| 1966 Ghia 450SS |
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VIN: BS 4008
The Ghia 450SS is a very recent addition and my introduction to American car mechanical components. Although the exact number is not known, best estimates are that 52 cars
were built. Of those 26 are known to exist with one confirmed destroyed. The other 25 may or may not have been built. Most of the cars were sold through a dealership in Beverly
Hill, California. All were spyders (convertibles) and used a V8 engine from a Plymouth Barracuda matted to an automatic trannny. All cars were fitted with Borrani wire wheels and
had a removable metal cover that would expose two rear seats. There were two options, a removable hard top and air conditioner; this car has both of these options. The Ghia
450SS was an expensive car. The window sticker price on this car (which I have) was $13,100; which was about the same price as a Maserati or Ferrari, and far more what would
cost to buy a Corvette.
Do to the fact that most cars were sold by Beverly Hills Ghia, it is believed that most first owners were somehow related to the Hollywood scene. The first owner of this car is
claimed to have been Johnny Carson, which then gave the car to his personal pilot. This car was sold in 1995 at a Barrett Jackson and was part of a museum in Boston. Both claim
Johnny Carson as the first owner. Still, I have learned never accept what other have claimed in the past as necessarily the truth, so some investigative work still needs to be done.
The Ghia is an interesting combination of Italian coachwork designed by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy. Maserati fans will instantly
recognize Giugiaro as the designer of the Ghibli, Bora and Merak. It is interesting to me that this car pre-dates the Ghibli spyder. Both cars had the same designer and coachbuilder,
but are actually quite different in design and character. Actually, the only item I find is very similar on both cars is the design of the hard top.
This car is a learning experience for me as it introduces me to American mechanics in a subtle way. I feel a lot more comfortable tuning four dual throat Weber carbs on a Maserati
V8 that working on this engine! Who know, maybe one day I will actually own a 1960's American car ...
The Ghia 450SS is a very recent addition and my introduction to American car mechanical components. Although the exact number is not known, best estimates are that 52 cars
were built. Of those 26 are known to exist with one confirmed destroyed. The other 25 may or may not have been built. Most of the cars were sold through a dealership in Beverly
Hill, California. All were spyders (convertibles) and used a V8 engine from a Plymouth Barracuda matted to an automatic trannny. All cars were fitted with Borrani wire wheels and
had a removable metal cover that would expose two rear seats. There were two options, a removable hard top and air conditioner; this car has both of these options. The Ghia
450SS was an expensive car. The window sticker price on this car (which I have) was $13,100; which was about the same price as a Maserati or Ferrari, and far more what would
cost to buy a Corvette.
Do to the fact that most cars were sold by Beverly Hills Ghia, it is believed that most first owners were somehow related to the Hollywood scene. The first owner of this car is
claimed to have been Johnny Carson, which then gave the car to his personal pilot. This car was sold in 1995 at a Barrett Jackson and was part of a museum in Boston. Both claim
Johnny Carson as the first owner. Still, I have learned never accept what other have claimed in the past as necessarily the truth, so some investigative work still needs to be done.
The Ghia is an interesting combination of Italian coachwork designed by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy. Maserati fans will instantly
recognize Giugiaro as the designer of the Ghibli, Bora and Merak. It is interesting to me that this car pre-dates the Ghibli spyder. Both cars had the same designer and coachbuilder,
but are actually quite different in design and character. Actually, the only item I find is very similar on both cars is the design of the hard top.
This car is a learning experience for me as it introduces me to American mechanics in a subtle way. I feel a lot more comfortable tuning four dual throat Weber carbs on a Maserati
V8 that working on this engine! Who know, maybe one day I will actually own a 1960's American car ...