Makes › Chrysler › Falcon (1955 concept) · Prototype · 1954–1956
Chrysler
Falcon (1955 concept)
Chrysler/Ghia show concept of 1955; lead says as many as three cars were built, not confirmed in the cached pages.
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1954–1956
- Engine
- Chrysler Hemi · 5,420 cc / 5.4 LFactory: 331 cu in · converted
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Virgil Exner (concept); bodies built by Ghia
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 1 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Falcon was one of Virgil Exner's Forward Look show cars: a two-seat sports roadster meant to compete with the Corvette and Thunderbird. Chrysler did not put it into production, so the one surviving example is the main physical record of the project.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionFalcon cars known to survive (one car) | 11,2 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Virgil Exner conceived the Falcon between 1952 and 1953, and Ghia built the prototype bodies. It was completed in 1954 as a 1955-56 show car and was shown at car shows in 1955 and 1956.
Differences between Chrysler's design and engineering departments negated a production run. A 1954 Ghia letter listed three prototypes, but only two can be confirmed by photographs. Hemmings reports that at least two were built, with a possible third.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Falcon (1955 concept).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Chrysler Hemi2 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) - not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 5,420 cc / 5.4 LFactory: 331 cu in · converted2 Independently researchedThe surviving car has its original 331 Hemi (S2). Some period literature claims a 276 Hemi (S2). From an enthusiast source (level D) - not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | PowerFlite automatic2 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) - not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Power brakes2 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) - not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mmFactory: 105 in · converted2 Independently researchedThe source shows 105 with a garbled inch mark; read as inches. From an enthusiast source (level D) - not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Lost & Found: Ferreting Out the Falcon Level C Daniel Strohl · Hemmings Classic Car
- only one of the cars still exists (paraphrase)
-
2
1955 Chrysler Falcon Level D Marshall Foxworthy · MoparStyle Racing Ltd
- the one extant Falcon
- were Hemi powered
- The only known example has its original 331 Hemi.
- Power Flite automatic transmission
- power brakes, power windows and bucket seats
- Prototype cars built with a 105-inch wheelbase (paraphrase; inch mark garbled in source)
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