1957 Dual Ghia Sports Car Convertible

This Dual Ghia was sold in 1976 to Don Ryburn of Reno, Nevada. At the time it was advertised as a one-owner example. Six years later, the car found its third owner, a Mr. Bill Pearce of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Pearce had already purchased a second Dual-Ghia for the purpose of a restoration. After a gradual 10-year restoration, the work was complete. The car was painted in candy apple red and fitted with turbine-style wheels mounted with whitewall tires.

The car was shown at the 2008 Louisville 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 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 the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013