1954 Chrysler-Ghia GS-1 Low-Production Car

Chrysler Corporation sponsored several Italian-style concept cars designed by Vigil Exner in the early 1950s.  They were built by Carrozzeria Ghia.  A few of these designs became low-production models built by Ghia.  Among them was today's subject, the 1954-vintage GS-1 coupe.

The GS-1s ancestry began with the Exner-designed 1952 Chrysler SS (Styling Special), pictured in the factory image below.

It was built on a shortened chassis.   Chrysler Export Division president C.B. Thomas was so taken by the design that he ordered a version based on a '53 Chrysler New Yorker chassis with a notchback, rather than a fastback design.

The car pictured above is not Thomas' but one of about a dozen other Chrysler Specials by Ghia intended for sale in Europe.  I have no information as to the designer.  Given its Eurocentric origins, I'm inclined to think that Ghia was responsible, as they were obviously capable, and probably got Chrysler Corporation's approval.

The design was modified for Ghia's 1954 Chrysler New Yorker based GS-1 (probably fewer than a dozen made).  RM Sotheby's auctioned one of the early ones.  Its web page writeup here included the following:

"Chrysler’s Export Division had two 1954 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe chassis, each with a 125.5-inch wheelbase frame, a 235-horsepower Hemi V-8, and a PowerFlite automatic transmission, and they were delivered to Ghia to be bodied with variants of the Special design.  These two cars were distinguished from other Ghia Specials by their four-passenger interiors and flat exhaust tips, and they borrowed numerous Chrysler parts throughout, including the bumpers, taillights, steering wheel, dashboard gauges, and even the sexy wire wheels, which were a dealer accessory on Grandma’s Chrysler.  These two GS-1 Specials are believed to have been used by Chrysler for its own promotional purposes on the European continent, including the Turin show of 1954."

Below are an image of the GS-1 in preparation for the 1953 Paris automobile show, along with three images of the GS-1 auctioned by RM Sotheby's.

Again, I could find no solid information as to the designer.  Note that Export Diviion provided New Yorkers to Ghia for customization. That can explain why GS-1s included stock bumpers, taillight assenblies and such.  Easy Chrysler touches without any special effort from Exner's staff in Detroit.  So once more, I'm included to favor Ghia as the design source.

Below are photos from Hyman, Ltd. of a 1953 Chrysler Special and a 1954 GS-1 that they had for sale.

Gallery

The 1953 Chrysler Special.

The 1954 GS-1.  Differences visible here include the stock bumper, the rocker panel chrome strips and the  altered fender design.  The fender sculpting is an echo of that on the 1952 Chrysler Parade Phaetons as well as that found on the 1953 Chrysler d'elegance show car built by Ghia.

Rear quarter views.

Production 1954 Chrysler items include the bumper, tail light assemblies, and a variation on the symbol on the trunk.  Note that the rear end is basically like the 1953 version, unlike the rear end picured for RM Sotherby's auction.

Finally, a semi-walkaround of a GS-1 auctioned by Bonhams.  The grille is similar to that on the RM Sotheby's car, though lacking the golden horizontal bars.  These are placed over the vertical bars as seen on the blue Hyman car above.

This shows the revised fenderline better.  As often the case, details get busy around C-pillar's location.

Borrowed 1954 Chrysler details can be found here.

Rear view of a 1954 Chrysler New Yorker (via Mecum Auctions).  The Chrysler name in script on the panel below the trunk lid seems to be the same as seen on get trunk lid of the GS-1 in the previous photo.  Other carryovers are the bumper, taillight assemblies and the V on the trunk lid.