Dual-Ghia
Dual-Ghia is a rare American sports car produced from 1956 to 1958. It was the idea of Eugene Casaroll, who ran the Detroit-based Dual-Motors Corporation, and it came about through a collaboration with the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia. A total of 117 cars were built.
The look and concept came from the Dodge-based Firearrow/Firebomb studies designed by Luigi Segre with input from Virgil Exner. Dodge frames and drivetrains were shipped to Italy, where Ghia crafted the bodies and interiors; Dual-Motors finished the cars in the United States. The production model followed the Firebomb design but used more production-friendly parts.
Official body types were a 4-seat convertible, with one coupé prototype also built.
Specs and features
- Engine: 315 cu in (5.2 L) Dodge Hemi V8; some 1957 cars used the 361 cu in (5.9 L) D-500 dual-quad V8
- Transmission: two-speed automatic
- Layout: front-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Wheelbase: 115 in; Length: 203.5 in; Width: 79 in
Pricing and rarity
- Price at launch: about $7,500 (roughly $86,700 in 2024 dollars)
- Production: 117 cars built; 32 cars remained as of July 2006
Notable owners and appearances
- Buyers included Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, and Richard Nixon
- Desi Arnaz owned one, though it was ruined in an accident
- Dean Martin also owned a Dual-Ghia
- A Dual-Ghia once owned by musician Rick Danko sold at auction for about $350,000 in 2015
Dual-Ghia stands out as a short-lived, high-end collaboration between American builders and Italian design, creating a distinctive, collectible sports car from the 1950s.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:27 (CET).