A Chrysler-Ghia coupe with dramatic styling and a striking cabin is heading to auction at Monterey Car Week
7 hours ago
- Chrysler worked with Ghia on several striking show cars, including the rare California coupe.
- The sleek two-door features no B-pillars and distinctively rounded body panels throughout.
- Inside are white bucket seats, a matching headliner, and color-coordinated door panels.
During the postwar boom of the 1950s and 1960s, American automakers weren’t shy about experimenting with style, and Chrysler was no exception. The company teamed up with Italian design house Carrozzeria Ghia to create a series of elegant, European-inspired concept cars and limited-run models. These collaborations were distinctive, but rarely come up for sale.
Read: Iconic Ford Probe I Ghia Concept Burned After Leaving Pebble Beach Display
That’s set to change this August during Monterey Car Week, when Mecum Auctions puts a rare 1958 Chrysler California Ghia on the block. Its sweeping, sculpted lines are a far cry from anything the current Chrysler lineup could imagine.
Chrysler began its partnership with Ghia in 1949, prompted by declining sales and a need to refresh its conservative design language. The partnership flourished, and a slew of show cars were presented over the following years, helping to change the public’s perception of the Chrysler brand.
One of the Most Striking Chrysler-Ghia Collaborations
The 1958 California Ghia stands as one of the most interesting builds from this partnership. It’s a two-door, four-seater, with an elongated body and a design that has aged surprisingly well. The front end makes an immediate impression with an oval-shaped wire grille featuring a chrome surround, accompanied by a pair of matching headlights.
Mecum Auctions
Ghia then designed flowing fenders for the car and a bulbous hood to give the California some proper Italian flair. The car also rocks a curved windshield alongside thin A-pillars. Making the design all the more unique is the fact that the car doesn’t have any B-pillars, making ingress and egress that much easier for rear-seat passengers.
Around back, the California Ghia continues the drama with pronounced rear fins and a bright chrome bumper that anchors the design. It’s unmistakably a product of its time, but still manages to look purposeful rather than excessive.
The cabin is just as special as the exterior. There are black carpets throughout, white front and rear seats with black piping, and a matching white and red headliner. The dash is simple, featuring a handful of analog gauges and a thin, two-spoke steering wheel, perfectly fitting for a car from the 1950s.
A Rare Opportunity for Collectors
Mecum hasn’t released any details on previous ownership or the car’s mileage. Still, for collectors interested in mid-century design and rare cross-Atlantic collaborations, this California Ghia offers something genuinely different.
You can check out the full listing here via Mecum Auctions.
Mecum Auctions
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