Hudson Italia by Touring 1955, Estados Unidos
Fotografia
Always one for creative thinking, Hudson designer Frank Spring
thought he had just the right idea to improve sales of the small Jet. Spring
worked with Italian coachbuilder Touring to design the Super Jet, a prototype
that looked like nothing else on American roads in 1953, with its wraparound
windshield, doors cut into the roof, deep air scoops in the front fenders, and
a futuristic interior with ergonomic front bucket seats, not to mention
jet-fighter-like exhausts. The Super Jet was enough of a sensation that it was
put into limited production the following season with very few styling changes
and dubbed the Italia.
Unfortunately, the Italia had the bad luck of being rolled out
just as Hudson merged with Nash to form American Motors in 1954. The new
management ceased the project after just 25 production cars had been built,
putting an end to the brief life of the sexiest, most unusual Hudson ever
produced.
The Italia offered here was the tenth example built and was
originally delivered to James M. Fisher of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, who
maintained it for 44 years. It was sold by his family in 1998 to collector
Charles Regnerus, then passed in 2015 to respected Italia collector and expert
Ed Souers. While owned by Mr. Souers, the Italia was meticulously restored to
original condition. Today it continues to present in near-concours condition
throughout, with virtually no visible wear or age. The paint is smooth and
beautiful, the chrome sparkles, and the interior is tight and fresh, right down
to the lining of the trunk. There is virtually no visible sign of use to the
engine compartment or undercarriage.
This may be one of the finest Italias available in the world—a
fascinating survivor with absolutely unique styling for its era. It represents
the last gasp of Hudson as an independent automaker, one known for bright new
ideas, not least of which Frank Spring’s coachbuilt Italian dream machine.
