For sale on Car and Classic by Broad Arrow Auctions in Germany, a car I knew very little about, the quite stunning Ghia 450SS.
In 1965, Burt Sugarman (later a Hollywood film producer) came across a Fiat prototype bodied by Ghia and immediately took a liking to it. His enthusiasm and determination, combined with the coachbuilder's close relationship with Chrysler, would soon give rise to the 450 SS. Chrysler's Plymouth Barracuda Formula S drivetrains were chosen to power the new car with each semi-monocoque steel chassis receiving a 238 horsepower 273 **-in (4. 5-liter) "Commando" V8. Ghia's hand-crafted steel body rested on a tubular framework, and featured luxury sports car appointments such as leather upholstery, Torqueflite automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, and Pirelli high-speed tires fitted to Borrani wire wheels.
Hand-built and sold for around $13, 000 in 1967-twice that of a 911 S and nearly on par with a Ferrari 330 GTS-only some fifty customers indulged in the luxury of a new 450 SS at the time. Fewer than thirty are believed to have survived to this day, making them a truly rare sight, even more in Europe. Presented today in Papyrus White with Burgundy trim, this fascinating product of its emblematic era of Italian-American ambition showcases striking Ghia styling standing apart as a powerful rolling statement and a bold departure from conventional series production.
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