1963 Ghia 1500 GT | Manual | 1.5L | 35k Miles
Carrozzeria Ghia was founded by Giacinto Ghia in Turin in 1919, soon establishing a reputation not just for luxury coachwork but also for bodying competition cars, achieving fame with the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500, winning Mille Miglia in 1929. After WW2, the company gave the world the futuristic bodies of Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Fiat 8V chassis in the Fifties; and, under de Tomaso's ownership in the Sixties, styled the Mangusta and the Pantera. However, the FIAT Ghia 1500 GT (later renamed Ghia 1500 GT), was Ghia's own idea, designed by Sergio Sartorelli and built upon sturdy Fiat underpinnings. This nicely proportioned fastback was a hand-built grand tourer with extremely limited production. Ghia only produced 846 of these handsome cars with only about 35 shipped to the U.S. market.
SPECS
Production: 1963
VIN: 1160384668
Designer: Ghia Carrozzeria
Powertrain
Engine: Fiat OHV I-4; 1,481-cc (90.4-cu.in.)
Horsepower: 67 @ 5,200 rpm
Torque: 87 @ 3,200 rpm
Transmission: Four-speed manual
Transaxle Number: 0784
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 92.1 in
Length: 164.2 in
Weight: 2,160 lb
This particular car was in the care of the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, and proudly displayed in its Classic Car collection. While under the possession of the Blackhawk Museum, the body was repainted in the 70’s. In 1990, the car was acquired by its second owner and kept in its original state, aging gracefully in his private collection throughout the years. The original listing on Sotheby’s auction page from the second owner stated, “the car is in older condition, with numerous bubbles, cracks, and flaws visible in the paint and some rust visible on the sills and undercarriage.” However, this was just what third owner, Joe Tseng was looking for.
On September 25, 2020, Tseng purchased the car to give it the life it was born for. His intention was to ship the pre-1974 era classic car to Japan solely for rallying.
The GT showes Ghia's careful attention to detail, from the chromed ring around its grille that doubled as a bumper to its Kamm tail and upturned rear bumper. The fastback coupé was built on a sheet steel box-section and tubular frame. The wheelbase was reduced to 92.1 inches, and the four-cylinder engine and gearbox were moved rearward, resulting in an even 50/50 distribution of weight. As its designation suggests, Ghia's 1500 was intended to be an exclusive Gran Turismo, affording its occupants comfortable seating on contoured sports seats. Staggered dual cooling vents behind the front wheels gave an impression of speed, while the relatively tall windshield allowed enough interior space and excellent all-round visibility. In the cabin, the black leather upholstery is in excellent condition, with no damage or discoloration, and only slight signs of use. The door panels, carpets and mats are also appropriately worn, but not at all aged. The instrument gauges, switches, and other main controls are all in perfect working order and no cracks are visible in the headliner.
In order to get the Ghia 1500 rally ready once again, Tseng had an automotive repair shop, Alfa Italia in Burbank, California give it a full inspection and make sure the mechanical integrity of the car was fully maintained. In a turn of events, Tseng decided to rally another car instead, Carrozzeria Bertone's Alfa Sprint Speciale. Although this Ghia did not meet the rally after all, mechanically, it has come back to its youthful self, by 1963’s standards. The Ghia 1500 GT is both a drivers car, as well as a connoisseur’s. It is estimated that some 70 survive worldwide in the present day.
GALLERY
