP
Like its competitors, Hudson rushed back to the market at the end of World War II, with lightly refreshed versions of its pre-war models to save on tooling. In the case of Hudson, this was not necessarily a bad thing, however, as the marque had a well-deserved reputation for quality and value. Hudson's two-model lineup consisted of the Super Six and Commodore Eight, with a wealth of body styles for each. On the utility side, Hudson returned with its innovative "Hudson Cab Pickup" blending truck-like utility with passenger car levels of comfort and convenience in a distinctly stylish package. Originally conceived in the pre-war period as the Terraplane Big Boy by the young designer Betty Thatcher (the American motor industry's first female designer), it was an idea well ahead of its time, predating the Ford Ranchero and Chevrolet El Camino by more than a decade. A few detail changes were made in 1946 and 1947, but the fundamental design was still Thatcher's. These comfortable, robust and refined trucks should have been a hit for Hudson, but sales were limited, with just 1,900 Super Sixes sold in 1946. The slow sales coupled with the introduction of the new "Step-Down" Hudsons of 1948 spelled the end for this uniquely stylish car-pickup mashup.
THE CAR OFFERED
Resplendent in its vivid blue livery with cream wheels and gleaming chrome trim, this '46 Hudson Super Six Pickup is one of just a handful of known survivors. According to the consignor, this truck was acquired out of Colorado in 1994 by Texas-based restorer and collector, Don Auerbach. Mr. Auerbach subsequently performed a complete restoration, refinishing the Hudson in a beautiful blue livery with blue upholstery and a fully refurbished wood bed floor. These rare trucks are popular with customizers, but thankfully this one has stayed refreshingly authentic overall, with cream-colored steel wheels, wide whitewall bias ply tires, and period-correct detailing. Clearly a fan of this truck, Mr. Auerbach kept it in his care until June of 2023 when it was acquired by an enthusiastic collector of Hudson, Kaiser, and Nash automobiles.
As offered, restoration remains very well-preserved with an inviting character that encourages the next owner to enjoy this unique truck as intended. This wonderful and capable Hudson is the ideal machine to use at the vineyard, farm, or for relaxed runs to your local hardware store, with your faithful companion (human, canine, otherwise) by your side.
Single Downdraft Carter Carburetor
103bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Solid Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*A rare and supremely stylish car-forward pickup
*Robust Hudson six-cylinder power
*Comprehensive older restoration
*Conceived by America's first female car designer, Betty Thatcher
THE HUDSON PICKUP
Like its competitors, Hudson rushed back to the market at the end of World War II, with lightly refreshed versions of its pre-war models to save on tooling. In the case of Hudson, this was not necessarily a bad thing, however, as the marque had a well-deserved reputation for quality and value. Hudson's two-model lineup consisted of the Super Six and Commodore Eight, with a wealth of body styles for each. On the utility side, Hudson returned with its innovative "Hudson Cab Pickup" blending truck-like utility with passenger car levels of comfort and convenience in a distinctly stylish package. Originally conceived in the pre-war period as the Terraplane Big Boy by the young designer Betty Thatcher (the American motor industry's first female designer), it was an idea well ahead of its time, predating the Ford Ranchero and Chevrolet El Camino by more than a decade. A few detail changes were made in 1946 and 1947, but the fundamental design was still Thatcher's. These comfortable, robust and refined trucks should have been a hit for Hudson, but sales were limited, with just 1,900 Super Sixes sold in 1946. The slow sales coupled with the introduction of the new "Step-Down" Hudsons of 1948 spelled the end for this uniquely stylish car-pickup mashup.
THE CAR OFFERED
Resplendent in its vivid blue livery with cream wheels and gleaming chrome trim, this '46 Hudson Super Six Pickup is one of just a handful of known survivors. According to the consignor, this truck was acquired out of Colorado in 1994 by Texas-based restorer and collector, Don Auerbach. Mr. Auerbach subsequently performed a complete restoration, refinishing the Hudson in a beautiful blue livery with blue upholstery and a fully refurbished wood bed floor. These rare trucks are popular with customizers, but thankfully this one has stayed refreshingly authentic overall, with cream-colored steel wheels, wide whitewall bias ply tires, and period-correct detailing. Clearly a fan of this truck, Mr. Auerbach kept it in his care until June of 2023 when it was acquired by an enthusiastic collector of Hudson, Kaiser, and Nash automobiles.
As offered, restoration remains very well-preserved with an inviting character that encourages the next owner to enjoy this unique truck as intended. This wonderful and capable Hudson is the ideal machine to use at the vineyard, farm, or for relaxed runs to your local hardware store, with your faithful companion (human, canine, otherwise) by your side.
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