1958 Dual Ghia Convertible news, pictures, and information

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Coachwork: Ghia
Chassis Num: 128
Engine Num: 7715

This car is chassis number 128 and has a body painted in yellow with a matching tan top and camel-colored interior. In 2007 it was brought to the Bonhams Auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, held at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California. The lot was sold for $175,000 plus premium and tax.

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Coachwork: Ghia
Chassis Num: DG191

The Dual Motors Company, founded by Eugene Casaroll, used a Dodge chassis as the platform for their Convertible and sent the rolling chassis to the Ghia factory in Italy for fitment with custom built Ghia coachwork. Upon completion, they were shipped back to the Dual Motors factory in Detroit, Michigan where they were fitted with the D-500 engine and the rest of the running gear. Most of the vehicles were produced in 1957 and 1958, though production began in 1956. There were very few changes throughout that period of time. It is unclear exactly how many were produced, though it is believed that around 100 cars were built during the first production run of 1956 through 1958.

This example is chassis number 191 and is painted in its factory color of Eggplant. It has been given a full restoration and remains in excellent condition in modern times. Its early history is not known; the first recorded owner was Mrs. Grace Danko of Woodstock, New York. It was later sold to Peter Balis of Baliston Lake, New York. The next owner was Mr. Wayne Huie in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Huie kept the car for many years before selling to a Canadian (the current owner).

This car is fitted with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels and sporty twin rear antennas. The interior is burgundy/cream with leather seats. It is powered by its original 315 cubic-inch V-8 Hemispherical engine and mated to an automatic transmission. The power convertible top is in good overall and workable condition. Other convenience features include power steering, power windows, and power brakes.

In 2008, the car was brought to the Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by the Worldwide Auctioneers. It was estimated to sell for $325,000 - $375,000. Bidding failed to reach those estimates, though a high bid of $319,000 including buyer's premium was enough to satisfy the cars reserve. The lot was sold.

In 2009, this Dual-Ghia Convertible was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. It was expected to sell for $225,000 - $300,000. It sold for a high bid of $209,000, including buyer's premium.

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.

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.

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