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Writer's pictureStory Cars

1961 Chrysler TurboFlite Concept by Ghia

The radical two-door coupe with a retractable flight cockpit-style roof canopy featured a prominent winged spoiler high over the rear deck. This design and aerodynamic feature would later be used successfully by the 1969-70 Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Road Runner Superbird in NASCAR competition.


Released in 1961 and displayed during the 1962 Chicago auto show, the TurboFlight concept was Virgil Exner’s last show car for Chrysler. As the name implies, a third-generation turbine engine powered the vehicle. The entire canopy would lift/down in sync with the doors opening/closing, and the headlights were retractable. A unique deceleration flap was mounted horizontally between the soaring tailfins. This was another collaborative effort between Ghia of Italy and Chrysler’s engineers.


Source: Chrysler Design Institute; www.chicagoautoshow.com

Images: Chrysler



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