The Hudson Project: A Diesel Powered 1947 Hudson Pickup, Driven by a Quadriplegic

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

How many of you know anything about the Hudson Motorcar Company? Show of hands….. Well, at one time it was the most popular of the “independent” car makers in America. They “stepped out” of the shadows of the others when they introduced the “Step Down” Hudson models in 1948. Before this time, they did produce a conventionally styled car, with a companion pickup truck which was discontinued in 1947. After that little history lesson, I want to introduce you to one of those Hudson Pickups, only radically altered in many ways. Introducing The Hudson Project, at this years SEMA. Read more after the jump!

The Michael-Ryan Pattison Foundation sponsored the development of a quadriplegic and paraplegic accessible 1947 Hudson Race Truck, and has been featured in various auto magazines, and displayed at several auto shows throughout the US. Driven by Michael-Ryan Pattison, this is the first ever race vehicle actually controlled and driven by a quadriplegic who has no mobility below the collar bone. Pattison has used a newly designed mouthpiece to control the truck!

Powered by a 7.3 liter Powerstroke diesel, it is said to produce around 800 horse power on bio diesel. It will be entering a number of events to test the potential of this truck, as well as the technology that makes it possible for Pattison to drive it. The race truck is the inventive effort of Randy Simmons, President of Robotic Integrated Technology LLC. Simmons, who has created other devices to help disabled persons, has also designed and built world record-holding and award winning race cars.

It’s a fascinating story, and one that should be followed closely in the coming months. I will try and do a couple of follow-up postings in the near future. In the meantime, read about the Michael-Ryan Pattison foundation, and see if this isn’t inspiration for us all.