1956 Chrysler Dart (Ghia)

A HYDROPLANE ON WHEELS. THE DART – Chrysler Corporation’s newest idea car – possesses so much of the streamlined purity common to high-speed hydroplanes that it closely resembles a hydroplane on wheels. Every inch of its 223-inch length was aerodynamically perfected in Europe’s largest wind tunnel. It has many advanced chassis and suspension features developed by Chrysler engineers in this country. The upswept fins are not only glamorous but tests proved them to be extremely functional in eliminating wind wander on the highways. The Dart has a 129-inch wheelbase and is six inches lower than 1956 production cars. The Drat is 80 inches wide and 54 inches high and is powered by an advanced Chrysler FirePower V-8 engine. It is the lowest full four-passenger sedan ever built. Many of its engineering innovations still remain secret. These include a completely new design in chassis construction and suspension. A few of the more outstanding Chrysler innovations which are on trial in this experimental car include: Three-dimensional windshield—sloping at a sharper angle and offering more visibility than any windshield in production. The windshield wraps into the roof as well as around the sides. Full-wrap, rubber mounted bumpers—provide complete protection around the car body, yet blend into the car so aerodynamically they seem a part of the car body. A sliding roof panel—telescopes into a concealed compartment behind the rear seat. The roof can also be partially retracted so as to leave the front seat open and the rear seat covered. Induced brake cooling—is achieved by air forced through the finned wheel covers to the brakes at a rate of eight cubic feet per minutes at 40 miles per hour.

10/1/56

This 1956 Chrysler Dart Concept is a vehicle constructed to defy wind. It was very aerodynamic and finely tuned in one of Europe's largest wind tunnels. At the time of its construction, it was the most aerodynamic car in existence. It had less than one-third the air drag of any other passenger car on the road.

The design of the vehicle was handled by Virgil Exner's design studio at Chrysler.

The bumper was a wrap-around rubber mounted unit that provided protection while still preserving the vehicles design and aerodynamic principles. There was a sliding roof panel which could be removed and carefully concealed in a special compartment behind the rear seat. Part of the roof could also be retracted which would leave the rear seat mostly closed, but the front seat open.

Can a concept car ever win Best of Show at Pebble Beach? That is a big question, but if there ever was a top of the line concept car, that could, the 1956/1957 Chrysler Ghia Dart/Diablo Hemi has to be the one. Chrysler took off the gloves for the 1956 show circuit, going after GM with one of the largest American concept cars ever made and undoubtedly one of the most impressive. The design of course was done by Virgil Exner, the head designer at Chrysler Corporation in the 1950’s and bodied by Ghia as were most of the Chrysler concept cars. This dream car was done on a 1956 Chrysler Imperial modified chassis with a modified Chrysler Hemi 392 displacement, 375 horsepower engine with 3 two-barrel carburetors, push button transmission, star wars dashboard, four bucket seats. Note: the door handles are built into the leading edge of the fins.

Many of the concept/dream cars/prototypes were used for two years. The first year would be modified for the second year rendition. This car was the Dart by Virgil Exner, Chrysler’s head designer in 1956 and the second edition being called the Diablo again by Ghia.

Dream Car компании Chrysler – Dart. Из-за возникших проблем с электроникой сервоприводов Chrysler Dart был показан публике только на выставке 1957 года. Таким образом, машину готовили более двух лет. Процесс разработки включал в себя расширенную программу аэродинамических исследований в Университете Турина. После тщательной и кропотливой работы было смакетировано в масштабе 1:5 «идеальное аэродинамическое базовое тело». Руководство концерна Chrysler поспешило заявить, что удалось создать автомобиль с минимальным аэродинамическим коэффициентом сопротивления. Впрочем, многие эксперты ставили это под сомнение. Четырехместный спортивный кабриолет имел автоматически складывающуюся (причем на ходу) жесткую крышу. Chrysler Dart удалось сохранить – в 1989 году его выставили на один из аукционов.