Spectacular concours level restoration by marque specialist
One of approximately 100 produced; one of approximately 30 known to
exist
One of the last few built
2010 Pebble Beach award winner
Gorgeous color combination
Previous Ghia collector ownership
Rare optional D-500 260 hp “Red Ram” Hemi V8 engine
Recent service including a full transmission rebuild performed by
marque specialist
Performs wonderfully
Documentation includes Pebble Beach paperwork, copies of Dual-Ghia
factory papers, marque history, concours photos and more
Options include:
Power windows
Power steering
Power brakes
Whitewall tires
Chrome spinner wheel covers
Town & Country AM radio
Simply the best Dual-Ghia available anywhere in the world
A collector’s dream!
American Businessman Eugene Casaroll, who is credited as the
inventor of the auto shipping business, had previous success in the
automotive industry as his Dual Motors Corporation in Detroit,
Michigan built military vehicles for use during WWII. His first
production car was born out of his appreciation for the Virgil
Exner designed and Carrozzeria-Ghia bodied Dodge Firebomb show car
of 1955. After the Chrysler Group decided not to proceed with
Firebomb production, Casaroll purchased the show car and together
with designer Paul Farago refined the design for larger production.
Farago was able to increase both passenger compartment space and
luggage space with sacrificing Exner’s original design, but he did
make the addition of tail fins, an American staple of the time. The
renamed Dual-Ghia was first put into production by Casaroll’s Dual
Motors Corporation in 1956. In a press release Casaroll described
his new car as “intended for the car lover and, I am proud to say,
is built by men who can claim that title by right of their art.”
Dual-Ghia production started out with Dodge D-500 chassis that were
shipped to Carrozzeria-Ghia in Turin, Italy, who shorted the
wheelbase and hand-formed every inch of the Dual-Ghia’s body. Even
with all their resources Ghia was limited to producing roughly a
dozen bodies a month with each one subject to over 200 man hours of
hand finished bodywork. English colony leather was sourced for
every Dual-Ghia interior and helped to place the Dual-Ghia in a
class of its own. Power was derived from the Dodge “Red Ram” HEMI
V8 that was available with an optional 260 horsepower that was
mated to a two speed “TorqueFlite” automatic transmission giving
the Dual-Ghia effortless performance. Casaroll’s car combined the
best of American innovation with the best Italian craftsmen in the
world and was really in a class of its own. Despite this, the
retail price of roughly $7,500 meant that it was only $200 more
than a Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. Casaroll’s unwillingness to
compromise quality for cost quickly caught up with the Dual Motors
Corporation and the model was put out of production by 1958. It has
been estimated that only 100 Dual-Ghia’s were produced. Of this
only around 30 are known to exist in running and driving condition.
Their iconic, hand formed lines mated with the proven American
performance originally gained the attention of celebrities
including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Ronald Reagan just as
today they gain the attention of the world’s most discerning
collectors and museums.
It was this one-upmanship that led legendary Hollywood columnist
Dorothy Kilgallen to wisecrack that a Rolls-Royce was the “status
symbol for those who can’t get a Ghia.” Presumably, there were a
lot of Rolls-Royces delivered in the late 1950s, but only about 100
Dual-Ghias were made between 1956 and 1958. With the exception of a
duo of prototype coupes, all were convertibles. Chassis number 197
is a very late-production example that was among the last examples
built at the end of first-generation Dual-Ghia production. It is
one car of about half of the 100-car production run built with the
Dodge "Red Ram" V-8, which was a desirable optional 260-brake
horsepower “Hemi” design that was considered to be the most
sought-after of the engines offered by enthusiasts.
The 1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible featured here is finished in
stunning Midnight Blue with a gorgeous tan and blue leather
interior. It has made numerous Concours d‘Elegance appearances and
took home an award at the coveted Pebble Beach show in 2010. This
investment-grade Dual-Ghia is one of only 30 known to exist and is
without question one of the best examples available on the market
today. We are proud to offer this incredible motorcar to the most
sophisticated collector, investor or enthusiast who only wants the
best. Classic cars have proven to be among the most resilient and
rewarding investments in recent years with the Historic Automobile
Group Index (HAGI) jumping 39% in 2013, 16% in 2014 and 17% in 2015
while posting gains of 467% over the last 10 years. Ready to make
an investment you can actually enjoy? Please contact one of our
expert sales consultants at (314)291-7000 or [email protected] for
more information. They will be happy to give you a complete
walk-around, supply you with a more detailed description, and
answer any questions you may have. Buy with confidence; this is a
extremely rare opportunity!
Trades welcome! Financing available! Please visit www.schmitt.com
to view our full inventory.
