Saturday, January 09, 2016

the Chrysler Norseman, a prototype lost when the ship Andrea Doria went down at sea in 1956


back when Chrysler was in love with Italian coachbuilders, like Ghia (the Dual Ghia of course). Well, who wouldn't be, most Chrysler designs had no imagination or pizazz


found on https://www.facebook.com/groups/1631935880418477/

10 comments:

  1. I wonder if this fastback styling had any influence in the design of the Rambler Marlin? (minus the tail fins of course)

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  2. Jesse I was just a kid when this happened, but I remember the b&k news reel of the Andrea Doria sinking. It was being filmed from the air by a plane that was cycling it as she was going down. Poor old Virgil Exner didn't know the ship with his prize Ghia designed jewel was sunk as he was in the hospital recovering from a heart attack, as the story goes. When he was finally told of the catastrophe he just laughed.

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    1. geez, was he laughing about how bad a turn life had just given him?

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    2. I wrote an article on the Norseman with the help of Mr. Exner's son, Virgil Exner, Jr. He said the reason that his dad smiled (Not laughed) when he heard the car was lost was because he said that his car was now part of an important moment in history.

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    3. huh, he was right! No one would make as much free publicity about it if it were another concept car from the 50s. Thanks for the note! Hey, What are you doing back here ion the archives?

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  3. That's what I understand to have happened Jesse. By the way, I ment to write b&w (black and white) news reel.

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  4. Like to find out who ownes the car now is it possable to get it back from the ship i would love to rebuild the car it has a place in history it would suck to leave it there other cars have beed saved why not this one every thing is there too rebuild it so if it cost one mill to get it it is worth it there is only one

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    1. Who owns it? It's King Neptune. And then whoever claims salvage rights. But, it may not be worth anyone's time to find it. Not unless they plan to sell it, and get their money back for the search.... and salvage. No matter, anyone can build a replica and skip all the problems of trying to find the original... it will never drive again anyway, so, make a replica

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    2. I saw a documentary about it. It is - sadly - beyond salvage. 60+ years of salt water bath did the irreversible damage.

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  5. love that marlin roof line

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