Difference between revisions of "1953 Chrysler D'Elegance Show Car"

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=== Karmann Ghia Stole D'Elegance's Design? ===
 
=== Karmann Ghia Stole D'Elegance's Design? ===
  
[[Image:Chrysler-delegance1.jpg|center|400px|Period Photo of Chrysler D'Elegance]]
+
[[Image:Karmann.jpg|center|400px|Chrysler D'Eegance vs. Karmann Ghia]]
  
 
Of course, the D’Elegance is credited with the inspiration for the Karmann Ghia, and rightfully so. Some books claim that the roof was a perfect copy, but even the most casual glance tells otherwise (KG CC and design history here). Frankly, the K-G roof is as least as different from the D’Elegance as it is from the Cisitalia. Everybody borrows, except the very few.
 
Of course, the D’Elegance is credited with the inspiration for the Karmann Ghia, and rightfully so. Some books claim that the roof was a perfect copy, but even the most casual glance tells otherwise (KG CC and design history here). Frankly, the K-G roof is as least as different from the D’Elegance as it is from the Cisitalia. Everybody borrows, except the very few.
Line 109: Line 109:
 
=== D'Elegance stole Pininfarina's Cisitalia Design? ===
 
=== D'Elegance stole Pininfarina's Cisitalia Design? ===
  
[[Image:Chrysler-delegance1.jpg|center|400px|Period Photo of Chrysler D'Elegance]]
+
[[Image:Chrysler-delegance1.jpg|center|400px|Chrysler D'Eegance vs. Pininfarina's Cistalia]]
  
 
Pininfarina’s milestone 1946 Cisitalia (CC here) was hard to ignore, and few did. It is considered perhaps the single most important car in the development of design in the post-war era, and was widely praised and copied at the time. Exner’s D’Elegance (lower) is of course much more elongated,
 
Pininfarina’s milestone 1946 Cisitalia (CC here) was hard to ignore, and few did. It is considered perhaps the single most important car in the development of design in the post-war era, and was widely praised and copied at the time. Exner’s D’Elegance (lower) is of course much more elongated,

Revision as of 01:16, 23 September 2017


Period Photo of Chrysler D'Elegance




This was the second (the first being the Chrysler K-310 of the Dream Cars Virgil Exner was responcible for at the Chrysler Corporation. The D'Elegance picked up where the K-310 had left off, sharing a similar front end. It featured a lot of items that would later appear on production cars. A dash mounted shifter would later appear on the 55s. Power Steering and Power Brakes on the 56s. Gunsight Tail lights would appear on later Imperials.

The Metallic Red sports car is said (by Exner's son) to be Exner's favorite car. It is one of the fortunate ones not to have met its fate in a crusher or a sunken ship. It was driven over 100,000 Miles by the owner who had it the longest, the car and had at least five different engine/transmission combos.

There is often confusion on if this car was a 1952 or 1953, or if there were even two different cars. The explanation is that the chassis was a 1952, while the body was considered as a 1953. As such, the car has been referred to as bth a 1952 and 1953. however there is only one.

Chrysler D'Elegance at 2011 Auction
Chrysler D'Elegance at 2011 Auction
Chrysler D'Elegance at 2011 Auction
Chrysler D'Elegance Current 354 Hemmi
Chrysler D'Elegance Dash
Chrysler D'Elegance at 2011 Auction
Chrysler D'Elegance Interior
Chrysler D'Elegance Interior

Background of The Exner Era Dream Cars

Quick History of Exner

In 1932, A 23-year-old Virgil Exner was hired by GM's Art and Color Studio, and Harley Earl immediately recognized his talent. Two years later Enxer was put in charge of the Pontiac Studio, a job he kept until 1939 when Raymond Lowry hired him to work on his studios design contract with Studebaker. A dispute between Lowry and Exner over credit for the design of the 52 Studebaker caused Exner's firing, but Studebaker picked him up for in their in-house design team.

In 1949, Chrysler President K. T. Keller hired Exner away from Studebaker for the purpose of designing cars that would improve Chrysler's stodgy image. At first worked secretly on Advance Designs. The model year designs were already locked in through 1954, so he started work on the 1955 model. At the time Keller and Exner agreed that they should step up Chrysler's showing of Dream Cars to compete with Harley Earl's Motorama shows.

Xner and Ghia

While working on his first of the Chrysler Dream Cars, the K-310, Exner and his design team was at an impasse. On a previous trip to Italy, K. T Keller commissioned both Pinin Farina and Ghia to each build a car of his loose design specs, but allowed them creativity. The purpose was to test them for quality, fit and finish. Knowing that the Exner team was having trouble with K-310, Keller invited the team to view the cars. The Ghia submission was far better than the submission from Pinin Farina, at it became the Plymouth XX-500.

This began the long relationship between Chrysler and Ghia, and more importantly - collaboration between their designers.

Designer

Virgil Exner of Chrysler's Advanced Designs Studio and Luigi Segre of Ghia

Chassis

  • 1952 Chrysler New Yorker chassis number 321953 was used. It was shortened 10 inches to 115"
  • The original 17" tires on Wire Wheels were later replaced with 15" tires becuase of availability of 17" tires
  • The car was fitted with Power Steering, some who has driven feel it to give too little road feel
  • Rear brakes were 12" drum
  • Front brakes were Ausco Lambert 12" Disc
  • Brake system Vacuum Assisted Power Brakes


Body

The body was the second built for Chrysler (the first being the Chrysler K-310) by Ghia in Turin, Italy. It was painted a bright Metallic Red, and featured the following:

  • A long hood and short nose fastback with a surprisingly long rear overhang
  • Spare tire embossment on the rear deck contained a spare mounted on a telescoping hydraulic assembly
  • Gunsight tail lights
  • Front end look similar, but refined, to the Chrysler K-310 previously build by Ghia

Interior

The black and cream leather interior has a more plain airplane cockpit look than many of the Exner Dream cars of the time. It was not as sophisticated as the exterior. Offset in front of the driver was six large gauges -- with a large speedometer on the left, a large clock on the right and fuel, amp, oil and temperature gauges in the center. The dash-mounted gearshift was to the left of the steering column, and a Chrysler push-button radio to the right. The cream colored leather seat was advertised for three (but it was strictly a 2-seater) with a hidden pull-down armrest. Black leather trimmed the dash. The Interior included a full set of matching luggage, stowed behind the seat, as the car lacked a trunk.

Drivetrain

Original

  • Engine 331ci Chrysler Hemi 2bbl with 180 Horsepower and 312 Foot-Pounds Torque
  • Transmission Chrysler's 4-Speed Semi-Automatic Fluid Torque

Later Updated

The second registered owner, after Chrysler disposed of the car in Italy to avoid tariffs was a man by the name of James Colee. He owned the car from 1955 until 1989 - driving it over 100,000 miles. During that time he installed many engine/transmission combos. They include:

  • Olds OHV V8 with Turbo HydraMatic transmission
  • Highly Modified Pontiac 389
  • Mopar 440 Magnum

The current drivetrain is a Chrysler 354 Hemi and Powerflite transmission

Who Copied Who?

Karmann Ghia Stole D'Elegance's Design?

Chrysler D'Eegance vs. Karmann Ghia

Of course, the D’Elegance is credited with the inspiration for the Karmann Ghia, and rightfully so. Some books claim that the roof was a perfect copy, but even the most casual glance tells otherwise (KG CC and design history here). Frankly, the K-G roof is as least as different from the D’Elegance as it is from the Cisitalia. Everybody borrows, except the very few.


D'Elegance stole Pininfarina's Cisitalia Design?

Chrysler D'Eegance vs. Pininfarina's Cistalia

Pininfarina’s milestone 1946 Cisitalia (CC here) was hard to ignore, and few did. It is considered perhaps the single most important car in the development of design in the post-war era, and was widely praised and copied at the time. Exner’s D’Elegance (lower) is of course much more elongated,

Car Shows

The car was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1952 and was a great success.

Just the Facts Mam

It was at the 1952 Paris car, and has been since, rumored of a limited run of 25 cars for Europe. Exner himself confirmed (at the show) that this was not the case and the D'Elegance would remain a one-off.

The rumors since may have to do with a similar looking Chrysler Dream Car called the 1952 Chrysler Special, later referred to as the. Thomas Special. Chrysler's Head of Export Sales was C. T. Thomas. He contracted with Ghia to have a pair of "Chrysler Specials" to also be shown at the same Paris Auto Show the D'Elegance debut at. It was promised that 25 would be made for Export Only Sales. That didn't come to happen, but it is said that approximately six were later built for wealthy Europeans, and they're referred to as "Thomas Specials"

Ownership

  • Chrysler Advanced Design Studio
  • Shipped back to Italy in 1955, to avoid a high tariff placed on imported cars at the time
  • Quickly sold to an American by the name of Patushian, who was a Machinist in Englewood, CA
  • Quickly sold to James Colee, who owned from 1955-1999
  • Sold to Don Williams of the Blackhawk Collection in 1989, who had it restored to current condition
  • Currently owned anonymously (bought at auction in 2011 for $946,000) and displayed at Behring Auto Museum

Magazine Articles

  • Special Interest Autos July/August 1993

Reference

  • Special Interest Auto
  • Hemmings

Internet Links


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