Chrysler’s Letter Cars got a reputation as the “banker’s hot rod” due to their impressive speed combined with their size and luxurious outfitting. Starting with the C-300, which was running 300 horsepower out of a 331ci Hemi back in 1955, Chrysler’s reputation as a dowdy group behind the times with bathtub-shaped cars was quickly canned when Virgil Exner whipped up the early forms of the “Forward Look” and the engine teams made magic happen. The C-300 was a looker, too…using the nose of the Imperial, the mid-section of a New Yorker and the quarters of the lower-rent Windsor, the C-300 looked smart and all-business.

Right about this same point in time in the 1950s, Chrysler had been working with coachbuilders in Italy on concept cars and special, limited-production units. Cars like the 1952 Special, the C-200 “idea car”, the Thomas specials, and the ill-fated Norseman had come out of an agreement between Chrysler and Ghia. Using Chrysler or Plymouth underpinnings and usually with the V8 option available, Ghia would craft the bodywork that complemented the shape of the car and all would be satisfied. Then, just to interject a little more flavor to the story, you have Chrysler Antwerp and Chrysler’s Export Director, C.B. Thomas. Thomas first requested vehicles from Ghia in 1952, two copies of a coupe called the Special, built on a shortened New Yorker frame. Between 1952 and 1955, up to eighteen cars were built through the venture. Exact numbers, however, aren’t known and nobody truly knows how many are left in the world, though Mecum is claiming that were only four ST Specials built.

This bronze example is reportedly the car that appeared at the 1955 Turin Motor Show, where it caught the eye of the head of a plastics manufacturing company. The car lived in France early on in life, and was restored to the condition you see here when restoration expert Wayne Davis became the owner in 2012. The running gear is simple enough: it’s a Chrysler New Yorker underneath with the 331ci Hemi that is good for 250 horsepower, put through the two-speed PowerFlite automatic. Power steering and power brakes are also fitted. From there, move on to the body and just sit there for a moment. The lines look gorgeous, the colors dead-nuts ideal, the wire wheels spot-on, and the shape…well, that does seem familiar, doesn’t it? Kinda Karmann Ghia-ish in a way…

Mecum Auctions’ Phoenix 2019: Lot S135.1 – 1955 Chrysler Ghia ST Special