1962 Ghia L 6.4 Coupe. In 1952, Chrysler, with the influence of Virgil Exner, had commissioned Ghia to help it produce experimental show cars, known today as concept cars. By 1954, Ghia and Chrysler had collaborated to build the FireArrow IV. Although basically a production-ready concept, for reasons unknown, Chrysler chose not to build the car. It so happened that a wealthy inventor by the name of Eugene Casaroll saw the concept at the New York Auto Show and was so impressed with the automobile that he purchased the design and manufacturing rights from Chrysler. He continued a collaboration with Chrysler and Ghia, and after building various prototypes in the mid to late fifties with varying degrees of success, introduced a completely different and comparatively conservative coupe -the Ghia L.6.4- at the 1960 International Auto Show in Paris. The 6.4 designation was for the 6.4 Litre, 383 cubic inch Chrysler V-8 with 325 horses that powered the car. Mr. Casaroll announced shortly thereafter that the car would go into production and would be completely built and assembled at the Carrozzeria Ghia plant in Torino, Italy and would be sold for $ 13,000, with Chrysler supplying the 383 engine, three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, torsion bar front suspension, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and air conditioning. Production would be limited to 50 units per year for the next two years.
On the inside, the Ghia's wraparound instrument panel is considered an ergonomic masterpiece and gleams with brightwork. The console mounted shift lever and power window switches are conveniently at hand to the driver. A Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel completed a thoroughbred look. Sumptous leather covered the seating and door panels to the customer's color and pattern specifications. Luggage, matching the car's leather interior could be ordered at extra cost.
The outside of the car featured sleek Italian styling, with a handsome long hood and short deck, a curved large rear glass treatment, a bisected squared oval grille, and chromed front fender vents influenced by earlier Dual-Ghia show cars. Chrome was plated brass and used tastefully and sparingly for the bumpers, grille, side air vents, flush door handles, rear tailamp housings, and for trim around the genorous glass areas.
This Italian-American hybrid was a favorite of celebrities. Owners included Frank sinatra, Dean Martin, and Debbie Reynolds. Sadly, only 26 6.4 Ghias were built and only seventeen are known to exist today.
