1953 Cadillac Series 62 by Ghia

Two Cadillac Series 62 models were clothed with coachwork by Ghia of Torino, Italy. Ghia was one of the finest automotive designers in Italy and Cadillac was the premier luxury car builder in America.

The 1963 Cadillac Series 62 had a 126-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 215.8 inches for the sedan and 220.8 inches for the coupe and convertible body styles. Power was from a 331 cubic-inch, overhead-valve, five main bearings, V8 engine that delivered 210 horsepower and was backed by an automatic transmission.

Although it wore Cadillac badging, its appearance was thoroughly European and the work of Ghia principal, Luigi Serge. The pair of 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible chassis were ordered through the New York distributor and given dramatic styling, with pontoon fenders curving at the front and flared into a slight tailfin, with the headlights and driving lights enclosed within round 'pods' flanking the upright radiator shell. They had a wrap-around windshield, Corvette-style 'cove,' and long chrome 'ribs' that traversed nearly the entire length of the car.

Both cars had many similarities and a few unique touches. Both had unique grilles and taillights with one having thin vertical bars finished in gold-anodized aluminum. One was devoid of front fender parking lights, a rear license plate holder, and two half 'bumperettes' (the other had a full front bumper).

One of the Ghia-bodied Series 62 was acquired by Prince Aly Khan who gave it to actress Rita Hayworth, to whom he was married briefly. The other example is believed to have been delivered to John Perona, owner of Manhattan's El Morocco and a longtime Ghia customer.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Ghia

During the mid-1950s it was still possible to order a chassis from an automobile manufacturer and have it sent to a coachbuilder for a custom body to be built and fitted. This is such a car.

The world's wealthiest man at the time, Prince Aly Khan, gave this Cadillac with Ghia coachwork as a gift to actress Rita Hayworth, to whom he was married briefly.

The car was one of two built by Ghia and nicely combines the exotic looks of an Italian-bodied custom automobile with powerful and reliable Cadillac running gear.

Other coachbuilders that created special bodies for Cadillac during the 1940s and 1950s included Pinin Farina of Italy, Saoutchik of Paris, and Coachcraft of Hollywood.

Coupe by Ghia
Chassis number: 536253053

This vehicle is one of only two Cadillac series 62 built with coachwork by Ghia of Torino, Italy. This flamboyant coupe on an American premier luxury car chassis was the epitome of auto design in the early 1950s.

Ghia coachworks established itself as one of the finest automotive designers in Torino, the hub of Italy's automotive industry. Giacinto Ghia did his apprenticeship in the earlier carriage building trade, only to later come out on top as one of the best in auto design and construction. His philosophy of producing cars in limited numbers and of very high quality is definitely shown in this work of art.

This Cadillac is the first of two custom-made cars by Ghia on the 1953 convertible Cadillac chassis, with a Series 62 5.4-lier engine. The design is attributed to Felice Boano and Luigi Serge of Carrozzeria Ghia, and it showcases European styling with a truly Italian flair. Novel features for the time include quad headlamps, split wrap-around rear window, and two-tone ribbed coves, which became extremely popular - a la Corvette in 1958.

This car was a special order by the New York dealership, and on completion, it toured the show circuit of 1953 and 1954. A strict two-seater with a particular cargo shelf in the rear, this lovely Cadillac was the epitome of grand touring in 1953 and the pride of the Blackhawk Collection for three decades.

The Harley Earl designed Cadillac Series 62 was a very large vehicle that featured a large, 6,390 cc (390 cubic inches) V-8 engine. The back had large fins that did little for performance and handling but was all about the style of the vehicle. The design of the vehicle was inspired by the space program and the era of jet engines. The large, 4400 lb car was fitted with drum brakes. These often wore out quickly. If a U-turn needed to be made, the driver would need a parking lot. The turning radius was 24 feet.

The name 'DeVille' would first be used in 1949 on the Coupe De Ville, and later on the 1956 Sedan DeVille. The 1942, 1946, and 1947 versions were similar; they were completely different from the 1941 body styles.

The car was a luxury vehicle that could carry six individuals comfortably. The car was a convertible with the top being raised and lowered automatically. The interior had electrical gauges. The headlights would turn on at dusk and were capable of switching from high beam to low beam when they sensed oncoming traffic. In total, there were eight lights on the front of the vehicle. The four on the top were the driving lights while the lights mounted on the bumper were the parking lamps. To add to the driving comfort, air suspension was used. This aided in providing a very soft ride but there was significant body roll when cornering. With the V8, it was capable of creeping to sixty in 11 seconds. This reinforced the notion that this Cadillac was built for comfort and not for speed. The drivers enjoyed the ride and they looked good cruising along, enjoying the large open road.

by Dan Vaughan