I remember when I was a kid, spending hours (when I should have been wet sanding primer or masking off a car) while working in my Dad’s body shop looking at the Chilton’s and other repair books, memorizing the front and rear configurations of each car – mostly the late 50’s and all of the 60’s. In the early 70’s there were still plenty of the old ones around – especially in the depressed economies of up-state New York. If they weren’t driving around you still saw them in the garages or on blocks in the backyards for sure, and often at the local stock car track. It was always fun to be able to pick them out and know the model and year.
Still I run across one or two models that I never knew existed. Even today with all the reading and all the online data, I don’t think I ever ran across a Hudson pickup truck. Sure I’ve seen (and love) the Hornets and the Wasps, but a pickup?
Sure enough after reading the Aug ’12 issue of Hemming Classic Car there is a mention in an article (about a guy who ‘hoards” Hudson ) of a 1946 Hudson Carrier pickup (don’t know way the didn’t bother to show the a picture – seems it ought to be rare enough).
So here are a couple of pics and some specs. I have never actually seen one in person.
1946 Hudson Carrier Pickup
They came configure like this:
212 CC L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Carter 2-Barrel Carburetor
102 BHP at 4,000 RPM
3-Speed Manual Gearbox with Column Shifter
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Front Independent Suspension with Coil Springs
Semi-Floating Rear Axle
They have great lines, for a pickup!
I’d love to see one in person and take it for a quick spin.
Dec 16, 2011 the last produced Ford Ranger. This isn’t just the end of the Ford Ranger, its the end of the Cologne V6 and the closing of a plant that has been producing car since 1925 – over 25 million. The last Ranger was a fleet car going to Orkin Pest Control – yawn – couldn’t have been a Raptor or and F150 Harley Davison version.
2012 V6 Ford Ranger - The last one.
The plant produced armored cars during WW II and 50’s Fords, early Crown Vics and Galazies. It also produced one of my favorite cars the Ford Sunliner.
