1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible

As a man possessed of virtually boundless vision and drive, Eugene Casaroll almost single-handedly invented the car-delivery business with his foundation of Auto Shippers and his Dual Motors Corporation built fleets of twin-engine military vehicles for America and its WWII allies. Next, he diversified into high-end automobile manufacturing by acquiring production rights to the Virgil Exner-designed, Ghia-built Dodge Firebomb concept car of 1955, which he renamed the Dual-Ghia.

Dual Motors shipped modified Dodge chassis from Detroit to Ghia in Turin, where the sleek, handmade bodies were fitted. Once back at the Dual facilities, Dodge D-500 V-8 engines and PowerFlite automatic transmissions were installed. Production ran from 1957 to 1958, with the original Virgil Exner design only slightly modified under the watchful eyes of Paul Farago (Casaroll’s partner and Ghia’s American representative), who increased passenger and luggage space and specified the subtle aircraft-inspired tailfins.