1954 Italia  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
1953 Hudson Italia news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
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.
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.
 |  |  | Coupe Coachwork: Touring |
This vehicle is the prototype of the 26 Italias produced and the current owner is only the second owner. It has 29,000 miles, Borrani wire wheels and the original Alfa-Romeo steering wheel. There is a dual carburetor, Twin H-Power, Hudsons popular multiple fueling systems, Super Jet Instant-action 202 cubic-inch side-valve (L-Head) inline-6 with super induction and 114 horsepower.
There is ample headroom for entering or leaving the Hudson Italia compliments of the ingenious door treatment which carries the door 14i into the roof - combined with Hudson's step-down recessed floor design. The interior is upholstered in fine textured red-and-cream Italian leather.
The stern of the Italia is dressed with a triple bank of chrome tubing faired vertically into each rear fender. These 'Flash Gordon' type simulated jet exhaust stacks actually contain the taillights, stop lights, turn signals, and back-up lights. These lights on the prototype are distinguishable difference from the production cars, as is the hand-cut, die-cast aluminum grill.
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
For more information and related vehicles, click hereToying 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
| All-New Jaguar F-Type & 2013 Range Rover Autobiography Named To 25Th Robb Report Annual ‘Best Of The Best' List | |
 | ◾Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S announced as winner of 'Convertible' category ◾Range Rover Autobiography announced as winner of 'Sport Utility Vehicle' category (MAHWAH, N.J.) – June 3, 2013 – Jaguar Land Rover North America announced today that the Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S and 2013 Range Rover Autobiography have been featured among the list of winners in the 'Wheels' section of the 25th annual 'Best of the Best' list by Robb Report magazine. The Jaguar F-TYPE is the winner of the 'Convertible' category, whi...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz at Pebble Beach: An Expression of Fascinating Design and Innovation | |
 | • Historical Tribute to SL: W194 Chassis No. 2, 7 and 11 among 300SL vehicles on display • The Concept Style Coupé opens a new chapter and generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles • AMG 45 year anniversary highlights the pinnacle of performance and style A tribute to Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters is set for Pebble Beach weekend with three 1952 W194 vehicles among a mix of vintage and new vehicles bearing the three-pointed star that express the marque's breadth and depth of fascinating design and ...[Read more...] |
| Six Decades Of Ferrari At Mecum's Daytime Auction | |
 | 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza Headlines Select Offering of Italian Illuminati Mecum Auctions will present its 4th annual Monterey Daytime Auction, Aug. 16-18, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf course, featuring some of finest machines Ferrari has ever produced headlined by a 1954 750 Monza Spyder Scaglietti. By turns part of the Engelbert Stieger, Brando Wang, Walter Burani and Roberto Crippa collections, 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder Scaglietti S/N 0462MD...[Read more...] |
| Auctions America By RM's 2012 Auburn Spring Auction | |
 | 'Variety' is the buzzword for this year's Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company's national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana. 'Last year was our first spring event at the park,' said Auctions America by RM's President ...[Read more...] |
| The world-renowned ‘Old Bill' Comes to Market | |
 | The world-renowned 'Old Bill', which has featured in every book ever written about the incomparable Brough marque, ticks all the above boxes and just about every other one too. It has been consigned by H&H for auction as part of the Roger Allen Collection at the company's Duxford sale on October 4. However, it can be viewed as early as April 28/29 at the International Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford. It carries an estimate of £250,000-270,000. The motorcycle originally known as 'Spit & Pol...[Read more...] |
 1953
Hudson
models |
| Hudson Hornet |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Auburn | Crosley |
| Daimler | Delage |
| Delahaye | DeSoto |
| Duesenberg | Edsel |
| Hispano Suiza | Imperial |
| Isotta | Kaiser |
| LaSalle | Nash |
| Oakland | Packard |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Tucker |
| Voisin | Willys |
| Hudson: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Hudson History |
| Other models by Hudson |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
| Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival |
| Commodore Hornet | Italia Model 20 | Model T Model U | Pacemaker Railton | Rambler Super Six | Terraplane |
| 1954 Italia |
