 1953 Italia |
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1954 Hudson Italia news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring |
Hudson created the Italia, a car built on the 1954 Hudson Jet chassis, with a hand formed aluminum body built by Carrozzeria Touring in Italy. Only 26 cars were produced. All cars were Italian Cream in color with red and cream interiors. They were equipped with Borrani wheels. The cost to the dealer for the Italia was $4,800.
The car displayed here is number 22, and was originally purchased in California by an individual who worked as a scientist for NASA and the space program.
This car has undergone a complete restoration between the years 2000 and 2003. Over 20 items had to be custom made to the original specifications by borrowing and copying pieces from other Italia owners.
 |  |  | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring |
 |  |  | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring |
Amazingly, of the 26 that were built, 21 have been found to date. It is interesting to note that all but one of the missing 5 are in serial numbers 5 through 10. The two in this group that have surfaced are both in Europe, leading speculation that these 6 cars were never delivered to America. It could have had something to do with Hudson's bankruptcy. All cars were Italian cream in color with red and cream interior. They were equipped with Borrani wheels.
The cost to the dealer for the Italia was $4,800. The Italia was truly one of the most uniquely designed American sports cars produced during the 1950s, which is no doubt why so many survived.
This vehicle has undergone a complete professional restoration between the years 2000 and 2003 by the current owners. Over 20 items had to be remade to the original specifications by borrowing and copying pieces from other Italia owners.
 |  |  | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring Chassis Num: IT10011 |
| High bid of $250,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. (did not sell) Sold for $275,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. Sold for $265,000 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
Spring worked closely with Touring staff in the creation of the Hudson Italia. A Hudson Jet was sent to Milan, and an aluminum coupe body hand-formed on its chassis over a tubular superstructure. It had a one-piece wrap-around windshield with vertical A-pillars, functional scoops over the headlamps and ornamental exposed 'organ pipes' that resembled exhaust stacks. The Italia had seating for two with a large area behind the bucket seats reserved for luggage. Mounted under the bonnet was a dual carburetor 'Twin-H power' version of the Jet's 202 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine. There was a three-speed overdrive transmission and Borrani wire wheels.
In the summer of 1953, the prototype was completed. Spring went to Europe to supervise its completion. Upon completion, Hudson dealers were invited to place orders for the car with the suggested sale price at $4,800.
Dealer response was low, so Hudson ordered 25 production models. The cars followed closely to the design of the prototype, though there were subtle differences. The production cars had an ordinary Hudson instrument cluster, leather-and-vinyl upholstery in place of all leather, and elimination of overdrive.
The struggling Hudson Motor Car Company was combined with rival Nash-Kelvinator to form American Motors Corporation on May 1st of 1954. Though the merger was of equals, the union was dominated by Nash, the stronger partner. Hudson became a re-trimmed Nashs with Hudson and even Packard engines.
This Italia was once part of the legendary Harrah collection. It has been repainted in the current silver color and upholstered in red and black leather.
In 2008, the car was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' where it was estimated to sell for $275,000 - 325,000. As the auction came to a close, the car had been unsold.
The car was then given a comprehensive cosmetic restoration, including a fresh exterior finish in the original and correct cream-yellow color. It was also given a new and correct red and tan interior.
In 2009, this Italia Coupe with coachwork by Touring of Mila was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. It was expected to sell for $275,000 - $350,000. It sold for a high bid of $275,000, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
 |  |  | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring |
This example is a three owner vehicle which is all original except for a repaint in its original color which was done in 1962. The original Hudson Jet mechanicals make the driving experience as enjoyable as ever.
 |  |  | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring Chassis Num: IT 10025 |
 | GT Sport Coupe Coachwork: Touring Designer: Frank Spring Chassis Num: 3 |
Unfortunately, the car model was announced on the same day that Hudson's merger with Nash was approved. As a result, only 26 were ever built. Fortunately, 21 are still known to exist today.
This example has been fully restored and is a Pebble Beach Concours award winner.
Produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, the Hudson Italia was a compact car with limited production capacity. It was designed by Frank Spring and in cooperation with Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, during the 1954 and 1955 model years.
Toying around with the design for an Experimental Sports Car, Frank worked closely with Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, the chief designer of Touring Body Works of Milan, Italy.
The all-aluminum prototype was displayed to dealerships across the country in 1953 and met with enthusiasm at first.
Though it came with its own unique body and interior, the Italia was still based on the Hudson Jet. Passed off as the 'Super Jet' at first, and featuring more updated features and advancements the Italia came with a aluminum body, wrap around windshield and vinyl bucket seats.
Powered by Hudson's 202 in³ L-head Six, produced 114 hp, and came with a 3-speed manual column-shift transmission.
Lower than the Jet by 10 inches, the low-slung Italia came with a price tag of $4,350.
Stylish and sleek, the Italia featured 'V' shaped scoops over the headlights on the front fenders. The front bumper also sported a large inverted 'V' overlapping the grille work and angling upwards over the front. The rear quarter panels featured scalloped cut-outs and the rear quarter scoops cooled the rear brakes.
Unfortunately, the Italia lasted through production with only a mere 26 vehicles. Hudson Motor Company suffered financial difficulties and went bankrupt in 1954. Of the 26 models that were built, 21 have resurfaced to date.
.The Italia was truly one of the most uniquely designed American sports cars produced during the '50s, which is no doubt why so many survived.By Jessica Donaldson
Toying around with the design for an Experimental Sports Car, Frank worked closely with Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, the chief designer of Touring Body Works of Milan, Italy.
The all-aluminum prototype was displayed to dealerships across the country in 1953 and met with enthusiasm at first.
Though it came with its own unique body and interior, the Italia was still based on the Hudson Jet. Passed off as the 'Super Jet' at first, and featuring more updated features and advancements the Italia came with a aluminum body, wrap around windshield and vinyl bucket seats.
Powered by Hudson's 202 in³ L-head Six, produced 114 hp, and came with a 3-speed manual column-shift transmission.
Lower than the Jet by 10 inches, the low-slung Italia came with a price tag of $4,350.
Stylish and sleek, the Italia featured 'V' shaped scoops over the headlights on the front fenders. The front bumper also sported a large inverted 'V' overlapping the grille work and angling upwards over the front. The rear quarter panels featured scalloped cut-outs and the rear quarter scoops cooled the rear brakes.
Unfortunately, the Italia lasted through production with only a mere 26 vehicles. Hudson Motor Company suffered financial difficulties and went bankrupt in 1954. Of the 26 models that were built, 21 have resurfaced to date.
.The Italia was truly one of the most uniquely designed American sports cars produced during the '50s, which is no doubt why so many survived.By Jessica Donaldson
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 1954
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| 1953 Italia |
