1952 Chrysler Special (Ghia-bodied)
- Engine
- 5.4L OHV Hemi V8, 180 bhp
- Colour
- Light metallic green upper panels with darker metallic green roof and sill panels
The Chrysler Special (chassis 7232631) is one of only 18 limited-production coachbuilt cars created by Ghia to a Virgil Exner design, built on a standard 125.5-inch New Yorker platform with a semi-fastback four-seat body and one-piece curved windshield. Originally supplied through the Swiss Chrysler importer, the car passed through notable American ownership including celebrated restorer Fran Roxas, who carried out a comprehensive restoration, and dream-car collector Joe Bortz, who exhibited it widely over two decades. Considered a pivotal moment in Chrysler's styling history, it prefigured the company's later 'Forward Look' era.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$700,000 – US$900,000
- 1982 →Acquisition unknownFran Roxaspartial documentation
Prominent restorer who personally carried out a full restoration, choosing a two-tone metallic green livery referencing the original Paris show car's period colors.
- → 2005Private saleJoe Bortzpartial documentation
Celebrated dream-car collector who exhibited the car widely over roughly two decades; the car appeared in a 1994 magazine feature and an Exner design book during his tenure.
- 2005 →Acquisition unknownCurrent European collectorpartial documentation
Present owner maintains the car in a European collection; the prior restoration has been kept in good condition.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryNeue Amag und Automobile (Swiss Chrysler importer)partial documentation
Car was originally delivered through the Swiss Chrysler import agency; documented as remaining in Switzerland into the early 1970s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLeonard McGradypartial documentation
Owner based in Aberdeen, Maryland; acquired the car at some point after it left Switzerland.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPaul Sternpartial documentation
Well-known Chrysler collector from Manheim, Pennsylvania, who held the car before it passed to Fran Roxas.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1982RestorationFran Roxas
Full restoration personally carried out by Fran Roxas, resulting in a two-tone metallic green livery — lighter green on the upper panels and a darker shade on the roof and sill areas — inspired by the original Paris show car's period colours and closely matching this car's factory colour scheme.
The restoration was commissioned and executed by Roxas himself, a specialist known for his work on significant American automobiles.
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