1953 Chrysler Ghia Special Is Italian-American Teamwork At Its Finest

From the Hellcat engine to the Stelvio crossover, the Fiat Chrysler Alliance has yielded some enthralling results of late. But this isn't the first time Auburn Hills has been positively influenced by the Italians.

Take this very rare 1953 Chrysler Special coachbuilt by Ghia, for example. It's one of just 18 cars originally made and eight still believed to be in existence. It's won hearts, minds, and trophies alike, and it's coming up to the auction block.

The Special coupe was one of a handful of vehicles built out of a 15-year collaboration between Chrysler's Virgil Exner and Ghia's Mario Boano that also produced the Norseman, K-310, and Imperial Crown limousine. It was unveiled at the 1952 Paris Auto Salon, after which Chrysler's importer in France commissioned 18 to be built. This one was delivered to noted industrialist and gentleman racer Leon Coulibeuf, and in the years since has wowed the crowds at concours around the world.

Chassis number 7231533 will be part of Bonhams' auction at the Quail Lodge during Monterey week later this summer, where you can bet it'll fetch a suitably high price from a collector with as much taste as money.

(Photos courtesy of Bonhams/Litwinski)