Futuristic, aerodynamic, powered by a V8 Hemi engine and even capable of setting a land speed record: these are the main characteristics of the Dodge Firearrow III – an American concept car from the 50s.
The Dodge Firearrow III was created in collaboration between Virgil Exner and the Ghia body shop. This little piece of automotive history has now been sold at auction at RM Sotheby's for $852.500 (approximately €738.600). And a woman is probably not entirely to blame for this.
We are in the 50s. The space race determines the development of new technologies and, above all, design trends – the so-called “jet” era. Chrysler consistently invests in concept cars and turns each brand of the concern into its own style laboratory. In this context, Dodge presents the first Firearrow in 1953 as a pure exhibition piece. The enthusiasm of the audience leads to the driving version: the Firearrow II – the predecessor of the further developed Firearrow III.
The project was supervised by Virgil Exner, and the design was designed by Luigi Segre for Carrozzeria Ghia. The Dodge's design combines sheet metal, glass and chrome details; the front end is adorned with a rectangular grille with concave, vertical elements and four headlights built into a central recess.
The side profile features a blade-shaped ribbed line running the entire length, while twin chrome exhaust pipes protrude from the rear wings. The large glass area with a steeply raked windscreen and a large, wraparound rear window further enhance the futuristic impression.
The opal blue and white leather interior offers adjustable seats, a radio with buttons and heating – all features that were extremely modern for the time. Under the hood is a 3,9-liter “Red Ram” Hemi V8 with 150 hp (110 kW) and a PowerFlite automatic transmission. The chassis is derived from the production Dodge Royal. Weight distribution optimization improves dynamics.
In 1954, at the opening of the Chelsea Proving Grounds, Betty Skelton entered the scene. She had flown for the first time at the age of twelve, and by the age of twenty she was one of the best aerobatic pilots. She got into the Firearrow III and did a few laps around the closed Nascar track. At 143,44 mph (about 231 km/h), she immediately set a women's speed record in a Dodge concept car - while wearing a dress and high heels to match.
To refresh your memory: we're still in the 50s. Who cares? After the exhibition tour, the car returned to Italy for customs reasons, where it remained in Europe for several decades, before being rediscovered and returned to the United States. Fran Roxas has restored the car to its original condition with an extensive restoration.
That's why the Dodge Firearrow III represents a very special chapter in automotive history. It's the only concept car to ever set and hold a land speed record. This beautiful blue coupe proves that it wasn't just for show and touring, it was built for the racetrack.
