1966 Ghia 450 SS
The 1966 Ghia 450 SS was an example of the successful collaborations between Chrysler Corporation and Ghia of Turin.
 The Ghia 450 SS was born from a suggestion to the Italian maker from a Hollywood producer. See more classic car pictures. |
During the 1950s and 1960s, Chrysler often contracted with Ghia for design and/or manufacture of its custom show cars, so it was only fitting that the famous Italian coach-builder commonly looked to Chrysler for engines to power its own creations. A well-known example was the 1956-1963 Dual-Ghia, a car coveted by movie stars in the 1950s. A lesser-known one was the 450 SS.
The history of the 450 SS begins in the spring of 1965, when noted Hollywood producer Burt Sugarman spied a Ghia-bodied Fiat on the cover of Road & Track magazine. So struck was Sugarman by the image, that he approached Ghia and managed to persuade the company to put a similar design into series production.
 The 450 SS was fitted with either a four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. |
Chosen to power the sleek convertible was Chrysler's then-new 235-horsepower, 273-cid V-8, which was offered in compact and intermediate-sized Dodges and Plymouths. It was mated to either a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed TorqueFlite automatic, and resided in a tubular frame clad with steel body panels.
Gracing the dashboard was a complete complement of gauges set in a simple flat-faced instrument panel. Finishing off the interior were leather-trimmed seats and surfaces, wood-grained console, a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, and toggle switches for the ancillary controls. A vestigial rear seat provided comfortable accommodations for none.
 Chrysler's 235-horsepower engine fueled the 450 SS. |
Also standard were power steering and brakes, a limited-slip differential, and wire wheels.
Base price when new hovered at close to $12,000 -- a lofty sum in those days -- and adding the optional air conditioning and removable hard top would push the final tally past $13,000. At those prices, the 450 SS was destined to be an exclusive item, and production was limited to about three years and 50 copies.
 Johnny Carson was this Ghia's original owner. |
The original purchaser of the Ghia featured here was TV talk-show host Johnny Carson, who gave it to his private pilot as a gift. It has since received a complete restoration, and one-time owner Gerald Quam of Santa Barbara, California, testifies that unlike some limited-production cars of its type, the 450 SS handles and drives as good as it looks.
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