Pebble 2010: Ghia, In All Its Glory

By Marty Padgett

Marty Padgett

Editorial Director BIO

Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

LATEST ARTICLE
2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series: Driven
Have we driven the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG enough? You tell us. We've flogged it in its debut form as... Read More

• #5LEADERBOARD RANK
• 5170ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 111COMMENTS POSTED

3 1,219 views Aug 15, 2010

Follow Marty

Add to circle

1955 Ghia Streamline X "Gilda" 2 Door Fastback Coupe

Design studios rarely receive the kind of comprehensive museum treatment of established car brands. It's no easy thing to assemble a cohesive group of cars that eventually were sold by different car companies, each with a different purpose in mind.

As one of the honored marques at this year's 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the coachwork and design house of Ghia finally got its due with a dazzling display of concepts built for makes as wide-ranging as Plymouth, Ford and Ferrari.

Above, the 1955 Ghia Streamline X "Gilda" 2 Door Fastback Coupe made its futuristic statement once again--and dramatically, against a backdrop of classic touring cars from Pierce-Arrow, Packard and Mercedes-Benz. The "Gilda" was nicknamed after actress Rita Hayworth, for its arresting, svelte shape. The details are pure 1950s fantasy, especially the arrow-shaped door handles. The powertrain? The Gilda had held a four-cylinder engine, but nowadays it sports the turbine engine designers had envisioned. It's owned by Scott Grundfor and Kathleen Redmond of Arroyo Grande, California.

This 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Ghia Berlinetta was the styling studio's last Ferrari effort, bowing a year after the 410 was introduced at the 1955 Paris auto show. A 5.0-liter V-12 sits underhood. Current owner Robert M. Lee of Sparks, Nevada, purchased the car in 1991.