Ghia 1500 GT Avenger

The Ghia 1500 GT Spider: During the 1930s, Ghia became the pioneering Italian coachbuilder to venture into the production of limited edition special models. One of their notable creations was the Ghia 1500 GT coupé, which made its debut in 1962 at the Turin Motor Show. Carrozzeria Ghia, who held a 50% stake in the Osi production factory, operated two assembly lines for manufacturing the cars and a separate line dedicated to painting. All the mechanical components, including the 1500cc engine, were sourced from Fiat for this particular model. The chassis, designed by Gilberto Colombo, was manufactured by Gilco, the same company that collaborated with Ferrari. The body of the car was meticulously engineered at the Turin wind tunnel. The design of the Ghia 1500 GT coupé was the brainchild of Sergio Sartorelli, with assistance from Sapino. It drew inspiration from the asymmetrical models of the Virgil Exner era, such as the Chrysler St Regis, which was also designed by Sartorelli and featured a distinctive Grill/Bumper style. Following the unfortunate passing of Segre, the director, a refined convertible version called the Ghia 450 SS, equipped with a Chrysler V8 engine and restyled by Giugiaro, became available. Subsequently, Sartorelli left the factory. This Spider version of the Ghia 1500 GT, known as the “Avenger”, showcases a unique “barchetta” body style, as stated in the registration document. With a mileage of 70,000 km, this vehicle remains remarkably authentic. It was purchased from France Motors, located at 166 Avenue de Neuilly in Neuilly sur Seine, the renowned French Ghia representative since the 1950s. This dealership was responsible for delivering and showcasing numerous exceptional Ghia models at the prestigious Paris Motor Show.