To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Monterey event, 15 - 17
August 2019.
Estimate:
$325,000 - $375,000
- Highly desirable, optional 325 cu. in. Hemi V-8
- Formerly owned by Paul Sable, Joe Morgen, and Thomas Derro
- Believed to be one of only 100 examples produced from 1956 to
1958
- Detroit power, Italian design, and Hollywood flash
When Chrysler opted out of putting its striking Dodge Firearrow
show cars into production, Detroit trucking magnate Eugene Casaroll
purchased the rights to the design. By 1957, his Dual Motors, named
for the twin-engine trucks that the factory once produced, had a
modified version of the Firearrow in production. It was known as
the Dual-Ghia, and it featured an unbeatable combination of
reliable Motor City-bred Dodge V-8 power and gorgeous hand-formed
bodywork by Italian coachbuilders Ghia of Turin.
Casaroll personally hand-chose his customers from a list of
clamoring applicants. Frank Sinatra, who was the brightest of all
stars at the time, was a natural choice, as were his friends Peter
Lawford and Eddie Fisher. 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.
The car shown here, chassis no. 125, was built in 1957 on a 1956
Dodge chassis and has the desirable 325 cu. in. D500-1 Hemi V-8.
One of six Dual-Ghias acquired by software entrepreneur Frank
Pritt, one for each of his children, it was subsequently purchased
from Mr. Pritt by well-known Dual-Ghia historians Dr. Paul Sable
and Joseph Morgan, who sold it to Thomas Derro in 2006. Mr. Derro
proceeded to have the car fully restored to original condition in
this period-correct bright red with an authentic red-and-white
interior. Afterwards the car was selectively exhibited at various
concours d'elegance. The car was purchased by the current owner in
the fall of 2017.
Upon acquiring the car, a complete mechanical review was
commissioned to ensure it was a perfect, tour-ready example.
Highlights of the work completed included going through the fuel
and brake systems, a full inspection of the transmission, and
fitting the car with new tires. With the work done, a high-quality,
professional detail was completed. The car is in show-quality
condition, having covered only 64 miles since it was restored by
Mr. Derro. It's considered by many to be one of the finest
Dual-Ghias in existence.
The result of a unique partnership between Detroit and Turin, the
Dual-Ghia remains the great status symbol of the Jet Age.To view
this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please
visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo19.