by Mike –
In the early 1950s Virgil Exner was hired by Chrysler to update the Chrysler design image which was a little stodgy at the time.
Exner developed a relationship with Ghia that lasted for 15 years, resulting in eighteen Chrysler/Ghia specials some owned by many celebrities.
1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1
Ghia is a well known Italian automobile design and coach building company that originally made lightweight aluminum-bodied cars, notably the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500, that won the Mille Miglia in 1929. Before World War II Ghia designed special bodies for Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Lancia.
These “Idea Cars” are still inspiring today as they were originally meant to be. The mechanicals are all Chrysler with a 331 cubic-inch Hemi V8 which puts out 175 hp. The Hemi was connected to a two-speed PowerFlite or Fluid Torque transmission. The body style, however, is from Ghia and Exner.
The beautiful example shown here is a 1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 and was photographed at the Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance in 2012.
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What do you think about the results of cooperation between Chrysler and Ghia? Let us know in the Comments.
I have always thought that the co-operation between the two companies produced superb styling ahead of the times and often, if not all, some of which appeared on production cars and provided huge public awareness for Chrysler. This period produced for Chrysler greater public awareness that must have influenced sales enormously and makes the decision to force Exner out nothing but rotten internal politics.
Maybe Chrysler and Fiat can do something great together?
Hopefully, as that seems to be the direction it’s heading at the moment, so hopefully we may see that translated in style resurgence through the “Italian influence” that must filter in, if not already happening behind the scenes!??
I hope not to upset anyone if I give a candid answer to the question you asked, Mike. I’d describe this car as ” butter face” or “but her face”. I love the execution from the back all the way to the a-pillars. The front end look ungainly with a huge grille and the headlight clusters buried somewhere around its ankles. The smallish hood scoop is underproportioned at best, but is was it really necessary? I know that some may say that these elements reflect the taste of those days, but good taste has been around then as well.
George – compare it to other American cars from 1954.
I completely agree with George the front of this car looks like an afterthought. The low mounted headlights give a “fatness to the front that makes it very unattractive. Moving the Headlamps up under the fender would have done wonders for the front end. I may just do some photoshop and send it in…