Carrozzeria Ghia: A Legacy of Elegance
Founded in 1916 in Turin by Giacinto Ghia, Carrozzeria Ghia quickly established itself as one of Italy's most prestigious coachbuilding houses. For decades, Ghia shaped the automotive landscape with designs that married Italian artistry with engineering excellence, collaborating with manufacturers from Fiat and Alfa Romeo to Chrysler and Volkswagen.
After Giacinto Ghia's passing in 1944, the company was led by several figures, most notably Luigi Segre, who steered Ghia through its golden age in the 1950s. Under Segre's direction, Ghia produced some of the most celebrated one-off designs and concept cars of the era, including the Chrysler Ghia series and the iconic Volkswagen Karmann Ghia — a car whose design originated from a Ghia proposal.
By the early 1960s, Ghia was at the height of its prestige but also at a crossroads. The company needed a production model that could sustain its operations beyond one-off commissions and design studies. The answer would come from a partnership with Fiat.
Sergio Sartorelli: The Designer
Sergio Sartorelli (1928–2006) was the talented designer responsible for the Ghia 1500 GT's elegant lines. A graduate of Turin's Polytechnic, Sartorelli joined Ghia in the late 1950s and quickly proved himself with a series of distinctive designs.
Sartorelli's design for the 1500 GT was a masterwork of restrained elegance. The car featured a long hood flowing into a compact greenhouse, with clean, taut surfaces that caught the light beautifully. The front end was distinguished by quad headlights set into a refined grille, while the rear featured a distinctive fastback profile with a large, curved rear window.
The design was first shown as a prototype at the 1962 Turin Motor Show, where it received immediate acclaim. The car's proportions were remarkably harmonious — it looked both powerful and refined, sporting yet suitable for grand touring.
The Ghia 1500 GT: Birth of a Gran Turismo
The Ghia 1500 GT was based on the mechanical components of the Fiat 1500, a popular mid-range sedan. Fiat supplied the running chassis complete with engine, gearbox, and suspension to Ghia's workshops in Turin, where the coachwork was hand-built and fitted.
Under the hood sat Fiat's reliable 1,481 cc inline-four engine, producing approximately 80 bhp in standard form. While not a powerhouse, the engine provided adequate performance for a comfortable GT car, with a top speed of around 170 km/h (106 mph). The car used a four-speed manual gearbox with column or floor shift, depending on the series.
What set the Ghia 1500 GT apart was not raw performance but the quality of the driving experience. The car offered:
Refined Comfort
A well-appointed interior with quality materials, comfortable seating for two plus occasional rear seats, and excellent visibility from the large glass area.
Elegant Design
Hand-crafted bodywork with attention to detail in every panel gap, chrome accent, and interior trim piece — the hallmark of a true carrozzeria product.
Reliable Mechanicals
Based on the proven Fiat 1500 platform, the car benefited from Fiat's extensive dealer network and readily available spare parts throughout Europe.
Exclusivity
With limited production numbers and hand-built construction, each Ghia 1500 GT was a far more exclusive proposition than mass-produced competitors.
Production: 1962–1966
Production of the Ghia 1500 GT began in late 1962 and continued through 1966. The exact number of cars produced has been a matter of debate among historians, but the most commonly cited figure is approximately 846 units.
The car was offered in a range of colors, with red being the most popular choice, followed by blue, white, grey, and various shades of beige and green. Some special examples were finished in unique colors or featured bespoke interior specifications.
Throughout the production run, the car underwent subtle refinements. Early cars (sometimes called "Series 1") can be distinguished from later examples by details such as the dashboard layout, trim elements, and mechanical specifications. However, as with many low-volume Italian cars of the period, there was considerable variation even within the same production series, as modifications were often implemented gradually on the production line.
1962 — Turin Motor Show Debut
The prototype is unveiled at the Salone dell'Automobile di Torino. Production begins shortly after with the first chassis numbers in the 018xxxx range.
1963 — Full Production
The main production year. Cars are exported throughout Europe and to select markets worldwide. The model gains a following among discerning drivers seeking Italian style with practical reliability.
1964 — Continued Production & Refinement
Subtle updates are introduced, including interior refinements. Chassis numbers progress through the 035xxxx–038xxxx range.
1966 — End of Production
Production winds down as Ghia shifts focus to other projects. The last examples carry chassis numbers in the 039xxxx range. Luigi Segre's passing in 1963 had already changed the company's direction.
Legacy & Rediscovery
For decades after production ended, the Ghia 1500 GT remained largely forgotten — overshadowed by more famous Italian GTs from Ferrari, Maserati, and even Fiat's own Dino. Many cars were used as daily drivers and eventually discarded or left to deteriorate.
In recent years, however, the Ghia 1500 GT has experienced a remarkable rediscovery. Collectors and enthusiasts have come to appreciate the car's elegant design, its rarity, and the quality of its construction. Auction prices have risen steadily, and well-restored examples now command significant attention at concours events and classic car gatherings.
This registry exists to support that rediscovery — to ensure that as many surviving Ghia 1500 GTs as possible are documented, photographed, and their histories preserved for future generations of enthusiasts.
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | Carrozzeria Ghia, Turin, Italy |
| Designer | Sergio Sartorelli |
| Production | 1962–1966 (approx. 846 units) |
| Body Style | 2-door coupé (2+2) |
| Engine | Fiat 1481 cc inline-4, OHV |
| Power | ~80 bhp at 5,200 rpm |
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual |
| Top Speed | ~170 km/h (106 mph) |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm |
| Length | 4,280 mm |
| Width | 1,555 mm |
| Weight | ~1,050 kg |
| Chassis | Fiat 1500 monocoque with Ghia body |