Hudson Italia, 1954 Italia | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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Designer: Touring

Hudson Motor Car Company began the manufacture of automobiles in Detroit in 1909, and merged with Nash in 1954 to form American Motors Corporation. The Hudson nameplate was continued for three more years, ending in 1957. Prior to the merger, Hudson, like many other car companies, set out to build a sports car to bring attention to the brand and to bring customers into the showroom.

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.

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.

Jessica Vaughan

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Designer: Touring

The arresting Italia was Hudson's way of reminding the auto industry that it wasn't dead yet. Although it was built on the chassis of the compact jet, it was strikingly clothed in an aluminum body by Italy's carrozzeria Touring. Only 26 examples were made. Styled by Frank Spring and influenced by aircraft design, the Italia had a wraparound windshield, doors that cut into the roof for easier entry, and a pioneering flow-through ventilation system that made vent windows unnecessary. Front fender scoops that cooled the brakes, fake triple exhausts that held the taillights and turn signals, and an inverted-V 'praying mantis' front bumper contributed to its distinctive appearance. Announced as a produced model on the same day Hudson approved a merged with Nash, the Italia was to be Hudson's answer to the Corvette and the Thunderbird. This example is the only completely original car left. Even the tires are original equipment, and the car is totally unrestored.

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1954 Hudson Italia
Year	1954
Make	Hudson
Model	Italia
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Body Designer	Touring
Price	$4,800.00
Combined MPG	0.00

Performance
Top Speed	153 km/h \| 95.1 mph Similar top speeds

Engine
Engine Configuration	I
	L-Head
Cylinders	6
	Solid valve lifters
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	195.60 CU IN. \| 3205.9 cc. \| 3.2 L.
Horsepower	120.00 HP (88.3 KW) @ 4200.00 RPM
HP / Liter	37.5 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	7.5:1
Main Bearings	4
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol
Fuel Feed	Carburetor
	Carter YF 1-barrel carburetor
Block	Cast-iron

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1954 Hudson Italia