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⚫ {{redirect|Ghia|people with the surname|Ghia (surname)}}
{{Short description|Italian automobile design firm}} {{Short description|Italian automobile design firm}}
⚫ {{redirect|Ghia|people with the surname|Ghia (surname)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox company {{Infobox company
| name = Carrozzeria Ghia | name = Carrozzeria Ghia
| logo = Ghia automobile logo.svg | logo = Ghia automobile logo.svg
| logo_size = | logo_size = 200
| type = ] | type = ]
| fate = | fate =
| genre = | genre =
| foundation = {{start date and age|1916}} | foundation = {{start date and age|1916}}
| founder = ] | founder = ]
| location_city = ] | location_city = ]
| location_country = ] | location_country = Italy
| location = | location =
| locations = | locations =
| area_served = | area_served =
| key_people = ] | key_people = ]
| industry = ] | industry = ]
| products = | products =
| services = ], ] | services = ], ]
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== History == == History ==
] ]
Ghia initially made lightweight ]-bodied cars, achieving fame with the ], winning ] (1929). Between the world wars, Ghia designed special bodies for ], ], and ], one of the most famous was the ] ''Balilla'' sports coupe (1933). The factory was rebuilt at Via Tomassi Grossi, after being demolished in an air raid during ] (1943). Ghia initially made lightweight aluminium-bodied cars, achieving fame with the ], winning ] (1929). Between the world wars, Ghia designed special bodies for ], ], and ], one of the most famous was the ] ''Balilla'' sports coupe (1933). The factory was rebuilt at Via Tomassi Grossi, after being demolished in an air raid during ] (1943).
After Ghia's death (1944), the company was sold to ] and Giorgio Alberti. The ] subsidiary was established in ], ] (1948).{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} After Ghia's death (1944), the company was sold to ] and Giorgio Alberti. The ] subsidiary was established in ], Switzerland (1948).{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}


Following differences between Boano and the company's ]-born chief engineer and designer Luigi Segre, Boano left the company in 1953 and ownership passed to Segre in 1954. Under the ownership of ], between 1953 and 1957, Giovanni Savonuzzi became Direttore Tecnico Progettazione e Produzione Carrozzerie e Stile and established Ghia as the most influential proponent of that Italian styling that came to define automobile design trends worldwide.<ref name="AutoMotoruSport2010">{{cite journal| title = Nachtschicht im Schloss: A report on a concours d'elegance at Schloss Bensberg |journal = ]| volume = Heft 25 2010| pages = Seite 41 |date = 18 November 2010}}</ref> The decade between 1953 and 1963 saw many foreign firms ordering Ghia designs, such as ] (the ] ]), ] (the ]), and Volvo. Chrysler and its designer ] became a close partner for 15 years, resulting in eighteen ] Ghia Specials (1951–53), the K-310, the ], the ] (whose notable owners included ] and ]), and others. There are even a few Ghia-bodied ]s. Ghia also participated in the short-lived ] venture. Production by Ghia was always in very low numbers, giving the company's products even greater exclusivity than those of the other Italian coachbuilders.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} Following differences between Boano and the company's ]-born chief engineer and designer Luigi Segre, Boano left the company in 1953 and ownership passed to Segre in 1954. Under the ownership of ], between 1953 and 1957, Giovanni Savonuzzi became Direttore Tecnico Progettazione e Produzione Carrozzerie e Stile and established Ghia as the most influential proponent of that Italian styling that came to define automobile design trends worldwide.<ref name="AutoMotoruSport2010">{{cite journal| title = Nachtschicht im Schloss: A report on a concours d'elegance at Schloss Bensberg |journal = ]| volume = Heft 25 2010| pages = Seite 41 |date = 18 November 2010}}</ref> The decade between 1953 and 1963 saw many foreign firms ordering Ghia designs, such as ] (the ]) and Volvo. Chrysler and its designer ] became a close partner for 15 years, resulting in eighteen ] Ghia Specials (1951–53), the K-310, the ], the ] (whose notable owners included ] and ]), and others. There are even a few Ghia-bodied ]s. Ghia also participated in the short-lived ] venture. Production by Ghia was always in very low numbers, giving the company's products even greater exclusivity than those of the other Italian coachbuilders.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}


In June 1953, ], ]'s chairman, requested Carrozzeria Ghia assistance with the ].<ref name="dauphinomaniac2">{{cite web | title = D'une nécéssité aux prototypes "109"... | trans-title = From a necessity to the "109" prototypes | publisher = Dauphinomaniac | language = fr | url = http://www.dauphinomaniac.org/Histoire/Projet109.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210918131650/http://dauphinomaniac.org/Histoire/Projet109.htm | archive-date = 2021-09-18 }}</ref> In June 1953, ], ]'s chairman, requested Carrozzeria Ghia assistance with the ].<ref name="dauphinomaniac2">{{cite web | title = D'une nécéssité aux prototypes "109"... | trans-title = From a necessity to the "109" prototypes | publisher = Dauphinomaniac | language = fr | url = http://www.dauphinomaniac.org/Histoire/Projet109.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210918131650/http://dauphinomaniac.org/Histoire/Projet109.htm | archive-date = 18 September 2021 }}</ref>


In 1953, Boano left for Fiat, the factory moved to via Agostino da Montefeltro, and Luigi Segre took over. Ghia then brought in ], appointing Frua as head of ''Ghia Design'' (1957–60), designing the ]. After Segre's death in 1963, Ghia was sold to ] in 1965, who in turn sold the company in 1967 to ], owner of ]. De Tomaso never managed to run Ghia profitably and in 1970 he sold his shares to the ]. During this transition period, Ghia had partial involvement in the ], a high-performance, mid-engined car using a Ford ].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} In 1953, Boano left for Fiat, the factory moved to via Agostino da Montefeltro, and Luigi Segre took over. Ghia then brought in ], appointing Frua as head of ''Ghia Design'' (1957–60), designing the ]. After Segre's death in 1963, Ghia was sold to ] in 1965, who in turn sold the company in 1967 to ], owner of ]. De Tomaso never managed to run Ghia profitably and in 1970 he sold his shares to the ]. During this transition period, Ghia had partial involvement in the ], a high-performance, mid-engined car using a Ford ].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}


From then on, the Ghia studios were an integral part of ]'s styling operation - producing mostly concept cars although some production models were styled by the firm - the most notable being the ] in ], which was penned by Ghia's ]. Aside from this, the most publicly visible sign of Ford's ownership of Ghia has been its use of the name to denote the luxury trim level of its European models for many years (below).{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} From then on, the Ghia studios were an integral part of ]'s styling operation – producing mostly concept cars although some production models were styled by the firm – the most notable being the ] in 1976, which was penned by Ghia's ]. Aside from this, the most publicly visible sign of Ford's ownership of Ghia has been its use of the name to denote the luxury trim level of its European models for many years (below).{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}


== {{anchor|L6.4}} Ghia L6.4 == == {{anchor|L6.4}} Ghia L6.4 ==
⚫ After the Dual-Ghia project had ended, the more up-to-date Ghia L6.4 appeared in 1961. Fewer Mopar parts were used, but the car's bespoke nature meant an astronomically high price and when production ended in 1963 only 25 (or 26) cars had been built. The car's {{convert|6277|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}} Chrysler V8 has {{cvt|340|hp|kW|0}} SAE, and suspension and transmission parts were also hand-picked from Chrysler's production line. Both the front and the rear seats consist of separate buckets.<ref name=IMS662>{{cite magazine | title = Sportiga skönheter 1962 |trans-title=Sporty Beauties 1962 | pages = 22–23 | language = sv | editor-last = Björklund | editor-first = Bengt | location = Lerum, Sweden | magazine = Illustrerad Motor Sport | number = 6 | date = June 1962 }}</ref>
⚫ ]
⚫ After the Dual-Ghia project had ended, the more up-to-date Ghia L6.4 appeared in 1961. Fewer Mopar parts were used, but the car's bespoke nature meant an astronomically high price and when production ended in 1963 only 25 (or 26) cars had been built. The car's {{convert|6277|cc|CID|0|abbr=on}} Chrysler V8 has {{convert|340|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} SAE, and suspension and transmission parts were also hand-picked from Chrysler's production line. Both the front and the rear seats consist of separate buckets.<ref name=IMS662>{{cite magazine | title = Sportiga skönheter 1962 |trans-title=Sporty Beauties 1962 | pages = 22–23 | language = sv | editor-last = Björklund | editor-first = Bengt | location = Lerum, Sweden | magazine = Illustrerad Motor Sport | number = 6 | date = June 1962 }}</ref>


<gallery widths="200" heights="135">
⚫ File:Ghia L6.4 (Chrysler base) mfd 1962.jpg|1962 Ghia L6.4
File:1962 Ghia L 6,4 Coupe - black - svr.jpg|1962 Ghia L6.4
File:Ghia L 6.4 at Techno Classica, rear left.jpg|Rear view
</gallery>
{{clear}} {{clear}}

=={{anchor|G230S|450SS|450}} Ghia 450 SS== =={{anchor|G230S|450SS|450}} Ghia 450 SS==
At the ], Ghia showed the ]-based Ghia G230&nbsp;S. Unlike the Fiat 2300 Coupé, also designed and bodied by Ghia, the two-seater G230S was built on a tubular spaceframe which was designed and built by specialists Gilco. Four examples were built, two coupés and two convertibles. Ghia's owner ] had pushed for the creation of this car, but after his sudden and untimely death the G230&nbsp;S never entered production. However, in 1965 film and television producer ] saw a picture of the G230&nbsp;S on the cover of ] magazine and convinced Ghia to build another car using a similar design.<ref name="auto.howstuffworks.com">{{Cite web|url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1966-ghia-450-ss.htm|title=1966 Ghia 450 SS|access-date=2007-12-25|work=auto.howstuffworks.com|archive-date=2008-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130153515/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1966-ghia-450-ss.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the ], Ghia showed the ]-based Ghia G230&nbsp;S. Unlike the Fiat 2300 Coupé, also designed and bodied by Ghia, the two-seater G230S was built on a tubular spaceframe which was designed and built by specialists Gilco. Four examples were built, two coupés and two convertibles. Ghia's owner ] had pushed for the creation of this car, but after his sudden and untimely death the G230&nbsp;S never entered production. However, in 1965 film and television producer ] saw a picture of the G230&nbsp;S on the cover of ] magazine and convinced Ghia to build another car using a similar design.<ref name="auto.howstuffworks.com">{{Cite web|url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1966-ghia-450-ss.htm|title=1966 Ghia 450 SS|access-date=2007-12-25|work=auto.howstuffworks.com|archive-date=2008-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130153515/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1966-ghia-450-ss.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The result was the '''Ghia 450 SS''', continuing Ghia's collaboration with Chrysler by using that company's recently introduced {{convert|273|CID|L|1|adj=on}} ] with {{cvt|235|hp|kW|0}}. So many of the car's parts and systems came from the ] that the earliest cars came with a Barracuda manual with some pages crossed out.<ref name=Hag450>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/ghia-450ss-barracuda-based-italian-beauty/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201209093330/https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/ghia-450ss-barracuda-based-italian-beauty/ | archive-date = 2020-12-09 | first = Jim | last = Koscs | title = The mystery of the Ghia 450/SS, a Barracuda-based Italian beauty | date = 2018-11-05 | magazine = Hagerty | publisher = The Hagerty Group, LLC. }}</ref> The 450&nbsp;SS used the same design language as the smaller G230&nbsp;S, but its hand beaten steel panels sat on a more traditional and sturdier ladder frame. Unlike the smaller car, the 450&nbsp;SS was a 2+2 design, offering vestigial rear seat accommodation.<ref name="auto.howstuffworks.com"/> It was only built as a two-door roadster, with a standard hardtop included. Over the years, many have credited ] with this design,<ref name=Carrzz>{{cite web | url = https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/ghia-450-ss-coupe/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221026165627/https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/ghia-450-ss-coupe/ | archive-date = 2022-10-26 | title = Ghia 450 SS Coupé | work = Carrozzieri-italiani.com }}</ref> but he only left Bertone for Ghia in late 1965 - too late to have much impact on the 450&nbsp;SS, which was actually designed by ]. Giugiaro did revise the grille, front bumper, and rear before the car was presented.<ref name=Hag450/> Presented at Turin in 1966, 57 examples were built until late 1967 (with late examples registered as model year 1968), although various sources state numbers as low as 52.<ref name=Hag450/><ref name=Carrzz/> The result was the '''Ghia 450 SS''', continuing Ghia's collaboration with Chrysler by using that company's recently introduced {{convert|273|CID|L|1|adj=on}} ] with {{cvt|235|hp|kW|0}}. So many of the car's parts and systems came from the ] that the earliest cars came with a Barracuda manual with some pages crossed out.<ref name=Hag450>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/ghia-450ss-barracuda-based-italian-beauty/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201209093330/https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/ghia-450ss-barracuda-based-italian-beauty/ | archive-date = 9 December 2020 | first = Jim | last = Koscs | title = The mystery of the Ghia 450/SS, a Barracuda-based Italian beauty | date = 5 November 2018 | magazine = Hagerty | publisher = The Hagerty Group, LLC. }}</ref> The 450&nbsp;SS used the same design language as the smaller G230&nbsp;S, but its hand beaten steel panels sat on a more traditional and sturdier ladder frame. Unlike the smaller car, the 450&nbsp;SS was a 2+2 design, offering vestigial rear seat accommodation.<ref name="auto.howstuffworks.com"/> It was only built as a two-door roadster, with a standard hardtop included. Over the years, many have credited ] with this design,<ref name=Carrzz>{{cite web | url = https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/ghia-450-ss-coupe/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221026165627/https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/ghia-450-ss-coupe/ | archive-date = 26 October 2022 | title = Ghia 450 SS Coupé | work = Carrozzieri-italiani.com }}</ref> but he only left Bertone for Ghia in late 1965 – too late to have much impact on the 450&nbsp;SS, which was actually designed by ]. Giugiaro did revise the grille, front bumper, and rear before the car was presented.<ref name=Hag450/> Presented at Turin in 1966, 57 examples were built until late 1967 (with late examples registered as model year 1968), although various sources state numbers as low as 52.<ref name=Hag450/><ref name=Carrzz/>


<gallery heights=144 widths=200 > <gallery heights=144 widths=200 >
Line 69: Line 75:


== The Ghia name == == The Ghia name ==
From 1973, the Ghia name became Ford's top ] in its mainstream model range. The trend began in Europe and North America (], ], ], ], ], and later ], ], ], ], ], ] all had Ghia trim levels), but soon spread worldwide, particularly to the South American (with the Argentinian Ford Falcon and Taunus, the Brazilian ] and versions of Escort, Focus and Mondeo) and Asia Pacific markets (with the ], ] and ]). One notable exception to this convention was the Scorpio model in the ], which was essentially a rebadged Granada Mk3, slotting in above the Ghia in the model lineup. This lasted until the major facelift of 1994, when the Granada name was dropped and replaced by Scorpio for all variants, at which point the Ghia model resumed its position at the top of the range.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} From 1973, the Ghia name became Ford's top ] in its mainstream model range. The trend began in Europe and North America (], ], ], ], ], and later ], ], Sierra Sapphire, ], ], ], ] all had Ghia trim levels), but soon spread worldwide, particularly to the South American (with the Argentinian Ford Falcon and Taunus, the Brazilian ] and versions of Escort, Focus and Mondeo) and Asia Pacific markets (with the ], ] and ]). One notable exception to this convention was the Scorpio model in the United Kingdom, which was essentially a rebadged Granada Mk3, slotting in above the Ghia in the model lineup. This lasted until the major facelift of 1994, when the Granada name was dropped and replaced by Scorpio for all variants, at which point the Ghia model resumed its position at the top of the range.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}


In the British market, however, the practice of using the Ghia name in such a capacity was finally phased out in 2010. The ''Titanium'' name has instead replaced Ghia as the flagship trim level, and is now used globally across all of Ford's markets to denote the top trim level. The British ] retained the Ghia trim designation for the longest period of any model: 31 years 8 months, uninterrupted, from February 1977 to November 2008. In the rest of Europe, the Ghia trim was discontinued as well. Starting in 2013, the ] branding started being used by Ford to designate the top trim levels.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2013-09-04|title=Ford Mondeo Vignale revealed - it's back to the days of Ford Ghia|url=https://www.carsuk.net/ford-mondeo-vignale-revealed-back-days-ford-ghia/|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Cars UK|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Ghia studios has produced various ]s under the Ford banner. In the British market, however, the practice of using the Ghia name in such a capacity was finally phased out in 2010. The ''Titanium'' name has instead replaced Ghia as the flagship trim level, and is now used globally across all of Ford's markets to denote the top trim level. The British ] retained the Ghia trim designation for the longest period of any model: 31 years 8 months, uninterrupted, from February 1977 to November 2008. In the rest of Europe, the Ghia trim was discontinued as well. Starting in 2013, the ] branding started being used by Ford to designate the top trim levels.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 September 2013|title=Ford Mondeo Vignale revealed – it's back to the days of Ford Ghia|url=https://www.carsuk.net/ford-mondeo-vignale-revealed-back-days-ford-ghia/|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Cars UK|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Ghia studios has produced various ]s under the Ford banner.


== Ghia cars == == Ghia cars ==
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* 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce prototype * 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce prototype
* 1958 ] * 1958 ]
* 1961 Ghia L6.4<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626&Itemid=336 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217101526/http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626&Itemid=336 | title = Chrysler's Italianate Diversions, Part Two: the Ghia L6.4 | work = Automotive Traveler | archive-date = 2011-02-17 | first = Jim | last = Brennan | date = 2009-05-11 }}</ref> * 1961 Ghia L6.4<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626&Itemid=336 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217101526/http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626&Itemid=336 | title = Chrysler's Italianate Diversions, Part Two: the Ghia L6.4 | work = Automotive Traveler | archive-date = 17 February 2011 | first = Jim | last = Brennan | date = 11 May 2009 }}</ref>
* 1963 Ghia 1500 GT * 1963 Ghia 1500 GT
* 1963 ] (based on Fiat 2300) * 1963 ] (based on Fiat 2300)
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ] (1965–1967)
* ] * ]
* ] * ] 1958–
* ] 1970–
* Filippo Sapino * Filippo Sapino
{{div col end}} {{div col end}}


== Gallery == == Gallery ==
<gallery heights=144 widths=200 > <gallery heights="144" widths="200">
File:Karmann Ghia front.jpg|] File:1958 Volkswagen Type 14 Karmann.jpg|]
File:Fiat 500 Ghia Jolly.jpg|A rare Ghia-designed ] Jolly File:Fiat 500 Ghia Jolly.jpg|A rare Ghia-designed ] Jolly
File:Plymouth Explorer.jpg|1954 Plymouth Explorer concept car by Ghia File:1954 Plymouth Explorer Ghia Sport Coupe fvr.jpg|1954 ] concept car by Ghia
File:1954 Chrysler Ghia Special GS-1 coupe - blue - fvl.jpg|1954 Chrysler Ghia Special GS-1 coupe File:1954 Chrysler Ghia Special GS-1 coupe - blue - fvl.jpg|1954 Chrysler Ghia Special GS-1 coupe
</gallery> </gallery>


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==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}} {{Commons category}}
* on Coachbuild.com * on Coachbuild.com
* (archived) * (archived)


Latest revision as of 02:44, 3 December 2024

Italian automobile design firm "Ghia" redirects here. For people with the surname, see Ghia (surname).

Carrozzeria Ghia
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1916; 108 years ago (1916)
FounderGiacinto Ghia
HeadquartersTurin, Italy
Key peopleFelice Mario Boano
Servicesautomotive design, coachbuilding
OwnerFord Motor Company
ParentFord of Europe
SubsidiariesGhia-Aigle

Carrozzeria Ghia SpA (established 1916 in Turin) is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Marconi, 4, Turin. The company is currently owned by Ford Motor Company and focused on the European market through Ford's subsidiary in the region.

Through the years, Ghia has produced many bodies for several automobile manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, and Volkswagen.

History

Early Ghia logo of 1916

Ghia initially made lightweight aluminium-bodied cars, achieving fame with the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500, winning Mille Miglia (1929). Between the world wars, Ghia designed special bodies for Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Lancia, one of the most famous was the Fiat 508 Balilla sports coupe (1933). The factory was rebuilt at Via Tomassi Grossi, after being demolished in an air raid during World War II (1943). After Ghia's death (1944), the company was sold to Mario Boano and Giorgio Alberti. The Ghia-Aigle subsidiary was established in Aigle, Switzerland (1948).

Following differences between Boano and the company's Naples-born chief engineer and designer Luigi Segre, Boano left the company in 1953 and ownership passed to Segre in 1954. Under the ownership of Luigi Segre, between 1953 and 1957, Giovanni Savonuzzi became Direttore Tecnico Progettazione e Produzione Carrozzerie e Stile and established Ghia as the most influential proponent of that Italian styling that came to define automobile design trends worldwide. The decade between 1953 and 1963 saw many foreign firms ordering Ghia designs, such as Volkswagen (the Karmann Ghia) and Volvo. Chrysler and its designer Virgil Exner became a close partner for 15 years, resulting in eighteen Chrysler Ghia Specials (1951–53), the K-310, the Chrysler Norseman, the Imperial Crown limousines (whose notable owners included Jackie Kennedy and Nelson Rockefeller), and others. There are even a few Ghia-bodied Ferraris. Ghia also participated in the short-lived Dual-Ghia venture. Production by Ghia was always in very low numbers, giving the company's products even greater exclusivity than those of the other Italian coachbuilders.

In June 1953, Pierre Lefaucheux, Renault's chairman, requested Carrozzeria Ghia assistance with the Renault Dauphine.

In 1953, Boano left for Fiat, the factory moved to via Agostino da Montefeltro, and Luigi Segre took over. Ghia then brought in Pietro Frua, appointing Frua as head of Ghia Design (1957–60), designing the Renault Floride. After Segre's death in 1963, Ghia was sold to Ramfis Trujillo in 1965, who in turn sold the company in 1967 to Alejandro de Tomaso, owner of a rival design house. De Tomaso never managed to run Ghia profitably and in 1970 he sold his shares to the Ford Motor Company. During this transition period, Ghia had partial involvement in the De Tomaso Pantera, a high-performance, mid-engined car using a Ford V8.

From then on, the Ghia studios were an integral part of Ford of Europe's styling operation – producing mostly concept cars although some production models were styled by the firm – the most notable being the Ford Fiesta Mk1 in 1976, which was penned by Ghia's Tom Tjaarda. Aside from this, the most publicly visible sign of Ford's ownership of Ghia has been its use of the name to denote the luxury trim level of its European models for many years (below).

Ghia L6.4

After the Dual-Ghia project had ended, the more up-to-date Ghia L6.4 appeared in 1961. Fewer Mopar parts were used, but the car's bespoke nature meant an astronomically high price and when production ended in 1963 only 25 (or 26) cars had been built. The car's 6,277 cc (383 cu in) Chrysler V8 has 340 hp (254 kW) SAE, and suspension and transmission parts were also hand-picked from Chrysler's production line. Both the front and the rear seats consist of separate buckets.

  • 1962 Ghia L6.4 1962 Ghia L6.4
  • 1962 Ghia L6.4 1962 Ghia L6.4
  • Rear view Rear view

Ghia 450 SS

At the 1963 Turin Show, Ghia showed the Fiat 2300-based Ghia G230 S. Unlike the Fiat 2300 Coupé, also designed and bodied by Ghia, the two-seater G230S was built on a tubular spaceframe which was designed and built by specialists Gilco. Four examples were built, two coupés and two convertibles. Ghia's owner Luigi Segre had pushed for the creation of this car, but after his sudden and untimely death the G230 S never entered production. However, in 1965 film and television producer Burt Sugarman saw a picture of the G230 S on the cover of Road & Track magazine and convinced Ghia to build another car using a similar design.

The result was the Ghia 450 SS, continuing Ghia's collaboration with Chrysler by using that company's recently introduced 273-cubic-inch (4.5 L) "LA" V8 engine with 235 hp (175 kW). So many of the car's parts and systems came from the Plymouth Barracuda that the earliest cars came with a Barracuda manual with some pages crossed out. The 450 SS used the same design language as the smaller G230 S, but its hand beaten steel panels sat on a more traditional and sturdier ladder frame. Unlike the smaller car, the 450 SS was a 2+2 design, offering vestigial rear seat accommodation. It was only built as a two-door roadster, with a standard hardtop included. Over the years, many have credited Giorgetto Giugiaro with this design, but he only left Bertone for Ghia in late 1965 – too late to have much impact on the 450 SS, which was actually designed by Sergio Sartorelli. Giugiaro did revise the grille, front bumper, and rear before the car was presented. Presented at Turin in 1966, 57 examples were built until late 1967 (with late examples registered as model year 1968), although various sources state numbers as low as 52.

  • Ghia G 230 S based on Fiat 2300 Ghia G 230 S based on Fiat 2300
  • Ghia 450 SS hardtop Ghia 450 SS hardtop
  • Ghia 450 SS convertible Ghia 450 SS convertible

The Ghia name

From 1973, the Ghia name became Ford's top trim-level in its mainstream model range. The trend began in Europe and North America (Mustang II, Granada, Capri, Cortina, Escort, and later Fiesta, Sierra, Sierra Sapphire, Orion, Scorpio, Mondeo, Focus all had Ghia trim levels), but soon spread worldwide, particularly to the South American (with the Argentinian Ford Falcon and Taunus, the Brazilian Ford Del Rey and versions of Escort, Focus and Mondeo) and Asia Pacific markets (with the Ford Laser, Fairmont, Fairlane and Telstar). One notable exception to this convention was the Scorpio model in the United Kingdom, which was essentially a rebadged Granada Mk3, slotting in above the Ghia in the model lineup. This lasted until the major facelift of 1994, when the Granada name was dropped and replaced by Scorpio for all variants, at which point the Ghia model resumed its position at the top of the range.

In the British market, however, the practice of using the Ghia name in such a capacity was finally phased out in 2010. The Titanium name has instead replaced Ghia as the flagship trim level, and is now used globally across all of Ford's markets to denote the top trim level. The British Ford Fiesta retained the Ghia trim designation for the longest period of any model: 31 years 8 months, uninterrupted, from February 1977 to November 2008. In the rest of Europe, the Ghia trim was discontinued as well. Starting in 2013, the Vignale branding started being used by Ford to designate the top trim levels. The Ghia studios has produced various concept cars under the Ford banner.

Ghia cars

Notable designers

Gallery

References

  1. "Nachtschicht im Schloss: A report on a concours d'elegance at Schloss Bensberg". Auto Motor u. Sport. Heft 25 2010: Seite 41. 18 November 2010.
  2. "D'une nécéssité aux prototypes "109"..." [From a necessity to the "109" prototypes] (in French). Dauphinomaniac. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021.
  3. Björklund, Bengt, ed. (June 1962). "Sportiga skönheter 1962" [Sporty Beauties 1962]. Illustrerad Motor Sport (in Swedish). No. 6. Lerum, Sweden. pp. 22–23.
  4. ^ "1966 Ghia 450 SS". auto.howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2007.
  5. ^ Koscs, Jim (5 November 2018). "The mystery of the Ghia 450/SS, a Barracuda-based Italian beauty". Hagerty. The Hagerty Group, LLC. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Ghia 450 SS Coupé". Carrozzieri-italiani.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022.
  7. "Ford Mondeo Vignale revealed – it's back to the days of Ford Ghia". Cars UK. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  8. Brennan, Jim (11 May 2009). "Chrysler's Italianate Diversions, Part Two: the Ghia L6.4". Automotive Traveler. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011.

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