1956 Dual-Ghia Convertible - 1 of 117 Produced. Estimate $225,000 - $275,000 . Photo by David Newhardt, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

Inspired by the Virgil Exner-designed Dodge Firebomb and Firearrow show cars of the early 1950s, the Dual-Ghia was conceived by Eugene Casaroll, founder of Automobile Shippers, Inc., in Detroit. Casaroll purchased the design and production rights to the Firearrow concept from Chrysler and then hired respected Detroit designer and racer Paul Farago to produce with Italian coachbuilder Ghia of Turin a practical grand touring convertible. Based on a conventional Dodge chassis equipped with the racy D-500 315/230 HP V-8 engine and an automatic transmission, the Dual-Ghia featured a handsome hand-formed steel body and combined extraordinary quality and performance with the practicality of an American drivetrain.

The Dual-Ghia was a hit particularly with the Hollywood set, attracting such stars as Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Eddie Fisher, Glenn Ford and Desi Arnaz. Production of these hand-assembled custom dream machines was initially planned at 150 per year, but it is believed only 117 were actually completed from 1956 through 1958. This breathtaking Dual-Ghia features brilliant Red paint with contrasting Cream leather upholstery and Beige carpeting. Its overall quality is apparent in every detail, from its chrome-plated solid brass body and interior trim, engine-turned instrument panel and centrally operated power windows to its carpeted hood and trunk lids and chromed wire wheels. Known by some as the Duesenberg of the '50s, existing Dual-Ghias such as this embody the confluence of the popular and automotive cultures that characterized that era.

Mecum Monterey 2015