1967 Ghia 450SS Convertible with Hardtop

1967 Ghia 450SS Convertible with Hardtop
Design by Giorgetto Giugiaro
Chassis no. BS4023
4,490cc OHV Chrysler 'Commando' V8
Single 4-Barrel Carburetor
235bhp at 5,200rpm
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Independent Front and Live Axle with Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
Front Disc and Rear Drum Brakes

*One of only 57 produced and 35 believed to survived
*Desirable manual transmission
*Coachbuilt Italian design, American power
*Fitted with both Hard and Softtop

THE GHIA 450SS

Carrozzeria Ghia was founded by Giacinto Ghia in Turin in 1919, soon establishing a reputation not just for luxury coachwork but also for bodying competition cars. Despite its founder's death in 1944 and wartime damage to the factory, Ghia resumed its place at the forefront of Italian coachbuilding after WWII, providing the training ground for many of Italy's rising-star designers: Michelotti, Boano, Frua and Savonuzzi all making a contribution to its continuing success. Ghia has collaborated with many of the world's leading car manufacturers, producing memorable models such as the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, Lancia Aurelia B20 and FIAT 1500 and 2300 Coupés. One of few houses that has survived to this day, although in latter years this was because of Ford ownership, the 450 SS model dates from the days when the company was still independent and busy exhibiting ground breaking designs at the world's leading auto shows.

There can be no denying that the Ghia 450SS represents a statement of its era and blends what was then avant garde European styling by the famed Ghia design house and penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The design was actually first seen on a Fiat 2100 at the 1960 Turin Show, the fact that it became a reality was owing to the foresight of entrepreneur and Hollywood film producer Bert Sugarman, who caught sight of the car in a magazine and worked to convince Ghia to manufacture it. Sugarman's idea was to combine its styling with the performance engines of his own country, and to do so he proposed that instead of the FIAT, it be underpinned by a Plymouth Barracuda Formula S. By the time the car actually entered production, it was far more than a rebodied Barracuda and had its own chassis configuration, and a well constructed steel body, essentially providing a rigid semi-monocoque. Beneath the hood was his desired phenomenal Mopar performance, in this case provided by a 273ci 'Commando' V8 breathing through a single Carter carburetor. Sadly, the car was not a huge success and it is understood that just 57 cars were built of those, the survival rate has been poor and just 35 are recorded as extant.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This ultra rare Ghia lived on the West Coast for many years in the collection of a known collector of work by the coachbuilder. It is essentially a good, correct and original example which has benefited from its favorable climate for the majority of its life.

Presented in handsome red paint scheme, with a well-appointed black leather interior, with Eames style bucket seats, the car has the added benefit of the optional factory hard top. This accessory quite literally provides the car with two very different road guises, both equally haunch and sporting. Adding further to the driver qualities of the car is the fact that it has a manual transmission and to its aesthetics are its chrome wire wheels and extremely rare Ghia inscribed carpets.

Acquired by the current owner nine years ago, the car has been on static display since joining the present collection. While Bonhams specialists were able to breath life back into the car and get it running, mechanical recommissioning is recommended after its near-decade of unused slumber.