Autoblog

1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept dances with the devil for $1.375 million at Barrett-Jackson [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Convertible, Auctions, Videos, Chrysler, Specialty, Design/Style

It's always special when a classic concept car goes up for auction, and that was surely the case as this 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept crossed the auction block at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson event with a top bid of $1,375,000.

Designed by the famed Virgil Exner Sr. in collaboration with Italian styling house Ghia, this show car is said to have been designed in a wind tunnel after being drawn by Exner himself. Underneath the beautiful bodywork lies the chassis of a 1956 Chrysler 300, fitted with a 392-cubic-inch V8 engine with dual four-barrel carbs.

You may have a hard time telling from the live image gallery above, but this machine measures just under 21 feet long. That's classic Americana with Italian flair. Read the official auction description and watch a video of the Diablo Concept crossing the auction block below.

Continue reading 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept dances with the devil for $1.375 million at Barrett-Jackson [w/video]

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Are the best days behind the Italian carrozzeria?

Matt DeLorenzo — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Specialty, Design/Style

Museums, Not Motor Shows, Take Center Stage In 2012

Two museum exhibitions, one opening and the other just closed, that recognize a pair of leading design houses, Pininfarina and Bertone, are celebrating iconic car designs that have come from their studios. At the same time, these events underscore the uncertain future faced by the independent Italian design community at large.

Pininfarina is being commemorated in an exhibition at Museo Ferrari in Maranello, which runs through next January, while Bertone, celebrating its 100th anniversary, was the subject of a display that closed last month at the Italian National Car Museum in Turin.

These two firms, along with many others including Italdesign Giugiaro, Ghia, Zagato and Touring, were the go-to guys when manufacturers the world over needed design and engineering services to create everything from concept cars to limited production runs. But changes in the industry, including massive consolidation of brands and tough economic times, raise the question of whether these carrozzeria are relevant or not.

It wasn't always so as both the Pininfarina and Bertone museum displays testify.

Matt DeLorenzo is the former editor-in-chief of Road & Track and has covered the auto industry for 35 years, including stints at Automotive News and AutoWeek. He has authored books including VW's New Beetle, Chrysler's Modern Concept Cars, and Corvette Dynasty.

Continue reading Are the best days behind the Italian carrozzeria?

Are the best days behind the Italian carrozzeria? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2012: 1954 Desoto Adventurer II Coupe concept car sells for $1.3 million [UPDATE: w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

Of all the concept cars ever shown off to a fawning public, one of the coolest has got to be this 1954 Desoto Adventurer II Coupe. It was originally built in 1954, and it sits atop a Chrysler Imperial chassis with a body designed and built by Ghia.

It's not surprising that this Desoto Ghia concept looks so beautiful with names like Savonuzzi and Exner listed as its designers. Take special note of the sliding rear window, which allows this car to be converted into a sort of reverse convertible.

Including all fees, this concept sold for $1,430,000. Check out our live images of the 1954 Desoto Adventurer II Coupe concept at the 2012 Barrett-Jackson auction or watch a video of the auction after the jump.

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2012: 1954 Desoto Adventurer II Coupe concept car sells for $1.3 million [UPDATE: w/video]

Barrett-Jackson 2012: 1954 Desoto Adventurer II Coupe concept car sells for $1.3 million [UPDATE: w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barn Find: 1952 Ferrari 212 Ghia Cabriolet found collecting dust

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Etc., Videos, Ferrari, Specialty, Luxury

While rummaging through the wares on offer at an estate sale, Bobby Goins, a "picker" in Grand Blanc, Michigan, found the car pictured above: a 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Ghia Cabriolet. Hidden under a tarp and lots of detritus in a garage, once it was revealed Goins discovered that the car was almost completely intact. The only thing missing was the engine, and that was found in Wisconsin not long after the discovery of the car.

Without a serial number, it's difficult to place this car exactly, even though the 212 Inter was only made for three years. It came early in Ferrari's move to production cars, but was one of the most numerous models with the widest variety of bodystyles - no less than eight coachbuilders contributed designs and variations on those designs. For instance, this one has a Ghia grille used on another body, but a different hood treatment. No matter, it's been rescued from oblivion and sold to a good home: it was bought by a Ferrari collector for just $150,000.

Follow the jump to see local news footage of Goins' discovery.

Continue reading Barn Find: 1952 Ferrari 212 Ghia Cabriolet found collecting dust

Barn Find: 1952 Ferrari 212 Ghia Cabriolet found collecting dust originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make it stop: Bad landau tops

Alex Nunez — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, Ford, Humor, Design/Style

Silly landau tops - Click above image for high-res image gallery

Landau tops. Frankly, some are fine. Show us, say, a mid-to-late '70s Olds Cutlass or Lincoln Town Coupe gussied up accordingly from the factory, and we're liable to nod in approval and make one of those, "Ehh, not bad at all!" facial expressions in appreciation of the old barge. That said, most modern landau roof applications are dealer-installed, and commensurately disastrous and stupid.

My friend Scott had been telling me about two particularly egregious examples he regularly sees in his Brooklyn neighborhood. "Show me," I told him. So he remembered to tote his camera with him this week and sent me these. The Buick LeSabre isn't all that surprising, gauche though it may be. But the Ford Escort? Yeah, that's a good one. Gotta love those opera lights and the fading "Ghia" lettering, too. Will anything ever stop these people?

Your turn: What's the most terrible landau top application you've personally witnessed? We know you have stories. Share.

UPDATE: TTAC fires a salvo of its own. Fun!

Gallery: Bad Landau Tops

[Images courtesy of Scott Nyerges]

Make it stop: Bad landau tops originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Greenwich Concours d'Elegance - Day 2

Alex Nunez — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a huge Greenwich Concours Day 2 gallery

Day two of the 2007 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance was dedicated to cars built in Europe, and after a terrific Day 1, my expectations were sky high. I wasn't disappointed. The mix of cars was equally varied, including a wonderful white-tired 1905 Renault, a '48 Tatra T-87 sporting a huge fin on its sloping rear, a passel of Jaguars that included a Ghia-bodied XK140, and jaw-dropping stunners like a '37 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster and down by the harbor, a spectacular one-off 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Roadster.

More after the jump.

Gallery: Greenwich Concours d'Elegance - Day 2

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Greenwich Concours d'Elegance - Day 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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