One of just 18 examples ever built, this distinctive Chrysler stands apart even among one of America’s rarest coachbuilt cars.
A 1953 Chrysler Special coupe bodied by Ghia is set to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction this August. Thanks to its rarity, documented history, and concours-level restoration, the car is expected to sell for between $750,000 and $1 million. The auction will take place from August 13–16, 2026.
This particular vehicle is the very first of only 18 Chrysler Specials produced. The model was developed under the direction of legendary designer Virgil Exner and built on a shortened Chrysler New Yorker chassis.
What makes this example especially noteworthy is its factory-applied two-tone paint scheme—the only known Chrysler Special to leave the factory in this configuration. The coupe also features original concealed door handles, a design element not found on any of the other 17 cars.
The Chrysler was first registered in Switzerland in May 1953. In 1970, it was discovered in a barn and sold to a German collector, who restored the vehicle and regularly displayed it at automotive events throughout Europe for the next 41 years.
The current owner acquired the coupe in April 2017 and commissioned an extensive restoration. Between August 2017 and October 2023, specialists at Schatz Historic in Germany, together with a restoration workshop in the Czech Republic, completely disassembled the vehicle, repaired the bodywork, returned it to its original factory color, and rebuilt all major mechanical components, including the original engine.
The restored coupe was imported to California in 2024. A year later, it earned third place in its class at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The same RM Sotheby’s sale will also feature an exceptionally rare Bugatti Type 57S Atalante coupe. Believed to be one of only four surviving examples, the 1937 Bugatti has passed through numerous owners and undergone several restorations during its lifetime. Auction specialists expect it to bring between $4.5 million and $6 million.