To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVEEstimate:
$40,000 - $75,000
- An early show car collaboration between Ford and Ghia
- Exhibited at the 1964 Turin Motor Show
- Based on the Falcon Sprint chassis, ancestor of the
Mustang
- 260 cu. in. V-8 engine; automatic transmission
- Original condition; ideal basis for restoration
Built in early 1964 on a Ford Falcon Sprint chassis, the Clan was
designed for Carrozzeria Ghia by Sergio Sartorelli and appeared
later that year at the Turin Motor Show. Ghia's promotional
materials for the models claimed that they had taken note of the
superior performance of the new Falcon Sprint, with its 260-cubic
inch V-8 engine, and were inspired to use it as the basis for this
sleek coupe with very modern styling, with echoes of the body
Sartorelli had famously designed for a Maserati 5000 GT. The
fastback roof could be seen as anticipating Plymouth's upcoming
Barracuda; like the Barracuda, the Clan's rear seat folded,
creating a spacious luggage area easily loaded through the large
rear hatch. When the hatch was raised, it could be fixed into
place, level with the roof, to carry additional luggage atop its
surface; clever footholds were provided in the rear fenders for
loading and unloading. The result, Ghia emphasized, was station
wagon utility in a smaller coupe footprint.
The Clan was a very early example of partnership between the Blue
Oval and Ghia. Ford would eventually buy controlling shares in the
coachbuilder in 1970, and retains ownership to this day.
Dennis Mitosinka acquired the Clan for his collection in 2002. It
has remained largely in storage since and remains in original
condition, including what are believed to be its Ghia paint and
upholstery, the latter in very intact order except for the carpets.
Its Carello parking lights and Hell taillights, the latter a period
modification from the original Falcon units, have been replaced
possibly in period by Ghia; Mark IV air conditioning was also added
at some point in the past. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer
recorded 73,389 miles.
The Clan is accompanied by a small history file of older receipts
and emails relating to various components, and is also pictured in
Valerio Moretti's Ghia (page 264); in David Burgess-Wise's Ghia:
Ford's Carrozzeria (page 101); and in the April 2002 issue of
Collectible Automobile magazine. It ranks among the most memorable
and attractive automobiles built on the Falcon chassis, with the
added bonus of the potent Sprint drivetrain.
Please note that this lot is titled as a 1967.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mt20.
