Chrysler D’Elegance

Vehicle Overview

This Chrysler D’Elegance inspired Chrysler’s 1998 concept car, the Chronos, and is an example of how Chrysler’s bloodlines reappear in current designs. If the Ghia-built Chrysler D’Elegance looks familiar, it should. Though little appreciated for some years, Volkswagen acquired manufacturing rights to this design, which was then downscaled by Ghia to fit the chassis of VW’s small, 1930s-era Beetle sedan. Germany’s Karosserie Karmann was contracted as body supplier for what was introduced in late 1954 as the VW Karmann-Ghia — a gross misnomer, as the Italian firm had nothing to do with the original styling as it was designed by Virgil Exner. It was one of the few times Ex didn’t get the credit he deserved. Spoked wheels, white-band tires, metallic red paint, and special “microphone” protruding taillights complete the look of this spectacular D’Elegance, which inside sports custom-made suitcases and a well-kept black and cream leather interior. Four previous Chrysler prototypes also signed by Exner contribute to the styling of the D’Elegance: the K-310, the C-200, the Special and the Special Modified. Of these only the Special has a brief production follow-up, with a few dozen units produced by Ghia and sold in Europe under the name GS-1.