Chrysler Ghia ST Special, 1955
Chrysler New Yorker IV
Chrysler New Yorker IV•
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Chassis No.: N558768
Auction: Kissimmee 2020
Auction date: January 12, 2020
Lot No.: F179
$375,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Copper/Ivory
- Interior: Copper/ivory
- The last design in the collaboration between legendary stylist Virgil Exner and Ghia chief Luigi Segre that lasted from 1951-1955
- 1 of only 4 produced, two each for French and Italian customers
- Designed by French Chrysler importer Charles Ladouch
- Exhibited at the 1955 Turin Motor show
- Subsequently acquired by Oscar Lacroix, CEO of French plastics company Gilac
- Nut and bolt restoration completed by Wayne Davis in 2014
- Factory-commissioned Ghia coachwork fitted to a Chrysler New Yorker chassis
- 331/250 HP Hemi V-8 engine
- 4-barrel carburetor
- 2-speed Powerflite automatic transmission
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Finished in original two-tone Copper and Ivory
- Matching Havana leather upholstery
- Ivory dash
- Period correct wire wheels
Coupling the names of stylist Virgil Exner with the Italian firm of Ghia brings back the excitement of the 1950s show car designs, but this 1955 Chrysler Ghia ST Special represents an even more epochal moment. Chassis No. N558768 is one of only four produced from the final collaboration between the legendary Chrysler stylist and Ghia chief Luigi Segre. A movement that lasted from 1951-55, Exner authorized Ghia craftsman to prototype his bold ideas, many of which finally arrived in the Forward Look effort later that decade.
The ST Specials were elegantly created by Ghia on the Chrysler New Yorker chassis under direction by French Chrysler importer Charles Ladouch, and all four vehicles were eventually sold in Europe, two each for well-heeled French and Italian customers. This car—exhibited at the 1955 Turin Motor show—was subsequently acquired by Oscar Lacroix, then CEO of French plastics company Gilac, and would come into the U.S. after several caring subsequent owners. The factory-commissioned Ghia coachwork fitted to Chrysler’s engineered undercarriage still speaks for itself in terms of design, with a 331/250 HP Chrysler Hemi V-8 engine beneath the hood powering the vehicle forward.
Equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor and 2-speed Powerflite automatic transmission, this vehicle was also factory-built with power steering and power brakes for enjoyable operation. Today, it is correctly finished in the original two-tone Copper and Ivory paint scheme, matching Havana leather upholstery, an ivory-tone dash and the period-correct wire wheels. Its exquisite presentation after a number of years in process was the direct result of a stunning nut-and-bolt restoration that was completed by Wayne Davis in 2014.
Noteworthy in the hobby, the 1955 Chrysler Ghia ST Special serves a benchmark that transitions the ending of Exner’s earlier experimental processes and the debut of the legendary Chrysler C300. Beautifully refreshed and a wonderful opportunity for people who appreciate its significance, its ownership will be as exclusive as its history.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/396893/1955-chrysler-ghia-st-special/
