1954 Hudson Italia

In the early 1950s, Americas independent automakers found themselves on the sidelines while sales war raged between GM and Ford. Among those fending for leftovers was Hudson Motor Company of Detroit, looking for a new way to steal attention from the big boys. With limited resources, Hudson management chose to develop a new small car to compete with Nashs new Rambler. The new Hudson Jet first appeared in 1953 a compact four-door sedan with innovative unibody construction and a torquey 202 cubic-inch inline-six. Unfortunately, excessive meddling from upper management hampered the project, and Hudsons President, A.E. Barit, insisted on changes that turned what could have been a distinctive small car into a conservative, somewhat dowdy facsimile of a 1952 Ford. Nearly all of Hudsons available resources went toward the project, ultimately causing their undoing and forcing a merger with Nash to create AMC in 1954.

But not everything about the Jet was dire. Hudsons design director, Frank Spring, somehow managed to convince the board that a sporty version of the Jet would attract Americas young, sports car hungry buyers, and perhaps steal some sales from Chevys new Corvette and the emerging imports. In 1953, Frank Spring traveled to Brussels, Belgium to meet Carlo Felice Anderloni of Carrozzeria Touring, Milan. Over dinner, they discussed a sports car utilizing Hudson underpinnings, with lightweight Italian coachwork. They even sketched the concept on a dinner napkin which, incidentally, still exists in Tourings archives! With detailed ironed out and handshakes all around, the Hudson Italia project was underway.

Spring arranged for the shipment of a complete Hudson Jet to Tourings workshop in Milan. After the Italians tested the standard car, they commenced stripping it down and rebuilding it as a two-door coupe with scoops, vents, jet-age faux exhausts, and Borrani wire wheels. Built in the Superleggera style, the car utilized a steel wire skeleton skinned in hand-formed aluminum. The drama didnt stop inside, either. Unique form-fitting seats trimmed in two-tone red and white leather faced a wrinkle-finish dash. The engine gained Hudsons Twin-H Power carbs, boosting output to 115 horsepower with a generous wave of torque. Predictably, the cost of sending Jets to Italy to be completely rebodied quickly spiraled out of control, and with an eye-watering $4,800 list price, the board of the newly formed AMC saw little reason to keep the project alive.

Chassis 10014 is the 14th Hudson Italia of just 26 completed and is a charming example presented in largely un-restored condition. Offered from long-term private ownership, it is an honest example which has never been disassembled and restored, instead having been enjoyed and maintained through the years. The Carrozzeria Touring bodywork (no. 4039) shows good panel fit and the correct Crema paintwork presents well overall, displaying some age-appropriate imperfections. Similarly, the chrome and bright trim are in very good order overall, with moderate patina visible in places. It rides on authentic Borrani wire wheels, finished in silver and fitted with period-correct whitewall bias-ply tires. The overall effect is that of a refreshingly honest car which wears its minor flaws as badges of honor.

The wonderful cockpit features distinctive bucket seats upholstered with white leather seating surfaces, contrasting against red side seat trims, carpets, and panels. The leather displays a fantastic patina and character earned through use and care. Instruments and controls including the steering wheel and switchgear are correct original items, with the addition of a pair of period aftermarket SW auxiliary gauges. The odometer displays 85,000 miles, which is believed to be accurate and reflective of the cars preserved condition.

The engine bay is appropriately tidy for an unrestored original car, housing Hudsons venerable L-head inline-six, displacing 202 cubic inches, and rated at 114 horsepower with factory Twin H-Power carburetors. It feeds a 3-speed manual gearbox with overdrive, and the chassis features hydraulic drum brakes and independent front suspension.

No collection of American sports cars is complete without an Italia, but with just 26 ever produced, opportunities to acquire one are undoubtedly rare. Chassis 014 stands out among its peers as one of the last cars to survive without a total restoration. It has been faithfully enjoyed and maintained by a custodian with a keen sense of preservation, and it remains a charming example to enjoy out on the road, or to compete for preservation class honors in concours events worldwide.

Offers welcome and trades considered.