Vehicle Description
Detroiter Eugene Casaroll may not have worked directly for any of
the Big Three, but he was nevertheless an essential player in the
US automobile industry. His business, Auto Shippers, Inc., had
close ties with the Chrysler Corporation, handling the critical
task of delivering new Chrysler products to dealers around the
country. His other company, Dual Motors, produced massive
twin-engine tank haulers for the US Military during World War II,
leaving Mr. Casaroll with a handy pile of cash after the war. While
touring the 1953 New York Auto Show, Eugene Casaroll was stopped in
his tracks by a stunning new dream car by Chrysler - the
Ghia-designed Dodge Fire Arrow. Chrysler's head of design, Virgil
Exner, had cultivated a fruitful relationship with the Italian
carrozzeria, but he struggled to convince Chrysler's conservative
board that the cars were worthy of production. Mr. Casaroll, on the
other hand, had no board to answer to, an idle factory, a pile of
cash burning a hole in his pocket, and a dream to see his name in
chrome. He acquired the rights to the Fire Arrow design, and Ghia
was more than happy to supply him with as many bodies as needed.
Casaroll incorporated the new venture as Dual-Ghia and commissioned
a prototype, and once the curiously named "Fire Bomb" hit the show
circuit, orders for this opulent new boulevard cruiser soon came
in. Casaroll struck an agreement with Chrysler to supply bare 1956
Dodge chassis, which were shipped to Torino, Italy, to receive
their coachwork. They then returned to the USA to be fitted with
either a 315 cubic-inch Hemi or 315 cubic-inch Poly-head V8.
Naturally, this was an extremely costly endeavor, translating into
an exorbitant sticker price. Such exclusivity appealed to a select
clientele, which included such names as Ronald Reagan, Frank
Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, and Lucille Ball. While exact production
numbers have long been a source of debate, marque historian Dr.
Paul Sable estimates 100 Dual Ghias were built, including one or
possibly two hard tops, of which 80 complete cars are known. This
striking example is chassis 105, the fifth Dual-Ghia produced. It
was built for Mrs. Esther Jacobson of the Detroit-based Jacobson's
Department Store family. This car is the subject of a meticulous,
multi-year restoration by the respected White Hall Restorations of
Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and is very near to exact original
specifications. When discovered by the most recent owner, the car
had been repainted and was a bit rough around the edges, but
overall quite sound. After careful research, they determined the
original specs and colors and aimed to restore the car as
faithfully as possible, a process that took in excess of three
years of painstaking labor. Dual-Ghia 105 looks positively
resplendent in its original shade of Chrysler Vermont Green,
accented with a matching two-tone interior, dark green top, and
rare original Motor Wheels chrome wire wheels. The paintwork is
gorgeous, and the body is crisply defined with exceptionally
straight panels. The extensive brightwork was beautifully restored
at considerable expense. The Dual Ghia's cabin is a marvelous blend
of Italian sophistication and American mid-century opulence. Chrome
dials and controls decorate the body-color metal dash, and an
engine-turned instrument cluster houses the large, chrome-trimmed
gauges. The detailing is exquisite and a testament to the
restorer's craft. The leather was custom dyed to achieve the proper
color, and months were spent sourcing the unique NOS patterned
carpeting. As with many early Dual-Ghias, the glovebox bears an
engraved plate with the original owner's name. Similar attention to
detail was paid beneath the hood, where the 315 c.i. Mopar
Poly-head V8 sits in an immaculate engine bay. It is authentically
detailed in the correct shade of red/orange, topped with a
gloss-black oil bath air cleaner, and dressed with period-correct
hardware, plumbing, and clamps. Other correct details include the
Mopar washer bag and combination generator/power steering pump. The
big V8 is paired with a Torque-Flite automatic transmission for
effortless cruising ability. The result of all this fastidious
effort is one of the finest examples of a Dual-Ghia extant. It has
numerous awards and accolades to its credit, including First in
Class & Best in Show at the 2014 Hemmings Concours, a cover story
in Hemmings Classic Car (July 2015), AACA 1st Junior Award at
Hershey, and many class and special awards at events including
Winter Park, The Elegance at Hershey, Boca Raton, Keeneland
Concours, Keels & Wheels, Hilton Head, and the Cavallino Classic.
The Dual-Ghia has all the makings of automotive greatness - rarity,
power, style, coachbuilt cachet, and a fascinating origin story.
This gorgeous example will be right at home in any prestigious
collection and is ready for its next custodian to delight in its
visual splendor. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7480-1957-dual-ghia/
