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Exner's concept car going for sale
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FinFan
Posted 2008-07-16 11:22 AM (#137816)
Subject: Exner's concept car going for sale


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QUoting from Autofoto.pl : One in the world example of Chrysler's concept car - Chrysler Diablo - will be for sale on the Sports and CLassics of Monterey auction in California, held on 15 & 16 of August 2008.
This concept was designed by Virgil Exner, and built by Carozzeria Ghia in Italy. Completely working prototype Diablo with soft top was constructed with 1955 300 as a base , powered by 6.5 liter Hemi V8 with automatic transmission.
It is unique example for sure, it's stunning look and incredible interior will make you think where have all the cars with soul gone - this one belongs to them for sure.

Edited by FinFan 2008-07-16 11:27 AM




(Chrysler Diablo 2.jpg)



(Chrysler Diablo 3.jpg)



(Chrysler Diablo 5.jpg)



(Chrysler Diablo 4.jpg)



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Attachments Chrysler Diablo 2.jpg (92KB - 122 downloads)
Attachments Chrysler Diablo 3.jpg (63KB - 121 downloads)
Attachments Chrysler Diablo 5.jpg (102KB - 128 downloads)
Attachments Chrysler Diablo 4.jpg (86KB - 128 downloads)
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Mr Fins
Posted 2008-07-16 11:54 AM (#137819 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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oh i know, and what a stunning exner concept creation it is.... just read the cover story in unique cars magazine!! wish i had the $$$ to be the winning bidder on the day, but sadly that wont be happening .... adriana
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57burb
Posted 2008-07-16 12:02 PM (#137820 - in reply to #137819)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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That is truly one of the most stunningly beautiful cars ever built.
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d500neil
Posted 2008-07-16 2:31 PM (#137833 - in reply to #137820)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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This car was originally the retractable(?) hardtop big-finned Dart, but, the top and fins were chopped by CHRY to create the
Diablo.

This car has been owned by Joe Bortz, along with the Falcon 2-passenger sports car (which he still owns).

There is a very nice semi-drive report on both of these cars, in a late 70's issue of Cars & Parts (IIRC); got that issue @ home.

The car that I have coveted for decades is the long-lost(to the public-eye) 1953 DeSoto I; that car, like the Falcon, has appeared
to have been painted in several colors. The Falcon was painted in silver, red, and black (IIRC), which had led to speculation that
there might have been more than one being produced. I think that the C&P article confirmed that the paintwork was applied in
overlapping-layers.

The DeSoto I has been variously reported as having been crushed (which CHRY DIDN'T routinely do, to its Concept cars; I've seen
no concrete evidence of its destruction, anywhere, except via anecdote from Virgil JR, IIRC), and that it might have been shipped
off to South America.

Without "Turbine-Car"-type proof of destruction, I will continue to believe that the Soto I still exists, in someone's garage, or
warehouse, somewhere.




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StillOutThere
Posted 2008-07-16 3:45 PM (#137874 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Location: Under the X in Texas

Personally I kinda preferred the car as "The Dart" before it was altered into the convertible "El Diablo" for the following show season to get more life out of the investment.   The fins were higher in the original.

What I really want is a pair of those Diablo exhaust extensions!



Edited by StillOutThere 2008-07-16 3:48 PM




(56dodge_dart.jpg)



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Attachments 56dodge_dart.jpg (13KB - 109 downloads)
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57burb
Posted 2008-07-16 4:06 PM (#137878 - in reply to #137874)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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You could make your own exhaust tips using rippled pipe.

There are several sources for that pipe listed in this thread. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160124&highligh...
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57burb
Posted 2008-07-16 4:07 PM (#137879 - in reply to #137878)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Also, I believe I prefer the red paint and more subdued fins of the Diablo.

If I'm not mistaken, didn't Ghia put this car into limited production? It looked more similar to the first version, but with a '57 DeSoto-esque side trim treatment.
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d500neil
Posted 2008-07-16 4:17 PM (#137883 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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Yeah, those particular exhaust extensions (shooting straight outward) would only serve to allow exhaust crap to get all
over the rear of the car.

The Dodge exhaust deflectors have a stainless steel (and that's a good thing!) central tongue, which collects the crap which
would, otherwize, get deposited all over the trunk area.




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StillOutThere
Posted 2008-07-16 7:05 PM (#137917 - in reply to #137879)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Location: Under the X in Texas

As far as production of anything similar, you may be thinking of the car which has been called the '58 Dual Ghia.  That was the "Chrysler 400" concept done for Chrysler /Exner by Ghia which was at an auto show in New York and purchased there by Eugene Casarol (sp?) who had no follow-up model for his '56-57 Dual Ghia cars.  He was trying to maintain interest in his company so he put Dual Ghia badges on the 400 and called it "his".  That car was later purchased by and remains owned by Fred Kanter of Kanter Automotive.  It is still 100% original paint, chrome, etc.  Point is it was a one-off. 

Both the '56-57 Dual Ghias and the subsequent L6.4 models of the '61-62 era were vastly different cars from the Chrysler 400.



Edited by StillOutThere 2008-07-16 7:09 PM




(58_Dual_Ghia_400_Prototype_BY_05_MDB_0003.jpg)



(DualGhiaCoupe.jpg)



(P-GHIL6401.jpg)



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Attachments 58_Dual_Ghia_400_Prototype_BY_05_MDB_0003.jpg (125KB - 127 downloads)
Attachments DualGhiaCoupe.jpg (11KB - 107 downloads)
Attachments P-GHIL6401.jpg (34KB - 112 downloads)
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d500neil
Posted 2008-07-16 9:24 PM (#137936 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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W., isn't there at least 1-2 other "400's" in some semblance of existence? The one(s) with the 300-type grille shape?

Your pic, above has a Diablo-like front end scheme.
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Mr Fins
Posted 2008-07-16 9:44 PM (#137943 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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im not sure what this car is but i have wondered what it is for ages, i adore it! it resembles the diablo... so might be a chrysler concept car.... what ever it is its bloody gorgeous!! any thoughts? adriana



(dacialoganeg8.jpg)



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Attachments dacialoganeg8.jpg (180KB - 116 downloads)
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StillOutThere
Posted 2008-07-16 10:05 PM (#137946 - in reply to #137936)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Location: Under the X in Texas

Neil, there was only one Chrysler 400.  There was one 350 and one 375 also from Ghia.  375 attached below.  There was the 613 concept which was the basis of the 300C and had the identical production front end.  Not sure what else you might be thinking of.

Adriana, your picture is of the Chrysler 400 / '58 Dual Ghia / Kanter car.





(jpg.jpg)



(58_Dual_Ghia_400_Prototype_BY_05_MDB_0004.jpg)



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Attachments jpg.jpg (231KB - 119 downloads)
Attachments 58_Dual_Ghia_400_Prototype_BY_05_MDB_0004.jpg (155KB - 124 downloads)
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Mr Fins
Posted 2008-07-16 11:31 PM (#137953 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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so is the picture "58_Dual_Ghia_400_Prototype_BY_05_MDB_0004.jpg" the side view of the pic i posted??? so theres only one of em? its beautiful, im in love so approx how much would it be worth?? adriana
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Chrome58
Posted 2008-07-17 1:21 AM (#137972 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Never heard of that '58 Dual Ghia 400 prototype before ...
Sure is a gorgeous looking car ... I do prefer that one (and even more the Dart) over the Diablo.
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Chrycoman
Posted 2008-07-17 2:29 AM (#137979 - in reply to #137972)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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The first Dual-Ghia was based on the Dodge Firearrow show car of 1953. The rear shot of that silver car is the coupe version of that first generation Dual-Ghia. It was one of two built when the line came to an end.

Paul Farago, Dual Motors v-p, acquired the Ghia-built Dart show car, which was a retractable hardtop, changed the grille, hood, taillamps and changed the two toning. The vehicle then bacame the Dual-Ghia II, or 400. The car did not influence the 2nd generation of the Dual-Ghia, which was a new design by Exner. By this time the car was to be built in Italy by Ghia on a modified 1960 Chrysler platform. After 27 model L6.4 units were built, the operation closed down.

Now, according to other reports, the Dart had the retractable hardtop deleted and the fins shaved. The car became the Diablo and was in the collection of Paul Stern.
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Chrycoman
Posted 2008-07-17 2:59 AM (#137982 - in reply to #137979)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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My previous post regarding Paul Farago and the Dart show car was taken from an article by John F. Katz in the December, 1993, issue of Collectible Automobile, "Unknown Celebrities 1956-63 Dual-Ghia and Ghia L6.4" (page 59 to be exact).

After carefully comparing photos of the original Dart with the Diablo and the Ghia 400, I have one thing to say - Collectible Automobile blew it!

The original Dart had a very low roofline with the side windows appearing almost as slits. As well, the contour on the body sides flared out giving a slightly bulbous look. Also the door handles on the outside appear to be pushbuttons. As well, the windshield is low and had a very slight wraparound to it. The Diablo, minus the fins, has all these points.

The Ghia 400, though, appears to have a production 1960 Chrysler windshield as do the doors' quarter vents. And the door contours imitate the 1960 Plymouth / Dodge front door contours. Both the belt line and roof line appear to be higher than the Dart. And the exterior door handles of the 400 are similar to the 1960 Chrysler products.

The cars are two different vehicles and the Ghia 400 was not the Dart modified. The Diablo, though, is. So, contrary to what Collectible Automobile said, the Ghia 400 was a unique vehicle and not connected to Chrysler.

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StillOutThere
Posted 2008-07-17 7:42 AM (#137990 - in reply to #137953)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Location: Under the X in Texas

Adriana,  I'd estimate the value of the Ghia 400 at north of $500,000 today.  Probably way, way north.  Yes, your front and my 3/4 and side shots are all one and the same car.

All:  in the last 6-8 years the Dual-Ghia-400 has been out in the public at concours shows a lot more than it ever was in previous years, primarily on the East coast because of its NJ home.  Maybe it is just my perception and I'm seeing more of it because the internet is covering EVERYTHING these days??   THIS is my favorite Exner design of all concepts and production cars.

Chrycoman has the Dual Ghia story down better than I do.  The Dart Diablo left the Stern collection many years ago.   Yes, yes, the Ghia 400 may appear to the untrained eye (of Collectible Auto mag for example!) to be the same car as the Dart Diablo but is truly entirely different.  They and others were parts of the "Supersonic" styling brought to Ghia by designer Giovanni Savonuzzi when he was employed there.  Exner and GS had design ideas that complimented each other and they became close business friends.   The Supersonics are largely based around the Gilda aerodynamic study which was done under contract for Chrysler.  Gilda pic attached.   The "source" of the '60 Chrysler tail lamps is pretty apparent here in 1955, isn't it?

 





(Ghia%201955%20Streamline%20{Gilda}%20Coupe%20Sv%20B&W.jpg)



(ghia_concept_rear.jpg)



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Attachments Ghia%201955%20Streamline%20{Gilda}%20Coupe%20Sv%20B&W.jpg (54KB - 114 downloads)
Attachments ghia_concept_rear.jpg (85KB - 111 downloads)
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Mr Fins
Posted 2008-07-18 9:47 PM (#138199 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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well i best start saving then! love to have it sitting in my garage sitting next to my '61 sub! id love to see it in the flesh, bet it looks even more stunningly beautiful than in the pics! thanks for the info guys! adriana
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dukeboy
Posted 2008-07-18 10:25 PM (#138203 - in reply to #138199)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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So, it would be OK to accept that a real '55 Chrysler 300 HEMI car was sacrificed for that "Creation", but if it were done today, it would be "Sacreligious"?

Just want to be clear here........
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FinFan
Posted 2008-07-19 4:50 AM (#138219 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale


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I think it was just the running gear taken from the plant and sent to Italy, like it went with the Imperial limousines
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d500neil
Posted 2008-07-19 6:39 PM (#138279 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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Chaney: you is exactly correct; when a car be new, everything is fair game to be done to it. It's just another car, then.

30-50 years later, it's a different story.
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59CRL
Posted 2008-07-19 10:04 PM (#138312 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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Whoa!! What an ugly car..... looks like a fish coming down the street..... good thing it
didnt make it inot production....
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Rob
Posted 2008-07-19 10:41 PM (#138316 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale


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StillOutThere is correct, Kanter still owns the one-only '58 Dual Ghia. Kanter bought the car for a low price many years ago.
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-07-18 12:38 PM (#544332 - in reply to #137990)
Subject: RE: Exner's concept car going for sale



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StillOutThere - 2008-07-17 7:42 AM  They and others were parts of the "Supersonic" styling brought to Ghia by designer Giovanni Savonuzzi when he was employed there.  Exner and GS had design ideas that complimented each other and they became close business friends.   The Supersonics are largely based around the Gilda aerodynamic study which was done under contract for Chrysler.  Gilda pic attached.   The "source" of the '60 Chrysler tail lamps is pretty apparent here in 1955, isn't it?

 



Gilda video (now with turbine):

https://youtu.be/7g1uORBVUag

http://jalopnik.com/5235553/ghia-gilda-streamline-x-coupe-coolest-c...

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mstrug
Posted 2017-07-18 2:05 PM (#544337 - in reply to #137816)
Subject: Re: Exner's concept car going for sale



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video 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlCFQovKehQ&feature=youtu.be#t=11.25...
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