Makes › Dual Motors › Dual-Ghia Convertible · Coachbuilt · 1956–1958 Extremely Rare
Dual Motors
Dual-Ghia Convertible
Dodge chassis and V8 running gear shipped to Turin and bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia; Hollywood/Rat Pack clientele
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 100 Built
- Years
- 1956–1958
- Engine
- V8, overhead valve (Dodge D-500) · 5,160 cc / 5.2 LFactory: 315 cu in · converted
- Power
- 172 kW / 233 PSFactory: 230 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Ghia
- Designer
- Ghia (Turin), on the Virgil Exner-designed Dodge Firearrow and Firebomb concept
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 32 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Dual-Ghia was a hand-finished convertible built by Dual Motors of Detroit with Ghia bodywork from Turin and a Dodge V8. It was a 1950s status symbol: its founder is said to have hand-picked his customers.
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 production"purported 32" examples known to exist, per the Mecum lot description | 322 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productionapproximate – 'as few as 100' convertibles per experts (other sources up to 117) | 1001 | Factory production | 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
When Chrysler decided against producing its Dodge Firearrow show cars, trucking businessman Eugene Casaroll bought the rights to the design. By 1957 his company, named after its earlier twin-engine trucks, produced a modified version as the Dual-Ghia, with Ghia coachwork from Turin and Dodge V8 power. The cars were made between 1956 and 1958; RM Sotheby's says about 100, Mecum 117, and all except two prototype coupés were convertibles.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Dual-Ghia Convertible.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Dodge3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Dodge D-500 "Red Ram" OHV V-83 Independently researched |
| Engine code | D500 3154 Independently researchedMecum describes the engine as a Hemi with 260 hp; RM Sotheby's lists 230 hp for the Red Ram 315 cu in. The page already holds a power value; the sources disagree. |
| Layout | V8, overhead valve (Dodge D-500)5 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 5,160 cc / 5.2 LFactory: 315 cu in · converted5 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Carter four-barrel carburettor5 Independently researched |
| Power | 172 kW / 233 PSFactory: 230 hp · converted5 Independently researchedMecum quotes "315/260 HP" for a restored car with a D500 Hemi engine, so the sources disagree on output and engine name. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Two-speed Chrysler Powerflite automatic5 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 25 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Independent, unequal-length A-arms and coil springs5 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs5 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Four-wheel hydraulic drums5 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,920 mmFactory: 115 in · converted5 Independently researched |
| 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.
Most cars have tailfins; a handful of late cars were built without them, including chassis 191 offered by RM Sotheby's. Original details listed by Mecum include Ghia badges made by Franco Ragni in Turin, 21-vane hubcaps with spinners, diamond-pattern hood insulators and an engine-turned instrument bezel.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's Monterey 2024, lot 33, 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible Level B
- 100 approximate – 'as few as 100' convertibles per experts (other sources up to 117)
-
2
1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible Level C Mecum Auctions
- one of a purported 32 examples known to exist today
-
3
1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible | Arizona 2015 Level C RM Sotheby's
- reliable Motor City-bred Dodge V-8 power
- Dodge D-500 "Red Ram" OHV V-8 engine with a Carter four-barrel
-
4
1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible For Sale At Auction Level C Mecum Auctions
- Dodge D500 Hemi 315/260 HP engine with correct stamping
-
5
1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible (Arizona 2015, lot 134) Level C RM Sotheby's
- 315 cu. in. Dodge D-500 "Red Ram" OHV V-8 engine
- 315 cu. in. Dodge D-500
- Carter four-barrel carburetor
- 230 hp, 315 cu. in. Dodge D-500
- two-speed Chrysler Powerflite automatic transmission
- two-speed Chrysler Powerflite
- independent front suspension with unequal length A-arms and coil springs
- live rear axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs
- four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
- Wheelbase: 115 in.
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