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Archive Rare Hudson Italia joins Ypsilanti Cruise Nights on Thursdays by Mark Phelan -- Detroit Free Press The museum, which celebrates
Ypsilanti's substantial role in Automotive history, has added a stunning
Hudson Italia to its display. The lovely Italia is one of just 25 or 26 ever built. The advance compact coupe's streamline styling was the product of Italian coach builder and design house Touring Body Works. Touring built the Italias on the chassis of a humble Hudson Jet, but the Italia's $4,350 sticker price was more than some Cadillacs cost in 1954. Hudson was in deep trouble before the first Italia arrived from Touring's assembly plant in Milan, Italy. Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator to create American Motors, and the Italia's fate was sealed. You can see the Italia in the museum's during Cruise Nights, when Ypsi's picturesque Depot Town neighborhood becomes a pedestrian zone packed with classic cars. There's also music, and food and drink from Depot Town's restaurants. Cruise Nights begin at 5 p.m. Thursdays, and the museum is open 6-8:30 those evenings. Cruise nights run through Aug. 31. The museum's collection also includes the NASCAR-champion 1952 Hudson Hornet race car that was the inspiration for Doc Hudson, the grizzled veteran voiced by Paul Newman in the Disney film, "Cars." The museum is at 100 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti. More info at: ypsiautoheritage.org.
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