Warning: this film contains scenes of a highly graphic and disturbing nature.
It’s a fact: Of the 55 fabulous Chrysler Ghia Turbine cars created in 1963, only nine remain. The other 46 were destroyed when the program ended. We can say fact because in this instance, the destruction of the vehicles was not only witnessed by Chrysler personnel, it was recorded on film. You can view a digital version at the bottom of this page.
In the Motor City, the scrapping of concept vehicles and prototypes is standard practice. Sure it’s a shame, but it’s necessary. There are a host of reasons, but essentially it comes down to this: The automakers can’t have the vehicles escaping out into the real world, creating potential liabilities and jeopardizing the brand. For example, no division VP wants to field a phone call from an angry customer who wants to know how come the local dealer can’t sell him a left front fender or an air filter. Do they stand behind their products or not?
So crush they must.
Now, as we all know, sometimes the cars aren’t actually destroyed. Some just sort of disappear out a side door of the car company, then magically reappear years later However, not in this case. As the video testifies beyond all doubt, these vehicles were officially terminated.
But fortunately, Chrysler exercised some foresight in this instance. As we know, nine of the beautiful Ghia-built coupes were set aside, three for Chrysler internal use and six more for outside museums and collections. All nine of these cars are still with us today. Only three have operating engines, it so happens, but that’s a story for another time.
Up until now, I have avoided watching this film. Hollywood cannot even imagine creating horror of this kind. I know I’ll have nightmares tonight.
G.M. and Ford also destroyed many experimental gems and I ofter wonder what became of the display chassis and engines from the Motorama displays.
@Jim — Many displays were scattered to the four winds throughout the GM supplier network. Some of it resurfaced in the massive 2009 reorganization. Greg Wallace of the GM Heritage Collection does a masterful job tracking things down.
These are such drop-dead gorgeous cars. One thing photos don’t show is the scale–smaller than the ’61-’63 Thunderbirds to which they are so often compared.
Just read the Wikipedia entry for a little more info on this car. It’s quite interesting and the looks fit the tech perfectly. As always, thanks for bringing this to my attention.
“For example, no division VP wants to field a phone call from an angry customer who wants to know how come the local dealer can’t sell him a left front fender or an air filter. Do they stand behind their products or not?”
Hmm, I guess no one has been to the Chrysler dealer to get warranty work on their cars. They don’t just stand behind their products, in fact it seems they run away in the other direction…as fast as they can!