A luxurious 1953 Chrysler Special by Ghia coupe has been listed at the RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey. The car is expected to fetch between $750,000 and $1 million.
The model is one of the rarest post-war Chrysler cars. The Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia produced only 16 such vehicles between 1951 and 1953.
The concept of the Chrysler Special by Ghia was based on the Chrysler K-310 show car. The model’s design was developed by Luigi Segre, who actively collaborated with the American manufacturer during that period.
Chrysler Special by Ghia received a 5.4-liter V8 Hemi
The coupe was built on the platform of production Chrysler models but received a completely custom hand-built body. Under the hood is a 5.4-liter gasoline V8 Hemi FirePower, which was considered one of the most powerful American engines in the 1950s.
The engine is paired with a Fluid-Torque Drive automatic transmission. The maximum power of the unit reached about 180 hp, which was a high figure for its time.
The car features a long hood, a panoramic windshield, and an abundance of chrome elements. Some of the design solutions were later used in production Chrysler models of the mid-1950s.
The Chrysler Special by Ghia coupe is considered a collector’s rarity
The exhibited example has German registration and retains its original chassis number 7227922. According to the auction house, the car has undergone restoration and is in good condition.
In the 1950s, Chrysler actively collaborated with Ghia to create exclusive concepts and limited series. These very cars became the foundation for the brand’s subsequent design experiments.
Today, the Chrysler Special by Ghia is among the most collectible American cars of the post-war era. Due to its limited production run and hand assembly, such cars rarely appear on the open market.