1952 Chrysler Ghia Styling Special Prototype by Virgil Exner (Best in Show Winner)
The 1952 Chrysler Styling Special prototype by Ghia arriving at and leaving the 2025 San Marino Motor Classic at Lacy Park, where it won Best in Show - Post War and the Art Center Award. Displayed at the 1952 Paris Motor Show, this one-off car, chassis no. C51834214, features unique styling by Virgil Exner built on a shortened chassis with a 119-inch wheelbase. A similar car, the "Thomas Special", was later built for Chrysler export manager C. B. Thomas using a standard-length chassis and inspired the GS-1 (Ghia Special) produced in limited numbers. This car is now equipped with a Chrysler Firepower Hemi V8 engine which was likely installed in an early period. It was sold for $373,500 at the 2024 RM Sotheby's auction during Monterey Car Week and is currently part of the collection of Mark Hyman, founder of Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars in St. Louis, MO. The car was displayed at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won First in Class (Virgil Exner Early).
Those who are familiar with Virgil Exner's works will agree that this car embodies basically all of his best-known design elements. No wonder it won the Exner class at Pebble Beach and was a favorite at this event. I'm a little surprised - and disappointed - that many of Exner's most iconic cars either never passed the concept stage or led only to cars with extremely low production numbers. This car was definitely ahead of its time, yet not so wildly futuristic that it couldn't have been mass-produced with a few practical tweaks. But elements of its design can be clearly seen on numerous other cars most people are familiar with today, from the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia to the modern Chrysler 300. And that serves to show just how timeless and influential this car has proven to be. Given that most prestigious Concours events tend to favor pre-war cars, the San Marino Motor Classic's decision to have separate pre-war and post-war Best in Show winners provides an excellent opportunity for amazing cars of later decades to have a better shot at being in the spotlight. And I think it's safe to say most people weren't surprised at all that this year's trophy went to this car!
Do you think this one-off car should have spawned a mass-produced model? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!