Dodge Firearrow II

The Dodge Firearrow II is a stunning example of 1950s concept car design, a one-off masterpiece crafted under the vision of Chrysler Corporation’s legendary design chief, Virgil Exner, and hand-built by the renowned Italian coachbuilder Ghia. During the 1950s, the American automotive industry was captivated by space age design, with elements inspired by jet aircraft such as tail fins and streamlined shapes becoming ubiquitous in both production and concept cars. The Firearrow series, including the Firearrow II, exemplified this trend, serving as a platform to explore new design ideas and concepts. Virgil Exner, who was instrumental in shaping Chrysler’s design language in the post-war years, emphasized clean, functional design, shying away from the excessive decorative elements and chrome that characterized many cars of the era. The Dodge Firearrow series, especially the Firearrow II, reflected this philosophy, with many of its design cues coming from Ghia, which embraced Exner’s principles and brought them to life in their craftsmanship. The Firearrow I debuted in 1953 as a bold, bright red roadster, instantly capturing public attention at car shows with its sleek, jet-inspired lines. However, this initial version was purely a show car—non-functional and devoid of an engine. The Firearrow II, unveiled in 1954, aimed to build on this success by becoming a fully functional concept car. It was again a two-seat roadster but featured notable design updates, including a frameless windshield, two large round headlights instead of the four smaller ones from its predecessor, round taillights, a redesigned grille, and elegant chrome wire wheels. Notably, Ghia eliminated door handles for a cleaner look, enhancing the car’s futuristic aesthetic. The Firearrow II’s paint was changed to a vibrant yellow, setting it apart visually from the original. Underneath its striking exterior, the Firearrow II was built on a Dodge chassis with a 3.02-meter wheelbase. Power came from a 3.9-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing around 150 horsepower, paired with a gyro-torque four-speed automatic transmission. While Dodge never intended the Firearrow II to be driven at high speeds—its purpose was purely to dazzle audiences—it still embodied the potential of high-performance motoring. The Firearrow II was followed by two more models: the Firearrow III, a coupé, and the Firearrow IV, another roadster that came tantalizingly close to production with practical features like door handles, exterior mirrors, and a soft top. Despite public enthusiasm, the high costs associated with production prevented Chrysler from moving forward. However, design elements from the Firearrow series influenced the Dual-Ghia, a low-production vehicle by the Dual company. Unlike many early concept cars that were destroyed, lost, or hidden away, the Firearrow II found its way into private collections and was eventually acquired by Joe Bortz in the early 1990s. Bortz undertook a meticulous restoration, preserving the car’s original details, including the light yellow paint, Nardi wood steering wheel, and Ghia logos. Today, the Firearrow II stands as a beautifully restored tribute to the era’s daring design and remains a celebrated piece of automotive history.