What happens when an American auto manufacture, a Detroit auto shipper, and an Italian coachwork firm get together? Well, an amazingly beautiful, reliable, and powerful car is born. Or at least that’s what happened in 1956, when Chrysler, Dual Motors, and Carrozzeria Ghia teamed up to build the Dual Ghia convertible. This exclusive master piece was an instant hit with America’s rich and famous, with notable owners such as James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and even Ronald Reagan.
The Dual Ghia’s design was based on Virgil Exner’s Chrysler Firearrow concept car of the early ’50s. When Chrysler decided to not put the design into production, Eugene Casaroll decided to buy the Firearrow, redesign it, and produce it himself. He struck a deal with Chrysler to provide him with the chassis and drivetrain for the car and he got Ghia to manufacture the body. The Chrysler chassis were shipped to Turin Italy, where Ghia manufactured each body by hand and then fitted them to the Chrysler Chassis. The rolling chassis were then shipped back to Detroit for final assembly.
Given the fantastic styling and impressive build quality, it’s no wonder it was so popular amongst Americas upper class. Sadly, of the 117 Dual Ghias built between 1956 and 1958 it’s believed that only 32 remain. This beautiful example has been meticulously restored and is currently looking for a new home. The car has recently been listed here on eBay and already has a current bid of $107,100, but the reserve has still yet to be met.
Not only did Chrysler provide Dual with the Chassis, but it also provided it with the fantastic 315 cu in. D-500 high performance Hemi V8. The D-500 version of the Hemi produced an impressive 260 hp and 330 lbs. of torque. This allowed the Dual Ghia to achieve an impressive top speed of just over 120 mph.
Even parked amongst some of Italia’s best sports car, the Dual Ghia is striking and grabs your attention almost instantly. We love the lines of this car and the green on Ivory white with white wall tires is absolutely breathtaking. This is definitley a car that will be welcome at Concours and road rallys a like.
I love it. However, the eBay listing said that the design avoided fins. What are those things on top of the quarter panels?
They are small compared to the ’58 Chrysler lineup.
You have a point there, Bob. Would it be considered a travesty if one put a 392 and a cast-iron Torqueflite in it?
The gas flap placement and the side vents are great. Did “Duel” mean two-seater, duel exhaust?
Amazing vehicle. Jeff, I believe that the Dual comes from Dual Motors who worked on this with Chrysler and Ghia.
That is a gorgeous car. Outshines every other car in that bottom pic
I believe one went down with the Andrea Doria ?
RE: ConnSharK: If I remember correctly, the car that went down w/ the Andrea Doria was the Chrysler “Plainsman” concept car. But then I freely admit, I suffer from “Sometimer’s Disease”….(sometimes I forget!!) :-)
Sorry to say there were only 100 made 2 coupes 4 without fins and the rest had fins. I Have worked on and restored 28 of these Ghia’s and make everthing for them , do to the fact they rusted out, no drains ever installed, to take care of the water. Did try to put a 392 Hemi in once, stupid cause you have to hack metal out to make that huge motor fit but anything is possible used a vega steering box and steering from an outlaw sprintcar.P.S. if anyone is interested shoot me an email. Thanks Ken