1967-Ghia-450 SS Convertible

Description

1967 Ghia 450 SS Convertible
s/n BS4041
Red with Tan Interior

Colossally expensive when new, the Ghia 450SS is an extremely rare car that combines the elegant styling of Giorgetto Giugiaro with reliable and robust mechanicals from Chrysler. Burt Sugarman, a famous Hollywood producer, was so taken by a Giugiaro penned Ghia concept car (on a Fiat 2300 chassis) that he had seen at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, that he convinced Ghia to hand build a limited run of similar but open cars with Chrysler mechanicals. The car was displayed at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, and in 1966 and 1967, just 52 examples were built. All were sold new in the United States via a dealer in Beverly Hills, with a price tag that exceeded $11,000, or about the same as a new Lamborghini 400GT. Hand built and luxuriously finished with completely bespoke interiors, the cars embody the now lost art of the coachbuilt car, and are among the last of their type.

This particular car is one of approximately 22 Ghia 450 SS Spyders that still exist today. The car’s original purchaser sold the car when it was a year or two old to a noted Southern California collector, Jack Croul, who used the car as his daily driver for 13 years. After much haranguing as only a brother could do, John Croul purchased the car from his brother in 1985. In 1988, he had a mechanical and cosmetic restoration performed by Chrisman’s Auto Rod Specialties in Santa Ana, California. The company’s owner, Art Chrisman, was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1997 because of his motorsports exploits, which included drag racing, hot rod construction, and a number of motorsports records.

The restoration took three years, and the car has seen minimal use since. He brought the car to the Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance several times in the late 1990s, where he exhibited the car on a non-competitive basis. He sold the car in 2011, making the car a very long term California example with few owners from new. At this time, the car remains very fresh in appearance, and runs and drives very well too.

Cosmetically, the car is in excellent order and is a very interesting to behold because its rarity renders its details unfamiliar to most. The proportions are excellent, and the styling has an understated elegance that is very striking. Details such as the Talbot mirror, Borrani wire wheels and quad give the car an unmistakably European sporting flair. The paintwork and bodywork on this particular car are excellent, with high quality paint over an excellent body. The panels are very straight and display excellent fit, while the paintwork is free of significant blemishes, and is excellent considering its age. The chrome is good across the board, although close inspection reveals some light pitting, and there is haze on the rear bumper. The wheels are excellent. The hardtop is also in very nice condition, with excellent paint, glass and headliner, though there is one small stress crack at the bottom corner of the window.

The interior has a decidedly Italian period feel. The styling is simple, elegant, and luxuriously finished, and there are a number of neat touches that distinguish this car as a coachbuilt vehicle. For example, the seats are beautifully styled with obvious mid-century modern furniture influences (notably the Eames armchair). The air conditioning has neat metal vent flaps, and the steering wheel is a delicate wood-rimmed affair, while the instruments are stylish and distinctive. The carpets and upholstery are excellent, and it is clear that the car has been used minimally and carefully stored since its restoration. and are finished in tan leather, which is in excellent condition.

The engine compartment and trunk also reflect a high quality restoration that has been well cared for since its completion. The engine compartment is very tidy throughout, with extremely clean inner fenders, and nicely finished components. There are a few areas that are starting to show some age such as the manifolds, but overall, the engine has the appearance consistent with a show quality restoration with minimal use since. The trunk is luxuriously finished in high quality in carpeting, and presents essentially as new.

The undercarriage is also extremely nice. It is clear that the car is a long time California car, with no noted evidence of corrosion or corrosion repair. The underside of the car is quite clean and tidy, and there are signs of high quality restoration and detailing work having been performed in the past. The car runs and drives well. It starts easily and with power steering and an automatic transmission, is effortless to drive, making it an ideal open top cruiser. The brakes work effectively, and the transmission shifts seamlessly. The car has just completed a 1000 mile plus road trip without incident, which speaks to its mechanical soundness.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a very rare open Ghia with excellent history. One of only a handful built, this car is an unusual coachbuilt example of Ghia’s long tradition. The combination of this car’s rarity and its long time California history make it a particularly outstanding example. Beautifully presented and never neglected, the car is also equipped with its original hardtop, and is ready to be enjoyed.