Ghia G230S

About this model

The Ghia G230S marked the final flourish in an Italian coachbuilding tradition stretching over five decades. It is considered to be the last completely hand-built model made by Carrozzeria Ghia, before it called time once and for all on its independent coachbuilding operations.

The project took shape during a time of profound upheaval. Heeding the decline of traditional coachbuilders, Ghia was seeking a new vision for its future. American entrepreneur Burt Sugarman teamed up with Ghia to embark on an ambitious undertaking: the development of an exclusive grand tourer with which Chrysler could dip its toe in the marketplace. The result was the G230S, an elegant, low-slung Spider that brought together state-of-the-art technology and Italian styling.

Originally designed by Sergio Sartorelli, the car’s lines were subsequently refined by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro. The body was created entirely by hand. What makes the prototype so special is its elaborate construction: a purpose-built monocoque was fixed to a lightweight tubular frame developed by Gilberto Colombo, the man behind numerous legendary spaceframe chassis of the 1960s.

Fiat components initially provided the technical basis for the G230S, with an Abarth-tuned 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine delivering around 150 hp in the base version of the car. Ghia was already working on the development of another variant to accommodate an Chrysler Commando 5.9-litre V8, eventually leading to the creation of the Ghia 450/SS.

A total of four G230S prototypes (two Coupés and two Spiders) were produced between 1965 and 1966. The version shown here is the first Spider prototype and the sole example of the open-top variant known to have survived to this day. At international motor shows, the study was presented as the ‘450/SS’ despite still having Fiat technology under the skin something that continues to cause confusion today.