1962 Ghia L 6.4

1962 Other car Ghia L6.4 Additional Info:

The expressive Ghia L 6.4 coupe is a truly rare fusion of Italian craftsmanship and American muscle, courtesy of proven Chrysler mechanicals. This stylish hybrid marks the end of an era for exclusive Carrozzeria-bodied classics, the end of a time when a person's individuality could still be expressed through his or her car. The L 6.4 was a favorite of those who not only made the scene, they WERE the scene--and the likes of which we'll never see again.

After a single 1958 Dual-Ghia 400 prototype was built with inspiration from Chrysler's 1957 Dart show car, Eugene Casaroll went in another direction with a (comparably) conservative coupe--the Ghia L 6.4. Introduced at the 1960 International Auto Show in Paris, the new car was not badged a Dual-Ghia, as Dual Motors was to be nothing more than the importer. Its name also signified that the Chrysler V-8 engine under the long hood displaced 383 cubic inches, or 6.4 liters.

The handsome long-nose/short-deck styling of the new L 6.4 planted the car squarely in the 1960s. Despite using Dual-Ghia styling cues like front fender vents and a bisected squared oval grille, similarities between the old convertibles and the new coupes were few. Credit for the car's styling was never claimed by Virgil Exner, but it's commonly believed that Exner contributed to the basic design proposed by Ghia stylists. In fact, the L 6.4's windshield, vent windows and exterior door handles were directly borrowed from the 1961-1962 Chryslers and upscale Dodges. When viewed in profile or from behind, the Ghia L 6.4 seems to forecast the more taut lines that characterized the 1963 Chrysler cars influenced by Elwood Engel. The massive three-piece wrap-over rear window complemented the curved windshield, and the unusual tapered B-pillar treatment would later appear on mid-1960s B-body cars.

The L 6.4 was fitted with comprehensive gauges including a tachometer and an eight-day clock, all set in a brightly trimmed instrument panel that flowed in a stylish curve down to a center console separating the bucket seats. It was inset with an AM/FM radio, ventilation controls and a sporty automatic transmission selector. A Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel completed the thoroughbred look. Despite the car's 115-inch wheelbase and 210-inch length, it was intended as a two-seat Grand Tourer, so the area behind the seats was designed to hold luggage instead of passengers.

Because Carrozzeria Ghia built each L 6.4 to order, the 50 units per year that Mr. Casaroll intended to be built never materialized. Despite its 1960-1962 production life, ONLY a mere 26 L 6.4s were built, and all were sold through Dual-Motors in the United States. Although they weren't the last Chrysler-designed cars that Ghia built (they went on to construct 55 of the futuristic Turbine Cars for public testing from 1963-1967), the Ghia L 6.4 was one of the final custom-bodied Italian/American GT hybrids to be available to the (fabulously wealthy and well-connected) public at large.

This 1962 Ghia L 6.4 has spent most of its life in private overseas collections. Original other than redone interior, and battery kill switch. Runs and drives great. Of the 17 L 6.4 that are “known to exist” to the collector and enthusiast world, this is most likely a missing (and previously “unknown”) 18th surviving car. Chassis number appears to show it as #22 of 26, making it one of the very last cars to be produced.

A beautiful piece of automotive history, and a thrilling experience to drive! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or would like to come and see the car in person. We live near Annapolis, MD. (Just 15 minutes from BWI airport.)