Dual-Ghia

1957 Dual-Ghia D-500

1958 Chrysler Dual-Ghia Coupe Prototype

Dual-Ghia is a rare, short-lived, automobile make, produced in the United States between 1956 and 1958. The idea for Dual-Ghia came from Eugene Casaroll, who formed Dual Motors in Detroit, Michigan to build an exclusive car at a moderate price.

The design was based on an earlier show-car of Chrysler, named the Firearrow, which had been designed by Virgil Exner. The Dual-Ghia car was designed by Chrysler. The design was fairly conservative with single headlamps and slab-sided features, avoiding fins and other styling gimmicks. A four-place convertible was the only offering.

A Dodge frame and drive-train was transported to Italy, where the bodywork was fabricated by the Italian Coachbuilder Ghia. Performance was excellent, due to the cars being powered by the small 315 cu in (5.2 L) Dodge hemispherical-head short-stroke V-8 engine.

Rarity

Out of the 117 cars produced, 32 still existed as of July 2006. The cars were mostly bought by American celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, and Richard Nixon. Desi Arnaz owned one, but he wrecked it. Ronald Reagan owned one, which he lost in a high-stakes poker game with then-President Lyndon Johnson, who kept the car for several years. Dean Martin had one at one point as well, according to his son Ricci. Dean Martin can be seen driving his Dual-Ghia in the film Kiss Me, Stupid.

See also

• Ghia

External links

• "Dual-Ghia". http://glass.s5.com/. 
• Horsley, Carter B. (May 18, 2002). "Classic Car auction at Christies". http://thecityreview.com/s02ccar.html. 
• Brierly, Brooks (December 15, 2005). "1954 Dodge Firearrow Sport Coupe". AutoWeek. http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051226/FREE/51214012/1027.