Hudson
Today, Hudson’s memory has mostly faded, save some NASCAR victories and Doc from the Pixar movie Cars. What most people don’t realize is thatthe American automaker produced trucks as well. Collectors are aware of this fact, which is why the value of these rare beasts is skyrocketing rapidly.
The Hudson pickup truck was only made for the 1946 and 1947 model years, so getting your hands on one will be quite the feat. The pickups are car-based, which was true for many back in the day. The aesthetics are distinctly Hudson, with more styling and panache than you’ll get in other trucks made before the late 1950s. That fact alone has made the Hudson pickup a favorite for some people.
Studebaker M-Series
Another long-forgotten American automaker, Studebaker also had a unique way of designing vehicles. The M-Series truck wasn’t an exception. It featured a near-deco design that was simple yet distinct, giving it a standout appearance back when most vehicles looked almost the same.
Studebaker launched the M-Series in the latter part of the 1930s. It featured an inline six-cylinder engine that had a reputation for being very reliable. The pickups rolled off factory lines into the late 1940s, with the last few model years featuring the most equipment, making them highly collectible today.
Chevrolet Cameo Carrier
If you’re a fan of sport trucks, you should know about the Cameo Carrier. When it launched in 1955, this Chevy pickup packed the same 283-cubic-inch V-8 as the Corvette and Bel Air, so it could really move. Like the ‘Vette, it had fiberglass fenders that were shapelier than what you could find on other trucks from back then.
This pickup was made for gentlemen, complete with carpeting, a radio, and a two-tone cab. Those don’t sound like big deals today, but keep in mind that at the time trucks were extremely basic. Shoppers didn’t view the Cameo Carrier as practical enough, plus it sold for almost $2,000, so sales suffered. The truck was discontinued after 1957. That means few Cameo Carriers are out there today, so if you can grab one, you have a rare, classic truck on your hands. Despite being a sales flop, this truck marked several firsts, making it a true classic in our books.
