1953 Chrysler D’Elegance (Ghia)

The 1953 D’Elegance featured an emblematic Euro-style design both inside and out. The interior had a cream dashboard, red-highlighted instrument panel and plush leather seats that folded forward to reveal matching hand luggage. This model inspired Chrysler’s 1998 concept car, the Chronos, and is an example of how Chrysler’s bloodlines reappear in current designs.

Meanwhile, Exner returned to close-coupled fastbacks with 1953’s Chrysler D’Elegance. This was more two-seater than three-place car, for its New Yorker wheelbase was trimmed to a tight (for the time) 115 inches.

Though clearly evolved from the first Special, the D’Elegance was busier: gunsight taillights astride a dummy decklid spare and a face much like the K-310’s, right down to a prominently peaked bumper.

Rear fenders were noticeably bulged, with leading edges dropped down from beltline level to near the rockers, where they continued to the front wheel arches as a horizontal creaseline.

If the Ghia-built D’Elegance looks familiar, it should. Though little appreciated for some years, Volkswagen acquired manufacturing rights to this design, which was then downscaled by Ghia to fit the chassis of VW’s small, 1930s-era Beetle sedan.

Germany’s Karosserie Karmann was contracted as body supplier for what was introduced in late 1954 as the VW Karmann-Ghia — a gross misnomer, as the Italian firm had nothing to do with the original styling. It was one of the few times Ex didn’t get the credit he deserved.

В 1953 г. Экснер проектирует для Chrysler знаменитое Coupe d'Elegance, послужившее своеобразным ключом и для стиля Volkswagen Karmann, выпускавшемся на платформе «жука» с 55-го по 74-й год.

Автомобиль был создан на укороченном шасси модели Сhrysler New Yorker, имел усилитель рулевого управления, электростеклоподъемники, дисковые тормоза и кожаную отделку салона, оснащался 5,8-литровым восьмицилиндровым двигателем HEMI мощностью 280 лошадиных сил, трехступенчатой автоматической коробкой передач, независимой передней подвеской и задним мостом на листовых рессорах сзади.

Впервые купе Сhrysler d'Elegance, чьей постройкой занималось ателье Ghia, было представлено в 1953 году. Позднее ателье Ghia построило 25 купе d'Elegance.