1953 Chrysler Special Coupe

The Special Coupe that RM Auctions will auction away at the Sporting Classics of Monaco auction.

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180 bhp, 331 cu. in. “Hemi” V8 engine, PowerFlite two-speed automatic transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 3,188 mm (125.5")

Despite the radical, short-lived Airflow of the mid-1930s, Chryslers were best known for their engineering prowess rather than styling. This was about to change. During the late 1940s, Chrysler was invited by Fiat under the auspices of the Marshall Plan to provide advice on the latest volume-manufacturing techniques to help rebuild Italy’s industrial base. There, Chrysler representatives learned first-hand about Italy’s custom coachbuilders and many useful connections were forged as a result.

Chrysler President K.T. Keller deserves much of the credit for Chrysler’s stylistic renaissance of the early 1950s. In particular, he hired Virgil Exner to design several “Idea Cars,” contracting with Ghia to build them. Exner’s resulting Italian-built dream cars were all usable and running examples, based mostly on the New Yorker chassis, with “FirePower” Hemi V8 engines.

The first product was the K-310 coupé of 1951, with the “K” a silent nod to Keller, followed by the C-200 convertible of 1952. Next came the Chrysler Special, a three-passenger coupé on a shortened chassis, which debuted at Paris in 1952 with Continental-inspired styling elements including a long hood/short deck profile, knife-edge fenders and a trapezoidal grille. The Thomas Special, built for C.B. Thomas, President of Chrysler’s export division, retained this overall styling, with a notchback profile and seating for five, based upon the standard-length New Yorker chassis.

The Thomas Special was highly acclaimed and series production was contemplated, with sales to be handled by Chrysler’s French distribution arm, Société France Motors. Over the years, these cars were known alternatively as the GS-1, the Chrysler Special and the Ghia Special. Ultimately, just six vehicles were produced for Chrysler, while Ghia built another 12 for themselves. With beautiful proportions, fully exposed wheels, minimal brightwork and powerful engines, these cars provided a stylistic benchmark that continues to inspire designers to this day.

May 1st, 2010 RM Auctions will auction away one of the 6 original cars. Société France Motors sold this example new at the 1953 Paris Motor Show to an industrialist who retained it for five years and displayed it at numerous concours events, including Deauville and Bagatelle. The next owner maintained it in virtually perfect original condition for 27 years before selling it to an enthusiastic collector of special Italian-built cars, who drove it from time to time and carefully maintained it over the next 20 years. In 2005, the current owner, who has driven the car occasionally for trips and business meetings, acquired the car.

As offered, this Chrysler Special is likely the sole unrestored example in the world, remaining remarkably original and complete down to the original spare wheel, which remains unused. It is resplendent in metallic grey with a black top, complemented by a blue leather interior, which exhibits a handsome patina of originality. Benefiting from the best mechanical care, including new brakes, hoses, ignition and a new water pump, it is mechanically excellent and a distinct pleasure to drive, at once smooth, powerful and stable. Recently, it was the subject of a feature article in the September 2008 edition of the French magazine Automobiles Classiques.