Хадсон Италия: Американский спорткар с итальянским дизайном

Two seat sports car produced and marketed by Hudson and American Motors

During the early 1950s, Hudson began several product development programs that included the Hornet, a six cylinder engine, the Jet, and the project that became the Italia. The management at Hudson Motors sought the publicity that Chrysler received from their work with Ghia and the resulting show cars. The Hudson Italia concept was to replicate the notoriety of concept cars such as the Chrysler Ghia Specials (1951–1953). The original idea "was to create a fast, sporty car, based on the hotfooted Hudson Hornet" and also for competition in the Carrera Panamericana. A flagship European inspired experimental sports coupe that might rival Corvette, Nash Healey, Kaiser Darrin, or the Ford Thunderbird, which was then not yet marketed. The objective was to increase Hudson's brand recognition and gauge public reaction to styling ideas. During the development of the Hudson Jet line, chief designer Frank Spring wanted to bring a low slung stylish car to Hudson's model range. Hudson's management "demanded ill advised changes" that made the Jet look "dowdier" than Frank Spring had intended. To compensate, they "gave the unhappy Spring permission to build an 'experimental' sports car based on Jet mechanicals." The work done by Carrozzeria Touring was under the supervision of Spring and Hudson's vice president, Stuart Baits. The Italia was the only project that Carrozzeria Touring undertook for a U. S. automaker. The cost to Hudson for this concept car was reported to be only $28,000. After the prototype was completed in September 1953, Spring and his wife drove it around Italy. The car was shipped to the United States to be displayed at numerous Hudson dealerships across the country by late 1953, and it received positive customer reactions. This car first appeared under the "Super Jet" name and featured numerous advancements, including its aluminum body, wraparound windshield (reminiscent of the 1953 Corvette), doors that cut into the roof (also called aircraft doors) for easier entry and exit. the Italia was lower than the Jet, The prototype also featured Borrani chrome wire wheels and its column mounted three speed transmission included an overdrive unit.

Carrozzeria Touring's construction technique of a thin wall tubing superstructure covered by hand formed aluminum panels was used by several European automakers for their lightweight racing models; however, the Hudson's Jet unit construction required using the regular car's production floorpan and cowl, thus effectively negating any weight savings for the Italia. While styling for the Jet was conservative, the Italia was anything but and unlike any previous Hudson. form fitting bucket seats made from foam rubber of three different densities for maximum comfort A non reflecting dash was finished in red, but attached only to the seats themselves. was also incorporated.

A single four door sedan prototype (dubbed X 161 for Spring's 161st experimental prototype) powered with the Hornet engine was also constructed. This was a much larger car based not on the compact Jet, but on the full sized Hornet. It delivered good performance and employed many of the features of the Italia, though its ornamentation was somewhat more subdued. It was also built in Italy by Carrozzeria Touring as a working prototype for Hudson's replacement of its step down models. The X 161 is also described to be the last "real" Hudson.

The Hudson Italia gained international recognition, but only 25 of these stylish models were produced, in addition to the single prototype. The automobile was Hudson's "last gasp for an image building smash hit." In retrospect, the Italia was one of the "disasters" for the automaker, but represented "typical product development in the automobile industry" at the time. Automobile collector, Gordon Apker, described the Italia's looks: "It's the 50s; it's Flash Gordon, it's Italian drama on an American platform." A Hudson Italia with chassis number 11 was formerly part of the Harrah Collection, which was acquired in 1971, reportedly from Liberace, finished in silver with red and black leather upholstery. The market value of the Hudson Italia is increasing as evidenced by a "no reserve" sale of car number 21 for $396,000 at the 2013 Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale. This car was of such quality that Sports Car Market magazine's analysis was that "the buyer went home with a screaming deal." Other cars on the market in 2009 and 2012 have also resulted in sales above $250,000. A Hudson Italia with serial number 003 that underwent a ground up concours level restoration that took from September 2009 to December 2010, was a class award winner at Pebble Beach in 2011, was priced at $500,000 in 2013. A Hudson Italia that was recognized as the "Best Preserved Post War Car" at the 2014 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este was priced at €575,000. An opinion in 2014 described that the Italia's unique style and limited production have made the unique car "a valuable asset at any car show" and that it "will likely soon be an "A" list collector car." Hudson used the first production, Italia (serial IT 10001), as a show car across the United States and Canada. The restored car features the correct cream with a red and white interior.