1952 Chrysler D'Elegance (Ghia-bodied show car)
- Engine
- 354 cu in Hemi V8 (1956-vintage, replacement unit)
- Colour
- Ruby red metallic
The 1952 Chrysler D'Elegance is a one-off coachbuilt show car constructed by Ghia of Turin on a shortened New Yorker chassis, designed through the celebrated partnership between Chrysler design chief Virgil Exner and Ghia. Widely regarded as Exner's most influential prototype, its styling directly informed the Chrysler 300 Letter Cars, the 1955 Imperial, and — scaled down by Giovanni Savonuzzi — the Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia. The car carries a later 354 Hemi V-8 and has been restored to concours specification.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$885,000
- → 1987Acquisition unknownBrother-in-law of a Chrysler executivepartial documentation
Received the car following its show circuit career; at some point replaced the original engine with a 1956-era 354 Hemi V-8 during his ownership.
- 1987 → 1999Acquisition unknownBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Car was displayed as part of the collection's museum exhibits for approximately twelve years.
- 1999 →Acquisition unknownCharles Cawleypartial documentation
Acquired from the Blackhawk Collection; tenure was brief before the car passed to the next owner.
- → 2011Acquisition unknownRon Prattepartial documentation
Held the car in his personal collection prior to its 2011 sale.
- 2011 →Private saleCurrent collectors (consignors)partial documentation
Well-regarded collectors who had the car's restoration refreshed to contemporary concours standards and entered it in events.
- Date unknownPrivate saleGordon Apkerpartial documentation
Had admired the car since childhood; later described its earlier ownership history to automotive author Stuart Leuthner.
Competition
- —Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceFirst in class — Chrysler Concepts special category
Car competed after its restoration was brought to a modern concours level; took top honors among concept vehicles from Chrysler.
- —Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima Run
Car was driven through Alpine roads on the route linking Monaco and Venice as a participating entry in this touring event.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
The original engine was replaced with a 354 cubic-inch Hemi V-8 dating from 1956, yielding approximately 100 additional horsepower over the unit the car left the factory with.
Carried out by the first private owner at some point before 1987.
- —Restoration
An existing restoration was substantially refreshed and brought up to modern concours specification in preparation for competitive showing.
Commissioned by the current owners after their 2011 acquisition.
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