Hudson Italia

Vehicle Overview

The Hudson Italia represents a significant collaboration in automotive history between Hudson Motor Car Company and Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, Italy during the 1950s. Created in response to the competitive landscape of compact cars dominated by Nash’s Rambler, the Italia emerged from a bold partnership between Hudson Motor Car Company and Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, Italy. In 1952, Hudson faced financial challenges and internal restructuring, prompting Chief Designer Frank Spring to explore new design concepts following the lukewarm reception of the Hudson Jet. Teaming up with Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, Touring’s visionary chief designer, Spring embarked on the creation of an Experimental Sports Car. Utilizing the Hudson Jet chassis as a starting point, they developed an experimental prototype with an aluminum body, featuring avant-garde styling elements that captivated the public. Buoyed by the positive response, Hudson commissioned a larger version on a Hornet chassis, aiming to refine the design further. However, the four-door configuration proved less successful, prompting a shift back to a smaller, more refined iteration. Touring was subsequently tasked with producing a limited run of what became known as the “Super Jet,” later rebranded as the Hudson Italia. Originally planning around 50 units, only 26 were completed before Hudson’s financial difficulties led to bankruptcy and a subsequent merger with Nash Motors in 1954. Despite Hudson’s challenges, the Hudson Italia garnered acclaim for its distinctive design and performance. Many of the surviving examples found homes among collectors, particularly in Southern California, where its rarity and unique styling made it a coveted piece. Today, the Hudson Italia remains a cherished relic of mid-20th-century automotive innovation—an embodiment of the creative synergy between American engineering and Italian craftsmanship. Its legacy continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts, preserving the memory of an era defined by daring experimentation and cross-cultural collaboration in the pursuit of automotive excellence.