Auction Date: January 16
FEATURE LOTS
Lot No. 170:
1954 Dodge Firearrow III Sports Coupe Concept Car
|
||||
| Chassis No. | ||||
| 9999707 | ||||
| Estimate: | ||||
| $1,000,000-$1,500,000 US | ||||
| 150hp, 242 cu. in. V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor, Power-Flite automatic transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs and Oriflow, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, Safe-Guard four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 119" During the 1950s, the American public was captivated by the intrigue of all things new and technologically advanced, like new electronic gadgets to travel by airplane and even trips to the moon and beyond. Bringing a bit of outer space closer to earth were the American automobile makers, who created some of the most sensational dream cars ever seen. Developing their own galaxy full of these show stoppers called Dream Cars or Concept Cars was the Chrysler Corporation who made sure each of their marques had their own distinctive concept cars from the future. In 1953, Dodge unveiled its first special, the Firearrow, a sleek, out-of-this world roadster that provided a glimpse of what everyone’s new automobile would look like in just a few years. While this sleek open-top car looked like it was ready to ply the highways of tomorrow, it was just a rolling concept display model and had no running gear. But the public response was strong enough that approval was given to design and build an actual running prototype, thus was born the Firearrow II. Taking many of it styling cues from the first static model, this car also won the praises of both the press and the public, and fueled talk that there might even be a limited production model down the road. It was decided that another refinement of the design was needed, and that this car should be an aerodynamic masterpiece, a closed coupe with all the amenities needed from the modern driver. Since 1951, Chrysler had looked to the Turin, Italy-based firm of Ghia for their expertise in producing eye-catching one-off concept car designs. Both the original Firearrow and the running second series had been effectively designed and produced at this workshop of unlimited talents. Chrysler’s Chief of Advanced Design, Virgil Exner, is often credited with many of the corporation’s show car designs and executions during this period. However, unlike some design leaders who insisted that they be credited with everything produced under their direction, Exner felt that credit should be given to those who actually put the pen to paper. In charge of what would evolve into the Firearrow III project was well known stylist Luigi Segre. Having served with Ghia for several years, Segre had already been instrumental in several earlier projects with Chrysler, including the C200 roadster and the later K310 coupes. Having established a working relationship with Exner, both men seemed to be on the same page when it came to what these show cars should look like. The visual impact of the new Dodge Firearrow III was impressive. Its combined use of sheet metal, chrome, glass and paint really set this futuristic vehicle apart from anything else seen up to that time. Up front the most notable feature was the smartly styled chrome grille, fitted into a rectangular opening with its concave vertical slats acting as air intakes. Four headlights, two standard hi-lo sealed beam bulbs paired with smaller high-intensity driving lamps mounted to the outside were placed in a recess on the centerline from which a defining trim lime radiated, giving the this sport coupe a most distinctive look. A pair of chrome bumperettes were mounted under the main lights with two nearly concealed parking-turn signal lights mounted to the outer edges. Peaked blade-like accents act as a mid-level belt-line starting at the leading edges of the front fenders, wrapping around and continuing down the entire length of the body. A pair of hand-crafted functioning chrome exhaust pipes that produce an inspiring throaty rumble even at idle, are routed through each rear quarter panel. No detail was overlooked in the design of this show car, with even the rear panel treated to custom touches including a broad, rearward sloping lid for the trunk which is operated by a concealed push-button, while the tail lights are carefully mounted into the trailing edges of the rear fins. Back-up lights are found flush-mounted in the chrome-plated rear license plate holder which is flanked by chrome bumperettes similar to those at the front of the car. Unlike European sports cars of the day, the wheel openings were flat towards the top, not the full radius cut-outs, while the gleaming wide whitewall tires ride on chrome wire wheels sporting simulated knock-off centers. Generous amounts of glass were utilized starting with the deeply raked windshield providing excellent visibility from behind the steering wheel, plus ample side glass installed in both doors and the rear quarters, while a large wrap-around backlight, one of the largest pieces of glass used in any car up to that time, helped provide a panoramic view of opposing traffic from all angles. Despite standing under five feet high, the interior design of the Firearrow III is really quite spacious for the driver and passenger, starting with the plush leather seats featuring Opal Blue bolsters complemented by white leather inserts. Each seat is adjustable. The interior decor also reflects this futuristic styling with easy to operate controls within reach, and appointed with all the modern amenities of the day including a fully functional heater-defroster system and top of the line push-button radio. Heavy pile carpeting padded the floor and another important appointment of the era was included – a “man-sized” ashtray mounted between the two front seats. As with the earlier versions of the Firearrow, this series III coupe was mounted on a regular production chassis from the Dodge Royal, the running gear was left in stock form with the “Red-Ram” mini-“Hemi” V8 engine providing plenty of power. Suspension was also taken straight from production models as was the recently introduced fully automatic Torque-Flite transmission. Studies were conducted to optimize weight distribution which resulted in handling that was far superior to the production cars from which the chassis had come from. Upon delivery to the Chrysler Corporation, the sleek blue coupe was earmarked to be the center of attraction at the opening of the company’s new Chelsea Proving grounds in June 1954, at which point entered a daring young woman by the name of Betty Skelton. By the early 1950s, Miss Skelton had made quite a name for herself. While her first love was flying, (she had flown solo at age 12 and by age 20 was considered one of the best aerobatic pilots in the world) she had taken on a job as a charter pilot and in the course of transporting race drivers between events became friends with NASCAR founder Bill France. He told her about the excitement surrounding Speed Week in Daytona and offered to try and find her a sponsor so she could attend. That year, Betty Skelton was the talk of the beach as she piloted a variety of Chrysler products to several records, before being invited to take part in this special event. Also invited were the top three drivers from that year’s Indianapolis 500 race and after being challenged by the men, Miss Skelton was given the privilege of driving Jack McGrath’s second place-winning race car. But the real reason she was there was to take the Firearrow III out on the new banked oval and open it all the way up. She did, and in the process set a new world record for a woman on a closed course of 143.44 miles per hour, and this while wearing a dress and high heels! After Betty Skelton’s speed runs at the Chelsea proving ground, Firearrow III was placed on the show circuit, becoming a favorite with the crowds as well as the basis for Firearrow IV, a return to open-top motoring. Both the series III and series IV cars would provide the inspiration for what would eventually reach limited production as the famous Dual-Ghia convertibles offered in 1957 by through Dodge dealers. According to the vendor of this exquisite car, Chrysler had made a deal with the U.S. Customs Department that in order to avoid paying some hefty import duties due to the Italian coachwork by Ghia, the car would go back to the country of its origin. In early 1955, the Firearrow III was crated up and sent back to the Turin shops of Ghia. From there Firearrow III was sold to a private individual in France where it remained in the same ownership for the next 30-plus years. During the next three decades, Firearrow III was maintained and at first used on a regular basis, and later driven or exhibited rather sparingly. Thought to have been lost or worse yet, destroyed, it was during the 1980s that an inquiry to an automotive magazine caught the attention of then GM Chief of Design, the late Dave Holls. A letter to the editor from the owner of the car, still in Italy, was trying to locate some information about this unique coupe. Holls alerted the current owner to the car’s whereabouts and the pursuit to add this one-of-a-kind dream machine to a growing collection of similar historic concept automobiles was launched. After several months contact was made and negotiations undertaken before an agreement was made. In short order, the Firearrow III was purchased and returned to the U.S.A.. Since that time Firearrow III has been treated to a ground up restoration by the gifted shop of Fran Roxas, where it was returned to its original appearance. Finished in its original Opal-Blue metallic paint with color coordinated interior of matching leathers, it looks just as it did when cruising on those high banked curves with Betty Skelton behind the wheel. Today, this car stands as an icon of when the American automotive industry was the model for the rest of the world to follow. While there are a number of surviving “dream cars” from the 1950s still in existence, it is indeed rare to find one that has been so exacting in its restoration back to its original configuration. One of the most important parts of the collector car hobby is being able to own and preserve a part of history. The Firearrow III presents a most significant chapter as the only concept/dream car to ever set and hold a land-speed record, demonstrating that this beautiful blue coupe was not just built for show but also for go! An extremely rare opportunity awaits the new owner of the Firearrow III, one that is sure to be accompanied by numerous invitations to show this car at future shows and concours. There is a certain thrill of owning a car of this stature and knowing it was handcrafted to be completely unique and incomparable with anything in the world. |
||||
| Addendum Please note the VIN# for this car is 9999707. |
||||
