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Makes › Ghia · Coachbuilder (carrozzeria) – bodies, not complete cars · Italy Italy

Ghia

Ghia was a Turin coachbuilder founded by Giacinto Ghia and best known for postwar styling work for Fiat, Chrysler and Volkswagen. It later had a Swiss branch at Aigle.1

Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Coupé (Ghia)
Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Coupé (Ghia)
Photo: Simon Davison from Los Gatos, United States · CC BY 2.0
10Cars bodied
0Individual chassissee each car
1914Founded

Cars with bodies by Ghia

The car itself is credited to its chassis manufacturer. Open a car to see its individual chassis.

Key facts

Founded
c. 1914 (start of World War I; other references give 1915-1916)1 Independently researched
Founder
Giacinto Ghia1 Independently researched
Headquarters
Turin, Italy (Corso Valentino from 1921; later Via Tommaso Grossi)1 Independently researched

History

Giacinto Ghia set up Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio in Turin around the start of World War I, with Giovanni Gariglio as partner. The partner changed to Actis in 1923, and after Actis left in 1926 the firm became Carrozzeria Ghia. A 1943 air raid almost completely destroyed the factory, and Giacinto Ghia died on 21 February 1944. Felice Mario Boano led the firm in the late 1940s, and in the early 1950s Luigi Segre became sole owner. The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was launched in 1955.

1

Milestones

  1. 1926
    The firm took the name Carrozzeria Ghia after Actis left.1
  2. 1944
    Giacinto Ghia died on 21 February, after a 1943 air raid had almost destroyed his factory.1
  3. 1955
    The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia was launched.1

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Ghia, part 1 Level C Carrozzieri Italiani
    • Actis left in 1926; company became Carrozzeria Ghia
    • died February 21, 1944
    • 1955: Volkswagen Karmann Ghia launched
    • Giacinto Ghia "set up Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio at the beginning of World War I"
    • Giacinto Ghia set up Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio
    • Corso Valentino 4 from 1921; Via Tommaso Grossi later headquarters
    • founding, partners Gariglio and Actis, Turin addresses, death of Giacinto Ghia, Segre, Karmann Ghia
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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