When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Greybeard- Ya hit it on the coach works being Ghia. But I think you know much more..
Blue- So Very Close. I wouldn't be surprised if the coachwork on your pic was Ghia as well. But IDK for sure..
It is in fact: 1953 DeSoto Adventurer I Concept Car
Chrysler (DeSoto’s parent, in case you didn’t know or even if you did) almost put this car into production. However, the memory of the Airflow of the 1930s still lingered at Chrysler and that, coupled with corporate conservatism, doomed the car to concept-only status.
The January, 1954 issue of Popular Mechanics shows the De Soto Adventurer I and the Dodge Firearrow and mentions that the bodies for both cars were built in Italy by Ghia. Chrysler Corporation had a partnership with Ghia in the 1950s that led to cars like the rare Chrysler Ghia ST Special and the Dual-Ghia.
Supposedly, the Adventurer I was Virgil Exner’s favorite car and he lobbied hard for Chrysler to put the car into production. Since it was an early-1950s DeSoto, it was powered by DeSoto’s version of the first Chrysler hemi engine.
Yes it’s a 1956 Oldsmobile Golden RocketOldsmobile was a powerhouse in the 1950s, and its shark-nosed Golden Rocket concept, which made the rounds as part of 1956’s General Motors Motorama, showed how ambitious the brand was. Decidedly sporty, if a little strange-looking with its round headlamps tucked between the skinny grille and high-set, missile-like fenders, the fiberglass-bodied Golden Rocket could have outaccelerated a Corvette at the time, thanks to its 275-hp V-8 and lithe 2500-pound curb weight. Sadly, few of its nifty styling features made production, save for the wraparound split-rear-window treatment, which appeared on the 1963 Corvette. As fast as it was, its luxury features were equally interesting, including a power-tilting steering column, seats that automatically raised and swiveled out when the doors opened, and twin roof panels that tilted upward to facilitate ingress and egress, adding even more drama to arrival.
Let's see if this sticks: 1957 Chrysler Diablo [concept car]
Considered the most valuable concept car of the late 1950s, the revolutionary Diablo will be the star attraction of RM Auctions' multi-million dollar Sports & Classics of Monterey auction event, to be held August 15th and 16th in downtown Monterey, California.
Conceived by Chrysler's design head, Virgil Exner, arguably America's most influential stylist, this rare example was built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia for the Chrysler Corp. on a 1955 Chrysler 300 series chassis A featured concept car for the 1957 US auto show circuit, the car is one of the largest and most impressive concept cars ever built, stretching an impressive 22 feet in length.
1957, the Diablo was Chrysler's star concept car of the year. With an investment from Chrysler of over $250,000, the Diablo was showcased to the public at the 1958 Chicago Auto Show, before being returned to Ghia in Italy for their corporate promotion. The car eventually found its way back to the United States and has been under the careful care of its current owner for over 25 years. The sale of this important American concept will be accompanied by extensive documentation, detailing its history and restoration.
Adding to its fascinating history, the car nearly sealed its fate along with the legendary ChryslerNorseman, when it was scheduled to be shipped aboard the ill-fated Andrea Doria. Luckily, for dream car enthusiasts, last minute work delayed its shipment, preserving it for the enjoyment of future generations.
1957 Chrysler Diablo concept 1
Last edited by sleeper; Dec 10, 2020 at 09:30 PM.
Reason: Add more content
Close enough, it’s listed as a 1956-57 Dart Diablo
1956–1957 Chrysler Dart/DiabloOf the numerous Chrysler/Ghia collaborations of the 1950s, the 1956 Dart/Diablo was arguably the greatest. This concept was built on the chassis of a 1956 Chrysler 300 and was originally dubbed the Dart, featuring a low, ovoid, horizontal grille rendered in chrome that streaked all the way down its clean, unadorned body sides. With its smooth body and inset wheels, the Dart was extremely aerodynamic, so gigantic fins were used for stability as well as style. It originally featured a trick, if unreliable, retractable hardtop that slid back in three positions—sunroof, landau, and fully retracted—but in 1957 it was sent back to Ghia, where the elaborate roof was swapped for a more conventional ragtop and the tailfins were shaved down to more relatable proportions. Thus equipped and renamed the Dart Diablo, the nearly 21-foot-long show car was shown to the public at the 1958 Chicago auto show. In 2013, it sold at auction for a cool $1.4 million.