Vehicle Description
• 1 of only 117 Dual-Ghia's produced, fewer than 35 known to still
exist • Believed to have been purchased by Frank Sinatra for Ava
Gardner • Documented and featured in 1992 Sinatra TV Series •
Prominently displayed in the Petersen Automotive Museum at its
grand opening • Awards at Palos Verde and Greystone Mansion
Concours Dual-Ghia's allure is more than its sheer exclusivity or
the intrigue of an American-Italian co-production. It's the style,
the-overcome-the-impossible swagger and Rat Pack panache. Very few
concept cars in history have made it to production, but thanks to
Eugene Casaroll's tenacity, this one did and it's every bit the
star he dreamed of. One look at the Dual-Ghia can transform Sunset
Boulevard from seedy to glamourous as the sophisticated beauty
purrs down the strip with Sinatra behind the wheel. Old blue eyes,
a diehard Dual-Ghia fan and owner, is said to have purchased this
particular car, VIN 150, for film star, Ava Gardner. Only 117
Dual-Ghias were produced and a mere 32 are known to still exist.
The fact that they were made at all is quite an anomaly. They
evolved from concept cars built by Carrozzeria Ghia for Dodge and
staggeringly few concept cars in history ever made it into regular
production due to the astronomical cost. The reality of a
mass-produced automobile to a handcrafted show car is a gulf of
expense; consequently, its quality is like comparing Michelangelo's
David to Mattel's Ken doll. It's that level of detail and quality
that made Eugene Casaroll's passion project an unlikely reality;
ultimately, it also led to the dream car's inevitable demise.
Eugene Casaroll, the visionary behind Dual-Ghia, is largely
recognized for inventing the modern car hauler. He also
manufactured tank movers for the military that were powered by an
engine in the front and rear, hence the name Dual Motors. His true
passion was the Dual-Ghia. Inspired by Virgil Exner-designed Dodge
concept cars built by Italian coachwork firm, Carrozzeria Ghia,
Casaroll negotiated with Dodge to use their design. Passenger and
trunk space were expanded for luxurious comfort. Then, in response
to fin fever gripping the nation, Casaroll made a subtle,
last-minute alteration to the design to accommodate the latest
trend. The final product is a sophisticated, nuanced fin that
complements the mid-century mod aesthetic of the car in a way that
is timeless, especially in comparison to some of the garish,
overdone fins of the day. It's often said that Dual-Ghia had the
longest production line in the world, from Detroit, Michigan to
Turin, Italy and back again. A Dodge chassis was shipped to Ghia
where its wheelbase was shortened then world-class craftsmen
fabricated the sleek, steel body by hand. No expense was spared in
fabrication or in the Turin interior. From there, the car returned
to Dual Motors where bodies were fitted with the interior's trim,
electrical and the powerful Dodge powertrain. American mechanical
innovation and Italian craftsmanship came together to produce pure
dynamite, but when something blazes that hot it's bound to burn out
sooner rather than later. Casaroll is rumored to have lost money on
every Dual-Ghia produced and his goal of 150 cars a year fell short
at only 117. That did nothing to stem the tide of fervent appeal.
Hollywood celebrities and heads of state across the world clamored
for a Dual-Ghia. Owners included then-governor Ronald Reagan,
President Eisenhower, the Shah of Iran, Lucille Ball and Desi
Arnez, as well as Francis Albert Sinatra and his Rat Pack. This
example, purchased by Frank Sinatra's production company, is
believed to have been a gift for Ava Gardner, but that's not the
car's only connection to the 'Chairman of the Board'. In 1992, the
sensual, midnight blue beauty was featured in the television
series, Sinatra; Warner Brothers' paperwork and insurance for the
car during filming accompany the sale. The car would continue to
enjoy the attentions of Hollywood.
