Ghia

Introduce

Est. 1916

Carrozzeria Ghia has a storied history as a pioneer in automotive design, known for creating some of the most iconic Ghia cars in the industry. Founded in 1916, Ghia began by producing lightweight aluminum bodies for Italian marques like the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 andFiat 508 Balilla. These early Ghia cars, crafted in limited numbers, gained recognition for their performance in prestigious races like the Mille Miglia.

During World War II, the Ghia factory was destroyed in 1943. Giacinto Ghia oversaw the reconstruction but passed away in 1944. Under new leadership by Felice Mario Boano and Giorgio Alberti, Ghia expanded its influence by collaborating with Italian and international automakers. This era marked the creation of numerous exclusive Ghia cars, including custom-built prototypes and small series production models.

From 1950 to 1956, Ghia contributed to Ferrari’s bodywork designs. However, its partnerships with American giants like Ford and Chrysler propelled Ghia to global fame. The collaboration with Chrysler and designer Virgil Exner produced many unique models, including the Crown Imperial and the iconic Lincoln Futura, which later became the Batmobile. Another significant design, the ultra-luxury Norseman, was tragically lost during the sinking of the Andrea Doria before its public debut.

Ghia also established joint ventures, such as Ghia-Aigle in Switzerland (1948) and Dual-Ghia in the United States (1956). Under Luigi Segre’s leadership in the 1950s, Ghia designed the legendary Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, a coupe and cabriolet built on the Beetle platform and assembled by Karmann in Germany. Other standout models from this era include the Renault Caravelle, Renault Floride, Volvo P1800, and Fiat 1500 GT.

After Segre’s death in 1963, Ghia changed ownership several times before being acquired by Alejandro de Tomaso. This period saw the creation of the iconic De Tomaso Pantera. Economic challenges led to the company’s sale to Ford in 1973, which marked the end of its coachbuilding operations. Ghia became Ford’s design center, contributing concepts like the Ghia Saetta, which inspired the Ford StreetKa.

Between 1973 and 2010, Ford used the Ghia name to represent its most luxurious trims. For example, the Ghia trim for the Fiesta was a staple in the British market for over 30 years. In 2010, Ford retired the Ghia name, replacing it with the Titanium trim.

Over the decades, nearly 400 Ghia cars have been designed and built, each showcasing timeless innovation and style. For a deeper dive into the history of all Ghia cars, explore our comprehensive article covering the legacy of this legendary design house.