Exotic Legacy - In a world where cars often blur together in a sea of similarity, there's something captivating about a machine that dares to be different. The 1950s were brimming with automotive charm, a golden era where bold ideas and international collaborations gave birth to some of the most distinctive vehicles ever made. Among the glittering lineup of post-war dream machines, the Hudson Italia Coupe stands out—not just for its futuristic style, but for its rare blend of American ambition and Italian craftsmanship.
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1955 Hudson Italia Coupe bodied by Carrozzeria Touring and built based on the Hudson Jet platform. (Picture from: HymanLtd) |
The story of the Hudson Italia begins not as a production vehicle, but as a bold styling experiment. Born from the creative minds at Hudson Motor Car Company in Detroit, this two-door luxury coupe was never meant to be ordinary. It was envisioned as a halo car, a showcase of design and engineering potential. To bring this vision to life, Hudson turned to none other than Carrozzeria Touring, an acclaimed coachbuilder from Milan, Italy, known for shaping some of Europe’s most elegant automobiles.
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1955 Hudson Italia Coupe was designed by Frank Spring, the Hudson’s design chief along with the Carrozzeria Touring's auto designer named Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni. (Picture from: OtoBlitz) |
At the heart of the Italia was the leadership of Frank Spring, Hudson's head of design, who teamed up with Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, the artistic force at Carrozzeria Touring. Together, they sculpted a car that was not just eye-catching, but outright exotic by American standards. Built on the humble Hudson Jet platform, the Italia emerged with curves, creases, and details that made it look like it had rolled off the set of a sci-fi movie rather than a Detroit assembly line.
Unveiled for the first time on January 14, 1954, the Italia was Hudson’s answer to the high-style concept cars being churned out by rivals in collaboration with Italian stylists—think Chrysler’s Ghia specials or Ford’s flirtation with Cisitalia. The plan? Build a sleek, sporty machine that would echo the Hudson Hornet’s performance heritage while turning heads with continental flair. The result was stunning, but it came at a cost.
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1955 Hudson Italia Coupe powered by an S6 202 cubic-inch engine with a capacity of 3,303 cc, which can generate power up to 114 hp (85 kW) at 4,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 214 Nm (158 lb.ft) at 1,400 rpm. (Picture from: OtoBlitz) |
Despite being assembled in Italy, where labor was cheaper at the time, each hand-crafted Hudson Italia came with a steep price tag of $4,800—far more than the $3,995 you’d pay for a Cadillac Coupe de Ville. And while it certainly looked like a million bucks, the market wasn’t quite ready to embrace such a high-priced outlier from a mid-tier American brand.
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1955 Hudson Italia Coupe's engine sourced power chaneled through a three-speed manual gearbox to drive the rear wheels, so could be made it running to a maximum speed of 95 mph (153 kph). (Picture from: OtoBlitz) |
Underneath that gorgeous skin was a 202-cubic inch straight-six engine, capable of producing 114 horsepower and 214 Nm of torque. Mated to a three-speed manual gearbox, the Italia could hit a respectable top speed of 95 mph. It wasn’t blisteringly fast, but it had plenty of character, and its driving experience matched its dramatic looks.
Sadly, timing was not on Hudson’s side. The company was in the midst of a merger with Nash-Kelvinator, forming what would become American Motors Corporation (AMC). With priorities shifting and resources stretched thin, the Italia project was quietly shelved. Only 26 units were ever built, making it one of the rarest post-war coupes ever produced.
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1955 Hudson Italia Coupe bodied by Carrozzeria Touring and ever built as many as 26 unit during its short prodution periods. (Picture from: Pinterest) |
Today, the Hudson Italia is a rolling piece of art, a collector’s gem that continues to dazzle at concours events around the world, from Pebble Beach to Villa d’Este. Its limited production, striking design, and cross-continental origin have made it a highly sought-after classic, with values climbing steadily over the years.

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