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Built at the request of Chrysler executive Virgil Exner, the Gilda was an exercise in extreme styling and ambitious performance. It was created by Ghia and debuted as a showcar at the Salone di Torino of 1955, later touring around Europe, then the US. The car was nicknamed the after Rita Hayworth's performance in the 1946 film noir classic Gilda.

Fabrication of the Gilda was completed to the same standards of other Ghia coachwork for Italian chassis such as Ferrari and Maserati. But unlike the cars produced for wealthy clients, the Steamline’s shape was one of Ghia’s most spectacular.

Styling of the Gilda was handled by Giovanni Savonuzzi. He referenced the Rocket Age of American design, including huge tail fins that began at the front of the car. The body used a two tone paint scheme with a dark underbelly and disc wheels. The cockpit was placed in a cab-forward position and was unusually small for the size of the car. Overall shape was supposedly finalized in the wind tunnel at the Politecnico di Torino.

The initial idea was to power the Gilda by a gas-turbine engine, but a regular four stroke was fitted instead. At the time, Ghia released a theoretical top speed figure of 140 mph (225 kph), but it went untested probably due to the engine choice.

After being displayed across Europe, the prototype found its way to America and into a temporary exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. In 2001, it was offered by the Blackhawk Collection in Las Vegas for the price of $125,000 USD.

The new owner, Scott Grund for of California commissioned a restoration that followed Ghia’s initial blueprints. This included installation of a gas-turbine engine which the rear-end was distinctively styled for.

When completed, the Gilda debuted at numerous American concours including Pebble Beach in 2008. It was also returned to Italy in 2008 to take parting the Dream Exhibition at the Torino 2008 World Design Capital and the Villa d'Este Concours.

Story by Richard Owen