07/15/2026
1915 Hudson Model Six-40 Roadster Pickup conversion
The 1915 Hudson Model Six-40 Roadster represented Detroit-based Hudson Motor Car Company's commitment to delivering advanced technology at accessible prices. Originally designed as a sporty roadster, this model featured a substantial 288.5-cubic-inch inline-six engine generating 42 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Notable improvements for 1915 included a honeycomb radiator and an electric horn controlled by a steering wheel button.
Some owners creatively converted their Six-40 Roadsters into pickup trucks by removing the rear decklid and adding a wooden cargo box. This modification presaged Hudson's later innovation, the 1937 Utility Coupe, which featured a built-in folding cargo box. The Model Six-40's engineering and construction quality exemplified Hudson's philosophy of combining performance with value, establishing the company's reputation in American automotive manufacturing.
