1954 Dodge Firearrow Concept

The Chrysler Corporation built some of the most compelling and influential concept cars of the immediate post-WWII era, with many under the auspices of styling boss Virgil Exner. Among the list were four successive Dodge Firearrows wearing hand-crafted coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, Italy.

Manufacturers resumed automobile production following World War II using pre-War designs with mild styling updates. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, new designs were emerging, with modern styling and many inspired by WWII aircraft designs and the ongoing space-race. Designers began building concepts and 'idea cars' in greater numbers as a method of testing new ideas, feasibility, and gauging public interest. The dazzling concepts penned by Exner were among the most dramatic, elegant, and daring, influencing his 'Forward Look' designs that emerged in the mid-1950s.

Chrysler had built the automotive industry's first wind tunnel and would create some truly advanced streamlined bodies during the 1930s, including the Newport Parade Phaeton and the Thunderbolt. Though the science of aerodynamics was sound, the timing of the introduction of the cars was not. The country was still gripped by the depression. Buyers would not go for the futuristic but the practical. World War II's use of aerodynamics in aviation accelerated the appeal, but the automotive industry remained staunchly conservative.

Chrysler had struck up an alliance with Fiat at the end of the war and C.B. Thomas would utilize the relationship to design some truly remarkable concepts. Thomas had spoken with Pinin Farina and it was concluded Farina and Ghia would be employed to build a custom 1950 Plymouth. Mario Boano at Ghia believed it could be made better. Therefore, Ghia would be hired to build some classic concepts for Chrysler. Desperate to change its image, Chrysler retained the services of designer Virgil Exner to define a completely new and modern design direction for the company. Among the concepts that followed were the SS, the opulent Chrysler D'Elegance, and the Adventurer. Although intriguing designs, these concepts would remain mostly one-off historical pieces.

When it became time for Exner's vision for the 'Firearrow' to emerge from the drawing board and become reality, he looked across the Atlantic, towards traditional carrozzerias such as Ghia who retained the knowledge and skill needed to build the unique designs in hand-formed sheet metal. The coachbuilding craft had faded in America and as an extra incentive, the U.S. dollar went very far in an Italy recovering from war.

Four Firearrow concepts were built with the first introduced in 1953 riding atop a 1954 Dodge chassis. It was a rolling concept display model devoid of running gear. The positive response it received from the public prompted approval to design and build an actual running prototype.

The Firearrow II Concept retained the mockup's two-place seating, frameless windshield, unbroken side flanks, and well-defined rear haunches. It was a low and sleek two-seat roadster with subtle fins and rested on a 119-inch Dodge chassis. Power was from a 241 cubic-inch 'Red Ram' Hemi V8 engine delivering 150 horsepower backed by a Gyro-Torque four-speed automatic transmission. It had quad exhaust pipes integrated into the rear fenders, quad headlamps, round taillights, chromed wire wheels, trim that stopped at the sides (rather than wrapping around the front and rear fascias as seen on the original Firearrow), and a new toothed grille treatment. Its exterior wore a light yellow paint scheme.

The Firearrow II had many designs cues that hinted at its Italian origins, yet embodied Exner's original design principles for a clean, horizontally driven design with a tasteful amount of chrome trim and ornamentation.

The Dodge Firearrow III used the Dodge Royal production car platform with stock running gear, a fully automatic Torque-Flit transmission, and a 'Red-Ram' Hemi V8 engine. It had plush leather and adjustable seats with Opal Blue bolsters and white leather inserts. It had a push-button radio and a fully functional heater/defroster. A large ashtray was positioned between the two front seats.

The Chrysler Corporation used the Firearrow III at the opening of the company's new Chelsea Proving Grounds in June of 1954 where it was driven by Betty Skelton on the brand new banked oval, setting a new world record a woman on a closed course of 143.44 miles per hour. She did this in a dress and wearing high heels. After the test runs, the car was put on the show circuit and eventually became the basis for the Firearrow IV.

The Firearrow IV had exterior door handles and a folding convertible top which were later utilized by Chrysler's various brands.

The third and fourth Firearrows were a coupe and a four-seat production-ready convertible prototype. None of the four concepts came to production although the last of Exner's Firearrow series attracted the attention of wealthy car enthusiast Eugene Casaroll, who purchased the production rights to the design and teamed with engineer Paul Fargo to create a practical road car. The result was the hugely successful and exotic Dual-Ghia built between 1956 and 1958.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2010