Not only human beings who have a tragic story, but a car can also be. One is the Chrysler Norseman Ghia. The story begins in the mid 20th century, precisely in the early 50s. At that time the Italian economy amid improve itself by war. Conditions that make the cost of labor in Italy are lower than in the United States. Considering this and the tradition of the exquisite craftsmanship of Italian coachbuilders, it is not surprising that when Chrysler wanted to create some research prototypes, it turned its looks to Italy.
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1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept was once described as 'the handsome lad who never made it to his prom'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1IeZULl) |


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3D rendered image of the 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept made by Dan Palatnik. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1JPCE8J) |
After developing several prototypes, in 1955 Chrysler finally commissioned Ghia to build a show car. It was to be 'the most automated car in the world'. For design matters usually entrusted to Virgil Exner, but in fact most of the work done by his subordinates, Billie Brownlie.
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Front view of 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1IeZULl) |
Power source using a Hemi V8 engine with a capacity of 331 ci (5,424cc) is capable of generating power up to 235 hp with 2-speed Powerflite transmission, shifted by push-buttons, while the chassis is the possibility of using the Chrysler 300.
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Dashboard view of the 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1IeZULl) |
Here are several colored 3D rendered images of the 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept that made by a Brazilian artist, Dan Palatnik. (all of the pictures taken from: http://bit.ly/1If6qll)
The intricate design makes these vehicles take a long time in development. It took the team, led by
Sergio Coggiola takes 15 months and made Chrysler spent more than the US
$150 thousand to finish the Norseman.
The project was finished on schedule and the Chrysler Norseman completed on July 17, 1956, then packed in wooden crates, and loaded onto the board of a luxury liner of the Italian Line, operating between Genoa and New York. The ship's name was SS Andrea Doria.
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Interior view of 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1DRPkU8) |
On the evening of Wednesday, July 25, 1956, SS Andrea Doria was heading west through the New York Bay. No one will know if it was his last voyage. Ships are expected to dock in NY the next morning. At 23:10, 40 miles off the coast of Nantucket, SS Andrea Doria collided with MS Stockholm, a Swedish passenger ship on its way from New York to Gothenburg in a heavy fog.
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Rear side view of 1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1IeZULl) |
Since then, only one person who had seen the car. In 1994 a famous diver with a diving expedition, David Bright found what he describes as 'rusted hulk' of the Chrysler Norseman. According to what he described, the position of the car in the accident that makes it almost certain that nobody will be able to see again. David Bright died in 2006 from decompression sickness after another of his divings to the Andrea Doria wreck.
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1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept sank along with the SS Andrea Doria on July 25, 1956. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1AEbMAh) |
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