Today, a hybrid vehicle means that the car in question uses electric and ICE power combined. But several decades ago, a “hybrid” was a cross between a European body and an American engine. This style was a sure recipe for some amazing cars as a result.
Back in the day, Europeans struggled to produce cheap and reliable high-performance engines. True, Ferrari had its V12s, but they weren’t precisely affordable or reliable due to many reasons. So, what did European companies do when they wanted to make a sports car but couldn’t complete an engine from scratch? They simply looked for the solution in Detroit. From the early ’50s to this day, several European companies had US power under the hood. This created unique and highly desirable machines. We found the best of them and listed them below.
Ghia 450 SS
Back in the ’50s, the Ghia design studio had close connections with Chrysler Corporation. They produced several highly successful show cars. In the early ’60s, Burt Sugarman, a famous Hollywood producer, contacted Ghia and suggested that the company produce a limited run of roadsters. They were based on the Plymouth Barracuda. But they had special bodies, bespoke interiors, and a bit more power. That was how Ghia 450 SS was born (via Supercars).
Powered by a 273 V8 with an automatic transmission, the Ghia 450 SS had 240 hp and decent performance as a result. Moreover, it had a unique and stylish design. As you can expect, Ghia 450 SS was a very expensive proposition. It cost roughly three times as top-of-the-line Barracuda. They only made 52 cars because of the price tag.