1967 Ghia 450 SS Convertible
The 450 SS Spyder was a creative design produced by the multi-talented and world renowned automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro during his association with the distinguished Italian design studio and coach builder, Carrozzeria Ghia in the mid-60’s.
Motivated by the Fiat G230S Coupe on the cover of the Road & Track, Hollywood producer Burt Sugarman motived Ghia to go into production of the 450 SS. By agreement, it was sold through his new subsidiary, Ghia of America for the staggering price of $11,000 USD.
The 450 SS was initially unveiled and featured at the 1966 Turin International Auto Show and was produced in very limited numbers through 1967. Only 52 hand-crafted examples were created and sold exclusively through a Beverly Hills importer to those that could afford such a car.
1967 Ghia 450 SS Convertible Gallery
Sales
BS4042 – Finished in silver with a black interior and top. Unique features, including push-button door handles, unique Eames-style bucket seats and bespoke instrumentation. Sold at Gooding & Companies 2010 Amelia Island Auction for $82,500 USD. Described as a two owner car that “has been meticulously detailed and inspected”.
BS4026 – Sold at Barrett Jackson’s 2009 Scottsdale auction for $181,500. Described as “This car for auction is Serial #4026. After an 18-month restoration that was completed in July, the car was invited to be shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in August of 2008. This Ghia 450 SS was honored as a Class Award winner in the class of Post War Custom Coachwork Sports Cars. The restoration included paint, mechanicals, a complete new interior, all the rubber and brightwork inside and out, all chrome, a rebuild of all 5 Borrani wheels, brakes, new exhaust, new handmade top, a complete trunk restoration, new wiring harness, all gauges rebuilt, under hood restoration of the motor compartment with all components new or rebuilt, new radiator core, carburetor rebuild, new alternator and on and on. The motor and transmission have also been rebuilt. The interior required 9 hides of leather and every surface has been perfectly hand sewn to new condition. The entire dash face, dash pad etc, new seat padding, door panels, and console are all covered as they were when new. The original wood on the console was refinished and a perfect hand-crafted new steering wheel with the exact original specifications was made. All the chrome was removed and sent out to the best chrome plater in the US and the gauges were rebuilt. The wool carpets are leather bound. Attention to every detail was given to insure every aspect was worth of a world class restoration.
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| body stylist | Giorgetto Giugiaro |
| coachbuilder | Ghia |
| production | 52 |
| price $ | $ 11,000 |
| engine | “Commando” V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| fuel feed | Single Carter 4-Barrel Carburetor |
| displacement | 4474 cc / 273 in³ |
| power | 175.2 kw / 235 bhp @ 5200 rpm |
| specific output | 52.53 bhp per litre |
| front brakes | Discs |
| rear brakes | Kelsey-Hayes |
| f suspension | Independent |
| r suspension | Live Axle |
| transmission | 3-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic |
