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The Hudson Italia is an automobile styling study and a limited production two-door compact coupé that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, in cooperation with Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, and subsequently marketed by American Motors Corporation during the 1954 and 1955 model years. Designed by Frank Spring, and introduced 14 January 1954, the Italia was based on the Hudson Jet platform and running gear, but with a unique body and interior. ==Development== 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 or the then-new Thunderbird. The objective was to increase the Hudson's brand recognition and gauge public reaction styling ideas. During 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."〔 Spring was contemplating seeking employment at other design studios.〔 He wanted to design a sports coupe that might rival the first six-cylinder Chevrolet Corvette or the then-new Ford Thunderbird, but with European inspired flair and grand touring luxury.〔 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 body design, based on sketches by Frank Spring, was formed over a steel tubular frame.〔 This unibody system of aluminum panels was known as superleggera (equivalent to “very lightweight” in Italian), and "was expensive and fairly revolutionary in its day." The work done by Carrozzeria Touring was under the supervision of Spring and Hudson's vice-president, Stuart Baits.〔Flory, p. 1025.〕 The Italia (coupes and one four-door prototype〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=1954 Hudson Italia Prototype )〕) was the only project that Carrozzeria Touring undertook for a U.S. automaker. The price paid by Hudson for this concept car was reported to be only $28,000.〔 It was a curious mix of Italian flair with American flash. After the prototype was completed in September 1953, Spring and his wife drove it around Italy. The car was shipped to the U.S. to be displayed at numerous Hudson dealerships across the country by late 1953, and it 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),〔Flory, pp. 482 & 1025.〕 doors that cut 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,〔Flory, pp.126 & 1025.〕 the Italia was lower than the Jet,〔 but shared its wheelbase.〔Flory, pp. 579 & 581.〕 The prototype also featured Borrani chrome wire wheels and its column mounted three-speed transmission included an overdrive unit. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hudson Italia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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