 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |
Image credits: © Chrysler.
1957 Chrysler Diablo Concept news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
| Chassis Num: 9999 796 | ||
| High bid of $1,200,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | ||
Chrysler's belief in showcasing these concept cars was to impress and to 'test the waters' to determine what features might appeal to the widest audience. The list of Chrysler concepts (also known as idea cars or teasers), up to this point in history, included the Thunderbolt, Adventurer, Falcon, and Fire Arrow.
The history of the Chrysler Diablo dates back to the mid-1950s. In 1956 it was unveiled as the Dart from Chrysler. It was fitted with a retractable hardtop coupe and showcased many of the design team's visions of a future means of transportation. After its 1956 tour was complete, it returned to Ghia where a convertible soft top replaced the original hardtop. The engine was tweaked and the suspension was improved. It returned with a new name, the Dart II, and it was shown during the 1957 season, though with limited exposure. It was painted in Italiano Red and shown at a number of European venues.
Near the close of summer in 1957, the car returned to Ghia, where it was again given updates. This time, the modifications were more significant with several significant body features re-worked. When it emerged from Ghia shops and destined for the US show circuit, the car wore the name 'Diablo.'
In the rear were well proportioned fins that were in sync with the rest of the car. It gave the sensation of an airplane meant for the ground. It was a realistic concept that was clean, smooth, and well designed that could easily have been transformed into regular production. The front featured a multi-curved windshield and an alluring grille designs. The chassis has a wheelbase size of 129-inches with a mammoth 218-inches in length. Under hood is a Hemi V8 engine with a pair of four-barrel carburetors capable of generating 375 horsepower. Mated to the engine is a Chrysler push-button operated Torque-Flite transmission.
The design was pure Virgin Exner craftsmanship with the coachwork performed by the legendary craftsman at Carrozzeria Ghia. It is an aerodynamic masterpiece that is extremely innovation and equally attractive. It was fully operation that was subjected to a number of performance and design tests under strict laboratory conditions. It was put through extensive wind tunnel testing by one of the world's leading proponents in the field of aerodynamics. Giovanni Savonuzzi, of 'supersonic' design fame, was the key individual in the aero testing of the Diablo. The tests were performed at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Ground in Michigan and the results were profound. It had the lowest coefficient of drag ever seen on any automobile. This magnificent vehicle achieved a rating of .17%, which was less than the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. cars produced by rival Italian coachbuilder Bertone at about the same time period. This accomplishment led to Chrysler promotion of the Diablo as being a 'Hydroplane on Wheels.'
When the show touring days were over, the car returned to Turin, Italy and back to Ghia's shops. Ownership transferred to Ghia who displayed the car at a number of European events and exhibitions before eventually selling it to a private owner. It returned to the United States in the mid-1960s and was carefully preserved. The next (and current) owner took possession of the car in 1988. It has been meticulously maintained and remains in fully functional condition. It still retains is power steering unit, Chrysler power brakes, power operated windows in the doors, signal seeking radio, and air conditioning. It rides on Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, wearing period correct wide whitewall tires.
In recent years, the car has been the centerpiece at the Louis Vuitton Bagatelle Concours in New York City, shown at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana, the Gilmore Museum in Michigan and many others.
In 2008, the car was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It was one of the highlights of the event and bidding reached $1,200,000 (not the highest bid or price of the auction, but very respectable none-the-less), but this was not enough to satisfy its reserve. The lot was left unsold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
| RM Auctions In Association With Sotheby's To Showcase Automotive Artistry At New York Sale | |
 | • RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby's, announces exclusive New York collector car auction, November 21 • Groundbreaking sale to celebrate the automobile as an art form and feature an elite, handpicked selection of approximately 35 significant motor cars • Early highlight: bespoke, one-off 1956 Aston Martin DB 2/4 MkII 'Supersonic' embodies wonderful concept of 'rolling sculpture' BLENHEIM, Ontario (April 30, 2013) - RM Auctions, in association with Sotheb...[Read more...] |
| EXTENSIVE CHANGES FOR THE 2013 SEASON | |
| The new Porsche 911 GT3 R based on the 997 model generation heads into the 2013 motorsport season with extensive modifications. With its widened fender flares front and rear, the successful customer sport racer, fielded in the GT3 classes, looks considerably brawnier than its predecessor. The new aerodynamics generates substantially more down force, allowing for higher cornering speeds and later braking points. The wider track and the adapted wheels provide additional improvement in traction. ...[Read more...] | |
| Gooding & Company Sells 97% at its Amelia Island Auction, Realizing more than $28 million in Sales and Five World Records | |
 | • Two Cars Sell Above the $2 Million Dollar Mark • Eight Cars Sell Above the $1 Million Dollar Mark • World record-breaking 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic benefits St. Jude Children's Hospital Gooding & Company, the acclaimed auction house celebrated for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars, is delighted to announce more than $28 million and 97% in sales for 69 out of 71 lots sold at its annual Amelia Island Auction. This year's superb compilation i...[Read more...] |
| Final Countdown Underway To South Florida's Premier Collector Car Auction | |
 | • Auctions America kicks off its 2013 auction season, March 22-24 with its highly anticipated Fort Lauderdale Collector Car Auction • Celebrating its 11th year, the multi-day auction features more than 550 quality collector cars • Latest feature attractions include an outstanding 1963 Shelby Cobra and a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS • Digital catalog now available for download at auctionsamerica.com AUBURN, Indiana (February 27, 2013) – With the final countdown underway to its highly an...[Read more...] |
| September 15 d'Plaisir Road Rallye will precede | |
 | The September 15 road rally that precedes the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance the following day has been named the d'Plaisir Road Rallye in honor of the 2012 Concours' theme 'French Curves.' It begins with lunch at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Rolling Hills, traverses the stunning views and winding roads of the Peninsula and ends at the Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes Estates with a helicopter golf ball drop and a reception honoring Concours Grand Marshals Peter and Merle Mullin...[Read more...] |
 1957
Chrysler
models |
| Chrysler 300C |
| Chrysler New Yorker | 1957 Chrysler Concepts |
| Chrysler Dart Concept |
| Similar Vehicles | |
 | 1953 Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Cadillac | Chevrolet |
| Dodge | Ford |
| GMC | Hummer |
| Jeep | Lincoln |
| Mercury | Pontiac |
| Saturn | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1957 |
| Cadillac Series 62 |
| DeSoto Fireflite |
| DeSoto Firesweep |
| Lincoln Continental Mark II |
| Lincoln Premiere |
| Mercury Turnpike Cruiser |
| Chrysler: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Chrysler |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
