To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The
Elkhart Collection event, 23 - 24 October 2020.
Estimate:
$350,000 - $450,000
- A fascinating 1950s dream machine
- Only 25 examples built; one of the finest extant
- Formerly owned by noted Hudson collectors Charles Regnerus and
Ed Souers
- Reportedly only four private owners from new
- Immaculate restoration in virtually fresh condition
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.To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20.
