1954 Dodge Firearrow III (Ghia)

Firearrow III (1954) was a 2-seater Sport Coupe. It looked more like the first Firearrow but was more civilized. It was painted a light metallic blue. In 1954, it was clocked at 143.44mph at the Chrysler proving grounds with Betty Skelton driving. Dual headlights had returned.

Later in 1954, the two-seat Firearrow Sport Coupe appeared. As with the earlier roadster, the metallic blue coupe was essentially a 1954 Dodge. Dual headlights returned and now flanked a concave grille cut with narrow verticals.

Crash protection front and rear was provided by modest bumperettes. A wraparound backlight gave the Sport Coupe a particularly rakish aspect.

And the car went as good as it looked (with a modified engine, that is). Driving at Chrysler's Chelsea, Michigan, proving grounds in 1954, racer/flier Betty Skelton set a women's closed-course record at an impressive 143.4 mph.

The last of Virgil Exner's Firearrow series, the Firearrow convertible, arrived late in 1954. Despite being the series' first four-seater, it shared many styling cues with the Sport Coupe.

The concave grille returned, though it now carried a grid treatment instead of the coupe's slim verticals. As for the convertible's leather interior -- well, as it was a diamond pattern done in hard-to-ignore black and white, it was definitely an acquired taste. Additional sizzle was provided by the car's bright red body.

В начале 1954 года появятся сразу две версии Dodge Fire Arrow: кабриолет и наиболее доведенная с инженерной точки зрения версия – купе. На последней будет установлен очередной «женский» мировой рекорд скорости – 229,5 км/ч.

Dodge Firearrow III Concept Coupe 1954 года выпуска. Сегодня автомобиль выглядит так же хорошо, как полвека назад, когда Chrysler заказал его у итальянского дизайнерского дома «Carrozzeria Ghia». В результате получилось авто с низкой крышей, огромной решеткой, четырьмя передними фарами, «охватывающими» задними окнами и короткими бамперами. Да уж, в современных авто такого не найдешь. Да здравствует Италия!