 1956 240 | 1958 400  | 1958 Convertible |
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1957 Dual Ghia Sports Car news, pictures, and information | ||
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In the early 1950's, Chrysler designer Virgil Exner had created a series of striking 'Firearrow' concept cars crafted by Italian coachbuilder Ghia. Eugene Casaroll - who owned Dual Motors Corporation - bought the rights to the Firearrow design. By 1956, Casaroll's first car, the Dual-Ghia, was in production. Casaroll built about 100 Dual-Ghias through 1958 priced at $7,646.
Perforamnce was excellent, especially in the cars powered by the high performance, Dodge Hemi D-500, a 315 cubic-inch V8. Out of the cars produced, only 32 are believed to still exist. Over 1,500 man-hours were said to have been lavished on each car before it left the factory. Reportedly, Ronald Regan owned one, which he lost in a high-stakes poker game with then-President Lyndon Johnson.
This car was originally a demonstrator for a Chrysler dealership, Sanders Motors of Long Island, NY. The Pomerantz family of Great Neck, Long Island NY, purchased it. Traded in 1962, the car was slightly used with 42,000 miles. It was driven for a short period of time and then put into storage for the next 32 years.
The current owner acquired it with 44,557 miles on the odometer, then and began a complete restoration project that has taken 12 years to complete. The 2007 Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance marked its inaugural concours debut. It was also shown at the 2008 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance.
 |  | Convertible |
The design of the original Dual Ghia was fairly conservative with single headlamps and slab-sided features, avoiding fins and other styling gimmicks. A Dodge frame and drivetrain was transported to Italy, where the bodywork was fabricated by the coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia. Performance was excellent, due to the cars being powered by the 315 cid Dodge hemispherical-head short-stroke V8 engine. Out of the 117 cars produced, 32 still exist.
Most Dual Ghias were bought by American celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden and Richard Nixon. Desi Amaz owned one, but wrecked it. Legend says that Ronald Regan owned one, but lost it in a high-stakes poker game with then-President Lyndon Johnson.
This Dual-Ghia is freshly restored and retains its original wire wheels.
 |  |  | Convertible Chassis Num: DUA12157 |
| Sold for $176,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. | |||
In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it had an estimated value of $200,000 - $300,000. It was sold for a high bid of $176,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
 |  |  | Convertible Chassis Num: 132 |
| Sold for $176,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. Sold for $181,500 at 2009 RM Auctions. High bid of $120,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
The origins of the Dual-Ghia date back to 1953. Chrysler had commissioned the Italian Carrozzeria Ghia to build several advanced show cars based on Virgil Exner's design for the Thomas Speical. Ghia produced four Dodge Firearrow Concepts that were warmly received by the public, resulting in a production version. Chrysler declined to expand on this opportunity but Eugene Casaroll negotiated for the acquiring the rights to build a car based on the design.
This 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible has a D-500 V8 engine with single four-barrel carburetor and 230 horsepower. There are four-wheel drum brakes and an independent front suspension. There is charcoal exterior, a black convertible top and period correct Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke chrome wire wheels and whitewall tires. The interior is upholstered in gray leather with matching gray carpeting.
In 2009, this Dual-Ghia Convertible was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. The lot was sold for a high bid of $176,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
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 |  |  | Convertible Chassis Num: 135 |
| Sold for $200,000 at 2011 Gooding & Company. | |||
There is a mid-1960s service record that indicated the car had covered some 32,000 miles. Currently, the car shows less than 45,000 miles. It is an unrestored car and is in good running condition. Most of the paint is believed to be the original 15 coats of lacquer.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $230,000 - $260,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $200,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
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The Dual Ghia was the idea of Eugene Casaroll, who formed Dual Motors in Detroit to build an exclusive car at the 'moderate' price of $10,000. The design was based on a Chrysler show car named the Firearrow. The cars were bought by high flyers of the day such as Frank Sinatra, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
 | Convertible |
The Dual Ghia was an instant hit, particularly with Hollywood celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford. At a time when a Cadillac convertible sold for $5,000 the Dual Ghia sold for $8,000 and the company lost money on every one!
This Dual Ghia was purchased new by a wealthy Oregon family. It was acquired from their grandchildren in the early 2000s by the current owners, who oversaw a complete restoration. It is powered by a 315 cubic-inch, 260 horsepower 'hemi' V8. It is one of only 100 Dual Ghias so equipped. The color is Calypso Coral.
 |  | Convertible Chassis Num: 134 |
| Sold for $176,000 at 2013 Gooding & Company. | ||
The car was shown at the 2008 Louisville's Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded Best in Class. The current owner acquired the car in 2010. It was shown at the May 2012 Concours d'Elegance of Texas where it won First Place in the class for American Convertible and Luxury Cars, 1946-1969.
This car has polished chrome, matching-numbers soft-top frame, metal-plated instrument panel and the tan leather upholstery with red color-matched piping. Power is from a 315 cubic-inch Dodge D-500 'Hemi' V-8 breathing through a single Carter 4-barrel carburetor offering 230 horsepower. There is a 2-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission and 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $185,000 - $225,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $176,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
Eugene Casaroll, proprietor of Automobile Shippers Incorporated, was the individual responsible for the creation of the Dual-Ghia. The design was inspired by Virgini Exner's Dodge Firearrow, later called the Firebomb, show car. When Chrysler decided not to produce the car, Casaroll purchased the original Firebomb show car. It was re-engineered for public sale by designer Paul Farago. The interior room was increased, as was the luggage space. The chassis was from Chrysler, which was sent to Turin, Italy to have Ghia create the coachwork. Ghia had created the original Firebomb body, thus were the perfect craftsman to create the production vehicle. When the bodies were assembled, they were shipped to Detroit where Dual Motors fitted the drive-train and interior trim. The first series were equipped with Chryslers D500 and D500-1 engines. The D500 displaced 315 cubic-inches and produced 230 horsepower. The D500-1 had a larger, 325 cubic-inch displacement and 260 horsepower.
Production of this series lasted from 1956 through 1958 with a total of 117 examples constructed. There were two convertibles and the rest were coupes. The cars were competitively price considering they cost less than a Cadillac Eldorado and the Lincoln Continental. Just like many new automotive upstarts, the Dual Motors Company lost money on every car.
The concept was later revived in 1961. This time it was produced entirely in Italy in hopes of reducing the cost and expenses. This series is commonly known as the L6.4 as they were powered by Chrysler's 383 cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 engine. The chassis was its own, as Chrysler now used a unitary construction method. The cars were offered in hardtop coupe form only. Casaroll doubled the price in hopes of turning a profit, or at least break even. Problems continued to escalate as overhead costs continued to soar. Production continued until 1963 with a total of 26 examples created.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
Production of this series lasted from 1956 through 1958 with a total of 117 examples constructed. There were two convertibles and the rest were coupes. The cars were competitively price considering they cost less than a Cadillac Eldorado and the Lincoln Continental. Just like many new automotive upstarts, the Dual Motors Company lost money on every car.
The concept was later revived in 1961. This time it was produced entirely in Italy in hopes of reducing the cost and expenses. This series is commonly known as the L6.4 as they were powered by Chrysler's 383 cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 engine. The chassis was its own, as Chrysler now used a unitary construction method. The cars were offered in hardtop coupe form only. Casaroll doubled the price in hopes of turning a profit, or at least break even. Problems continued to escalate as overhead costs continued to soar. Production continued until 1963 with a total of 26 examples created.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
The Dual Ghia was inspired by the Chrysler Fire-Arrow prototype and went on sale in 1956. It had been introduced at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in 1955. The body of the vehicle was built by carrozzeria Ghia, an Italian coachbuilder firm. Dual was a independent automaker based in Detroit Michigan. The name of the car, obviously, came from the forging of both companies name.
Powered by a 315 cubic-inch Dodge enter and featuring a Powerflite transmission, the vehicle cost a hefty $7600. It was produced in limited numbers with 117 examples being produced before Dual Motors went out of business. Around 32 examples exist in modern times.
It was America's first four passenger sports car and popular with American celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Richard Nixon, Desi Arnaz, Ronald Reagan, and Sterling Hayden. Reagan lost his car to Lyndon Johnson in a high-stakes poker game.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
Powered by a 315 cubic-inch Dodge enter and featuring a Powerflite transmission, the vehicle cost a hefty $7600. It was produced in limited numbers with 117 examples being produced before Dual Motors went out of business. Around 32 examples exist in modern times.
It was America's first four passenger sports car and popular with American celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Richard Nixon, Desi Arnaz, Ronald Reagan, and Sterling Hayden. Reagan lost his car to Lyndon Johnson in a high-stakes poker game.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
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| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 1954 Dodge Firearrow Concept |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1957 |
| Chevrolet Corvette SS |
| Ford Station Wagon |
| Studebaker Commander |
| Studebaker Golden Hawk |
| Studebaker Silver Hawk |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1957 |
| Imperial Crown ($7,600-$7,735) |
| Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood ($7,350-$7,590) |
Average Auction Sale: $174,143 |
| Dual Ghia: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Dual Ghia |
| L6.4 Sports Car |
| 1956 240 | 1958 400 | 1958 Convertible |
