Only two of of this car were built by Ghia of Torino, Italy. It nicely combines the exotic looks of an Italian-bodied custom automobile with powerful and reliable Cadillac running gear. This flamboyant coupe on an American premier luxury car chassis was the epitome of auto design in the early 1950s. Powered by a 5.4 L V8 that produced 210 bhp (154.56 kw) @ 4150 rpm. Rear wheel drive.
The two Ghia Cadillacs are shrouded in romantic mystery. One was apparently delivered to John Perona, owner of Manhattan’s fabled El Morocco and a longtime Ghia customer. Yet another persistent rumor places Rita Hayworth behind the wheel (bought by Prince Aly Khan). Virtually no period photographs or documentation for either car survive, other than a press photo of one, taken by Ghia in Italy. (conceptcarz.com & rmsothebys.com)
This Cadillac Series 62 Ghia Coupe, chassis# 536253053, is distinguished from its sister Ghia coupe by its front-end design, which features a unique grille with thin vertical bars finished in gold-anodized aluminum, as well as no front fender parking lights, different taillights and rear license plate holder, and two half “bumperettes” rather than a full front bumper. (rmsothebys.com)
The two Ghia Cadillacs are shrouded in romantic mystery. One was apparently delivered to John Perona, owner of Manhattan’s fabled El Morocco and a longtime Ghia customer. Yet another persistent rumor places Rita Hayworth behind the wheel (bought by Prince Aly Khan). Virtually no period photographs or documentation for either car survive, other than a press photo of one, taken by Ghia in Italy. (conceptcarz.com & rmsothebys.com)
Chassis# 536253053
This Cadillac Series 62 Ghia Coupe, chassis# 536253053, is distinguished from its sister Ghia coupe by its front-end design, which features a unique grille with thin vertical bars finished in gold-anodized aluminum, as well as no front fender parking lights, different taillights and rear license plate holder, and two half “bumperettes” rather than a full front bumper. (rmsothebys.com)
(Photos from conceptcarz.com, roadandtrack.com,
drivingline.comflickr.com & supercars.net)
Rita Hayworth with husband Prince Aly Khan c. 1950