Hudson Italia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hudson Italia was a styling study and limited production compact automobile produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan in cooperation with Carrozzeria Touring of Italy during the 1954 and 1955 model years. Designed by Frank Spring, the Italia was based on the Hudson Jet platform and running gear but had its own unique body and interior.
[edit] Development
During development of the ill-fated Hudson Jet line, chief designer Frank Spring had hoped to bring a low-slung stylish car to Hudson's model range. The car first appeared under the "Super Jet" name and featured numerous advancements including its aluminum body, wrap around windshield, doors that cut 14 inches (356 mm) into the roof (aka, aircraft doors) for easier entry & exit and form-fitting leather & vinyl bucket seats.
While styling for the Jet was conservative, the Italia was anything but. For one, the Italia sat 10 inches (254 mm) lower than a Jet. Over the headlights, the front fenders featured "V" shaped scoops that ducted cooling air to the front brakes. The front bumper sported a large inverted "V" in the center that angled up and overlapped the grille work. Rear quarter scoops cooled the rear brakes. Out back, tail, directional and back-up lamps tipped the ends of three stacked chrome tubes per side, emerging from scalloped cut-outs in the rear quarter panels.
The car's $4,350 price tag, combined with Hudson's dashed prospects as a stand-alone independent marque (Hudson & Nash merged in May of 1954) spelled the end for the Italia after a mere twenty-five vehicles. A single 4-door sedan prototype (dubbed 'X-161') was also constructed to study production possibilities.
The car was powered by Hudson's 202 in³ L-head Six that produced 114 horsepower (85 kW) and all were equipped with a 3-speed manual column-shift transmission. One source reports 21 of the 26 built as surviving today.
[edit] External links
[edit] Sources
- Gunnell, John, Editor (1976). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
- {{cite book | author = Conde, John A.| title = The American Motors Family Album | publisher = American Motors Corporation | year = 1987 | id = ISBN 1111573891
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