Captivating Beauty: Ghia's 1955 Chrysler Falcon Concept

Rare ONES - The allure of 1950s cars continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts today. These vintage beauties exude a timeless charm, thanks in part to the meticulous care bestowed upon them by knowledgeable owners.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept designed by Virgil Exner and built in collaboration between Chrysler and Ghia. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

The narrative of one such captivating vehicle unfolds with the entry of Virgil Exner into Chrysler's Advanced Design Studio in 1949, after his tenure at Studebaker. This pivotal move birthed the Chrysler Falcon, a collaborative masterpiece between Chrysler and Ghia, the renowned Italian coachwork company.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept has similar in size to both its rivals of the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

The Falcon emerged as a prototype two-seater roadster-style concept car envisioned for Chrysler's 1955 lineup. While it never transitioned to mass production, its innovative design elements found their way into subsequent Chrysler models, leaving an indelible mark on automotive history.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept is equipped with a 276 cubic-inch OHV V8 engine, which can produce up to 170 hp (127 kW) of power and 346 Nm (255 lbs-ft) of torque. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Among the Falcon's groundbreaking features was its open-sided exhaust pipe design, a futuristic touch that foreshadowed trends not realized until decades later, notably in the 1992 Dodge Viper.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept's interior featured a split bench style seat finished in burgundy leather, with a floor mounted shifter for the two-speed PowerFlite transmission and a Nardi wooden steering wheel. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Originally intended as the moniker for Plymouth's new Valiant model, the name 'Falcon' was preempted by Ford Motor Company's release of the Ford Falcon, following a formal request by Henry Ford II.

The open-sided exhaust system is one of advanced features pinned on the Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Positioned as a contender against the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, the Chrysler Falcon boasted a 276 cubic-inch OHV V8 engine generating power of 170 hp (127 kW) and 346 Nm (255 lbs-ft) of torque, paired with a two-speed automatic transmission. Performance-wise, the Falcon reached a top speed of approximately 115 mph, accomplishing the zero-to-sixty sprint in about 10 seconds—a commendable feat for its era.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept is equipped by many of the design and styling elements would later be seen in various other Chrysler vehicles. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Inside, the Falcon's interior showcased a split bench-style seat swathed in luxurious burgundy leather, complemented by a floor-mounted shifter for the PowerFlite transmission and an elegant Nardi wooden steering wheel.

1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Falcon Concept was meant to be a competitor to the Ford Thunderbird and the Chevrolet Corvette. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

While initially believed to have only one prototype in existence, it was later revealed that Ghia had crafted three Falcon prototypes. One resides in the Chrysler Museum, another found a home with a collector in the US, and the third embarked on a journey to Venezuela before returning stateside.

The legacy of the Chrysler Falcon endures as a testament to automotive innovation and timeless design, captivating enthusiasts with its enduring beauty and historical significance. *** [EKA [28112024] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ.COM ]

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