The 1953 Chrysler Ghia Special Coupé by Ghia is one of the most elegant expressions of early postwar transatlantic design collaboration. It combined Chrysler’s engineering with Ghia’s Italian craftsmanship, and is a quintessential example of Virgil Exner’s “Idea Cars”—concept vehicles designed to explore new styling directions. The 1953 Chrysler Special by Ghia was a limited-run coupe, initially conceived as a show car by Virgil Exner and built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia, according to MoparInsiders. Only 18 units were produced, with 6 for Chrysler and 12 for individual customers. It was initially a show car presented at the Paris Salon in 1952 and later built in a small run for Chrysler and other clients.
- Design: The Ghia Special featured a smooth, aerodynamic body with a unique roofline, radiused wheel arches, and minimal brightwork.
- Chassis: It was built on a shortened New Yorker chassis.
- Engine: Powered by the Chrysler FirePower V8 engine.
- Transmission: It came equipped with either a Fluid Torque Drive four-speed semi-automatic or the PowerFlite fully automatic transmission.
- Production: A total of 18 Ghia Specials were built, with 6 commissioned by Chrysler and 12 for clients.
- Originality: These cars were highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity, styling, and performance.
The 1953 Chrysler FirePower V8 engine, a key part of the 1951-1955 generation, was a 331 cubic inch, 180 horsepower engine. It was one of the first American V8 engines, pushing the boundaries of performance at the time. Chrysler initially intended to use the FirePower Hemi in the Indy 500, but racing rules changed, and they pursued a different strategy.
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