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1955 Ghia Streamline X Concept Navigation
The 1955 Ghia Gilda Coupe Concept was built for the 1955 Turin Motor Show in Italy. It was a styling exercise designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi (an individual formerly with Cisitalia) and was commissioned by Chrysler design chief Virgil Exner, who wished to explore solutions for crosswind resistance and rear-end grip, as well as turbine power. It was powered by an OSCA engine that displaced 1491cc and was claimed to have a top speed of 140 mph. It has aluminum coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia and rests atop a square tube chassis. It has a separate aluminum floor for the passenger compartment and a full belly pan for aerodynamic efficiency. Inside, there are short armrests that also serve as side bolsters to hold the driver and passenger in place during cornering. The dashboard consists of two main instruments which float beneath a binnacle placed on a simple piece of bodywork sweeping from door to door.
During the European marketing campaign for the 1946 film noir classic 'Gilda,' actress Rita Hayworth was given the nickname 'La Vedette Atomique,' or 'the Atomic Starlet' for her sleek lines and dangerous appeal. Ghia SPA gave their sleek, aerodynamic, jet-powered futuristic vehicle the same name after the iconic role played by Hayworth.
The car was put on the European show circuit. After its tour, it was given to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It was shipped to America in October 1955. The car was in the Ford Museum until 1969 when it entered the Harrah collection. In 1985, it became part of the Blackhawk Museum. It has been in its current ownership since 2005.
Its importance was derived from the studies of aerodynamics through wind tunnel tests conducted at the Turin Polytechnic and it had a decisive influence on the evolution of the styling of American cars in that period.
In its current ownership, the car received a lightweight, compact single-stage AiResearch turbine which it was originally designed to receive. Using computer and wind tunnel modeling, it has been determined that the 70-horsepower turbine would be capable of propelling the car up to 160mph.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2017
During the European marketing campaign for the 1946 film noir classic 'Gilda,' actress Rita Hayworth was given the nickname 'La Vedette Atomique,' or 'the Atomic Starlet' for her sleek lines and dangerous appeal. Ghia SPA gave their sleek, aerodynamic, jet-powered futuristic vehicle the same name after the iconic role played by Hayworth.
The car was put on the European show circuit. After its tour, it was given to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It was shipped to America in October 1955. The car was in the Ford Museum until 1969 when it entered the Harrah collection. In 1985, it became part of the Blackhawk Museum. It has been in its current ownership since 2005.
Its importance was derived from the studies of aerodynamics through wind tunnel tests conducted at the Turin Polytechnic and it had a decisive influence on the evolution of the styling of American cars in that period.
In its current ownership, the car received a lightweight, compact single-stage AiResearch turbine which it was originally designed to receive. Using computer and wind tunnel modeling, it has been determined that the 70-horsepower turbine would be capable of propelling the car up to 160mph.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2017
2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale
Lot was not sold
2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,300,000
Lot was not sold
Recent Sales of the Ghia Streamline X Concept
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
Ghia Streamline X Concepts That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Ghia Streamline X Concept's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 CHRYSLER GHIA STREAMLINE X GILDA | 9967 | 2017 BarrettJackson : Scottsdale | |||
| 1955 Ghia Streamline X Gilda | 9967 | 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 |
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1955 Ghia Streamline X Concept
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