ClassicCar

46HudsonPU

In this case, I think 'still for sale' applies, all too well...

I recall seeing this one before, at least a year ago - at auction on eBay (if I recall, it didn't sell there either).

First couple of photos don't look too bad, in fact are pretty good. I can get past the engine(V8, nothing special), and the steering wheel & dash don't look bad. However, the seats don't exactly fit the look that I think the builder/owner was 'going for' - if his intent was some type of retro-mod (?). And, it just keeps getting worse, the further to the back of the truck that you look - Not sure what that is in the rear, but I wouldn't call it a 'tailgate'...

IMHO, he REALLY 'blew' (sunk, destroyed, killed) the whole thing with the rear of the truck... It needs to take it back to the body shop, put that foot of bed back on the truck, and have something resembling a conventional tailgate installed on it - as well as some seats that better 'fit' that truck. MAYBE then he can sell it - however, IMHO, it still will not be anywhere close to the price he's asking!

goodguysclassifieds.com/classified/1150/1937_Hudson_Terraplane_Big_Boy.html

hudsontech

Not a "Big Boy" either. To the best of my research the term "Big Boy" first applied to 1939 Model 98 commercial bodies - tho the 1927-1950 Numerical Parts Interchangeability Record lists 1936-1937 commercials as "Business Cars." According to that )1927-1950) listing "Big Boy" was applied only to 1940-1942 commercial (Models 48, 18 and 28). Same applies to 1940-1942 Group Parts book.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

46HudsonPU

Alex - According to the Butler book (p216-217), 'Big Boy' was used in 1937 to describe the 78 Series commercial vehicles. Oddly enough, both the 70 and 78 series were rated at 3/4 ton, with the only real difference being the wheelbase (117" for the 70 Series, and 124" for the 78 Series).
These specifications carried over to 1938 (p230), with both the 80 & 88 series being rated at 3/4 ton, and the only difference noted being the wheelbase (again, 117" for the 80 series, and 124" for the 88 Series). Apparently, the Hudson 112 entered the field this year as well, with offerings rated at 1/2 ton, and offered in the same configurations as the 80 and 88 Series (Pickup, with and without bed/box, and chassis only).
Would this mean that there were actually three (3) different pickup models in 1938 - The Hudson Terraplane 112 (112" WB, 1/2 ton); the 80 Series (117" WB, 3/4 ton); and the 88 Series 'Big Boy' (124" WB, 3/4 ton) ?

So - I guess the only way to tell whether or not the above truck is (or was) a 'Big Boy' would be by the serial number...

hudsontech

About all I can say is my research came pretty much from parts books. Most of these parts books, from 1935 (to be uploaded soon) thru 1947 are in the online library. The 1930-1939 Master Chassis lists a Big Boy in 1939, none earlier. I've pointed out the 1940-1942 Group Parts book assigns Big Boy to the long wheelbase commercials.
Butlers book is known to contain more than a few errors that have been found over the years - and I'm not at all surprised. I have found, as I've pointed out, that even Hudson sources do not agree in a lot of things. They had a tendency to publish parts books containing listings for vehicles that were never produced - that can be explained by the lead time required to get the parts books, and other manuals, into dealers and mechanics hands. The books were put out, like January, the vehicles came out in May and some models proposed never made it out the door. The above dates are for illustration only.
So there you have it. You picks your source and you go from there into debate. LOL

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN
http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm

46HudsonPU

Agreed Alex - I'm still more than a bit confused about there being three different pickup models in 1938...
I have access to a few tech manuals, however none of them were specifically written for pickups/commercial vehicles, and as you indicate - they were written as the new models were on the drawing boards. The descriptions, nicknames, etc., were more for sales and publicity - i.e., 'selling it'.

Kdancy

I have some questions concerning the 37 PU's. I obtained some blueprints for the PU bed-box and found that the prints were for a long wb (bigboy) model as the bed was built the same both ways except for the rear fender position, with the long wb further back. When I looked up the frame dimensions, I couldn't figure out where the extra length was added to the frames. ??

53jetman

I think most of the additional length was added to the front ahead of the windshield as the big boys were based on the longer Hudson chassis. In most cases, the "Big Boys" or long wheelbase trucks also had a longer box.

Jerry

46HudsonPU

@Kdancy - According to the 1934-1939 Mechanical Procedure Manual (Section 17, Page 10), the frame is 7" longer between the rear of the front leaf-spring mounting point and the front of the rear leaf-spring mounting point (i.e., the middle of the frame) on the 78 Series, vice the 70 Series - Area 'I' (india) on the chart & in the diagram.

As far as the bodies and body parts - From what I've read and understand concerning the 70 & 78 Series, the hood, fenders, door, and even the cab were interchangeable between the two series. The same goes for the 80 & 88, and the 90 & 98, etc., Series of Hudson commercial vehicles - there was no difference in the bodies of the trucks (fenders, hood doors, cab, etc.), from the cab forward. The only difference was in the length of the bed.

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