Custom show cars were popular in the 1950s and 1960s and one of the coolest ever built was the 1957 Ghia Superdart, which still survives today. It’s a beautiful car whose body was designed by Carrozzeria Ghia in Italy and powered by a 400 horsepower Chrysler Hemi. The last time the car changed hands was in 1977 and it looks as good now as it did when new. The whereabouts and price of the car are not specified. Interested parties will need to contact the seller here on DragonEClassic for more details. Our appreciation to Kyle Knorr for uncovered this fantastic treasure for us.
Many show cars of the day were precursors of production models to come. But they were usually wilder looking than would be become reality later. Ghia and Chrysler would combine resources to come up with the Dart series of cars that were seen in 1956 and 1957. They started with a dream car dubbed the “Gilda” which was long, narrow, fast, sleek, aerodynamic, and futuristic and one of its spawns was the Superdart which had 400 horses under the hood. Today, the Superdart is the only remaining Dart series car that stands in its original and unmodified condition. The car was based on a 1957 300C Chrysler chassis and its styling cues definitely look like the “Forward Look” Virgil Exner cars of 1957-59. The Superdart got its tremendous power from a 392 cubic-inch Hemi engine that was modified and has 2X4-barrel carburetors.
Inside the Superdart is a space-age looking interior made of the finest Italian leathers around with four two-tone leather bucket seats. As was the case for Chryslers from that period, the car used a push-button Torque-Flite transmission, which fit right in with the George Jetson looks of the car. The car even has air conditioning with the pop-up vents that came out from the panel behind the back seats. This car simply screams “fly me to the moon!”
After it completed touring in Europe, the Dart was sold to Dual Motor in the U.S., not a common practice for show cars. But apparently Chrysler and Dual had a special business relationship so the transition in ownership was made. The car didn’t stay with Dual for long, having then been purchased by a private individual for a whopping $15,000! The Ghia would be driven regularly, accumulating 38,000 miles over the next 20 years (1958-77). It changed hands one more time and stayed with that owner for another 40 years before being recently acquired by the party now offering the car for sale.
The Superdart looks quite tidy and presentable in original condition, which includes the paint, chrome, and upholstery. In other words, it looks as nice as it was when it left the car show circuit in 1958. I remember seeing photos over the years of both the automobile and the dream car that inspired it. Since this is a one-of-kind vehicle of museum quality, would anyone care to hazard a guess as to what the seller may be asking for it? And what it might finally go for? Unfortunately, the answers to those questions will probably never be known unless you make a series of inquiries yourself.
This car SCREAMS Audrain, if only for an exhibition display!
Difficult to put a price on something like this.
It is; so the seller can literally name their price on this. Me? I’d put $500K on it, and go from there. I’ve seen this car in person–few have–and it is spectacular! Much of this car is original, including the interior. The 392 Hemi for `57 was rated at 375HP, but that is a conservative estimate by the mfr. HP rating actually was over 400HP. A car like this you do not drive; you put it on display in a VERY prestigious museum.
About the price – “If you have to ask…….”
And no location mentioned either.
Dragone Classic Cars; Orange, Connecticut. No price listed.
I wonder if Jay Leno looks at Barnfinds? This car is right up his alley for sure.
Every serious collector will know this is for sale. Ads for rare and desirable cars get passed around. I’m sure it’s been discussed on more than a few enthusiast website’s.
Steve R
Usually “concept cars”, as they are called, are these wacky, far out creations that don’t even have a motor, but I could see something like this actually catching on, I mean, it’s no more oddball than any of the other cars from that time. Stout, proven mechanicals, I think it’s beautiful.
This car looks like an electric razor
Looking at this thing gives me a headache…It’s a combination of so many cars…
I’m currently searching for a 57 DeSoto Firedome coupe however not much luck. But this car is simply stunning.
But it wasn’t when it was designed and built.
I agree. An ugly miss match of design elements. Main stream US auto design of the time were better balanced.
Guys…
I bet you the designers picked up a case of beer and some KFC when doing the designs… They probably picked up some more beer, as they were getting low, to continue this masterpiece….Viola….. perfection!
Those tailfins tho
My first guess was around 200K. However, the 1956 Chrysler Diablo concept, which couldn’t look more like this one other than having understated fins, sold for nearly 1.4 million 7 years ago!
Don’t be fooled. Last year I saw this very car in the parking lot of the local Food Lion. Took a look at it, climbed under it, looked around. It is actually a VW based kit car. Fake ad.
VW huh? That Hemi under the hood would have fooled me.
Photoshop
You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time. You see an ad for a car and some old pictures and no price or location listed and it is real. I am an Nigerian prince and I promise to send you 7 million dollars if you wire me 5000 dollars now.
Turbo,
Since your a prince can you send me some money? I wanna buy this car…LOL
Dream on Turbo. A VW based car this size wouldn’t be able to move itself three feet.
photoshop
Well, it’s not Pinin Farina’s continental styling, featured on the spectacular 54 Nash, but it’s very cool.
Italian Roomba. Il Roombacini!
Nice to see no one wanting to make a rat rod out of this classic one of a kind car
Bruce Hughes,
If someone did it would be clearly a waste of cash!
Major. COOL.
And someone did indeed put the miles on it, now reading over 49K!
If this car is real, it belongs in the Petersen Automotive Museum. If not, Pete ‘n Sons Muffler and Bait Shoppe.
Rodney – GSM,
Your too funny…
Very cool hemi powered ride!😎👍
I’m so glad Kyle K has found a new home.
If I’m not mistaken, this car belonged to Kanter (of antique auto parts fame) in Boonton, NJ, I’m sure I saw it there 20 years or so ago. They could have been the previous owner they refer to.
I like it! Except the fish mouth front end!
I agree Jerry. But that is the only detraction for me. The rear 3/4 view and the profile are absolutely stunning. And I’m not really a big fan of the “Forward Look” but this car just speaks to me. Actually it more like screams to me. I bet this sells for well over a million.
Steve RM,
I can hear the car screaming to me also…
WTF….I’m a mess…
This is what I hear.
I’ll start the bidding: $0.02
huh ? my bid is a dollar and two ninety….
I can see from some of the comments that most of you don’t know a lot about Chrysler. This car is a original car and will go for over a million dollars.
I have a set of those air cleaners for sale
Neat. Have a seen it in many pictures. Chrysler had the prettiest and generally most viable concept cars. A lot of what came the next decade actually seen here. I’m on the fence about the grille, but love the bumper that wraps around the whole car.
Fred Kanter brought this to our Saratoga show in 2016. It’s really in fine condition. Wish I could post a pic here of this car at the head of our row of contemporary Imperials!
Dragone has had this for sale for a good while. I happen to think it’s a spectacular car. Emailed them in June for the price. No response. E mailed again, they responded. “Sorry for the delay – price has been reduced to $1,000,000.” Byeee…
Kind of neat to see some (barely any) similar items to my ’56 dodge: accordion pwr brake booster, rear a/c ducts on package tray, and hubcaps!
I Kyle K back? Nice find
Ring-a-ding-ding! This belongs in Palm Springs!