Development
During development of the Hudson Jet line, chief designer Frank Spring wanted to bring a low-slung stylish car to Hudson's model range. Lacking sufficient capital to develop a new model, Hudson reached an agreement for a prototype to be built in Milan by Carrozzeria Touring. A complete Hudson Jet was shipped to Italy. A new aluminum body design, based on sketches by Frank Spring, was formed over tubular framing. Modifications by Touring were under the supervision of Spring and Hudson's vice-president, Stuart Baits. The price paid by Hudson for this concept car was reported to be only $28,000. The car was on display at Hudson dealerships across the country by late 1953, and received positive customer reaction. It was on exhibited at automobile shows in the U.S. and some in Europe, as well as at the International Sports Car Show held in January 1954.
.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 14 inches (356 mm) into the roof (also called aircraft doors) for easier entry and exit. In part because of Hudson's "step-down" floorpan, which dated to 1948, the Italia was 9 in (229 mm) lower than the Jet, but shared its 105 in (2,667 mm) wheelbase. The prototype also featured Borrani chrome wire wheels and its column mounted three-speed transmission included an overdrive unit.
The Hudson Italia was similar to the concept developed by Ford for its original Mustang, as it was "a small, sporty, eye-catching coupe that fairly bristled with styling innovations. The Italia was about the same size as the Mustang, and like Ford's "pony car" it borrowed its mechanical components from the company's existing compact sedan. But it pre-dated the Mustang by a full 10 years."
The concept was an effort by Hudson to capitalize on the notoriety of show cars, as the Chrysler Ghia had done.
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