Cars of future past on sale at RM Auction in August
Great-looking, expensive cars crossing the block at an auction are not news, even in this economy (the rich keep getting richer, after all). But when the car in question is a one-of-a-kind concept vehicle from the 1950s… a car that actually runs and drives, a car that makes you think “Perfect for those Sundays in the country Mr. Jetson.”… well, that’s definitely news.
A one-of-a-kind 1957 Chrysler Diablo concept car handcrafted by Ghia will steal the spotlight at Monterey’s famed classic car weekend this August as it crosses the RM Auctions block.
Considered the most valuable concept car of the late 1950s, the revolutionary Diablo will be the star attraction of RM Auctions’ multi-million dollar Sports & Classics of Monterey event, to be held August 15th and 16th in downtown Monterey, 
California. Conceived by Chrysler’s design head, Virgil Exner, arguably America’s most influential stylist, this rare example was built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia on a 1955 Chrysler 300 series chassis. A featured concept car for the 1957 US auto show circuit, the car is one of the largest and most impressive concept cars ever built, stretching an impressive 22 feet in length.
In 1957, the Diablo was Chrysler’s star concept car of the year. Adding to its fascinating history, the 1957 Diablo nearly sealed its fate along with the legendary Chrysler Norseman, when it was scheduled to be shipped aboard the ill-fated Andrea Doria. Luckily, for dream car enthusiasts, last minute work delayed its shipment, preserving it for the enjoyment of future generations. With an investment from Chrysler of over $250,000, the Diablo was showcased to the public at the 1958 Chicago Auto Show, before being returned to Ghia in Italy for their corporate promotion.
The car eventually found its way back to the United States and has been under the careful care of its current owner for over 25 years. The sale of this important American concept will be accompanied by extensive documentation, detailing its history and restoration. The Diablo has been an attraction at such prestigious museums as the Cleveland Auto and Aviation Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, as well as at such events as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and New York’s Louis Vuitton Classic.
The Chrysler Diablo in Motion
The Ghia-built Diablo started out as the Chrysler Dart of 1956. This was an experiment in aerodynamics and featured a fully retractable metal hardtop that slid into the trunk beneath the rear window, altering the line of the rear deck. Designed in the Advance Styling Studio and overseen by legendary designer Virgil M. Exner, the Dart was inspired by engineers watching ink blots moving in 200mph winds along the surface of plastic models. The end result was this almost perfect dart shape, reinforcing Exner's belief that fins worked.
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