1956 Chrysler 300B Coupe Speciale
One of only two coachbuilt cars from Carrozzeria Boano constructed on an American chassis, the 1956 Chrysler 300B Coupe Speciale was commissioned by Gianni Agnelli (then vice president of Fiat) with a direct brief: a two-seat coupe with classic British proportions and none of the prevailing American styling trends.
Felice Mario Boano had led Ghia until 1954, and that background shows in the trapezoidal grille, which echoes the earlier Ghia-bodied Chrysler Specials. The body presents a long hood, short rear deck, and subtly finned rear fenders, with a leather-trimmed roof completing a formal coupe profile.
The 300B’s 126-inch wheelbase was shortened to 119 inches to suit European road dimensions. The 354 CI FirePower Hemi V-8 (rated at 340 horsepower in 300B specification) was retained beneath the hood, paired with Chrysler’s pushbutton TorqueFlite three-speed automatic introduced for 1956. Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, Marchal headlamps, and a power-operated sunroof rounded out the specification.
On inspecting the completed car, Agnelli declined delivery (reportedly unwilling to be seen as Fiat’s future chairman in an American-powered automobile). He passed it to his brother Umberto, then director of Fiat France, where the car was first titled in 1957.
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