Lot 57
57
GHIA ZIG CONCEPT
This lot has no reserve. 1990 Ghia Zig Concept and Ghia Zag Concept Ghia Zig and Ghia Zag are a complementary pair of 1990 show concepts. It's only a wonder that the marketers never used the natural combination before. Maybe that was because no one had before come up with such an innovative, cost-effective and appealing concept for a family of vehicles openly sharing common origins and components. All manufacturers shared platforms, engines, suspensions and even body panels across brands or nameplates or marques or whatever they called them. Ghia's Zig and Zag genius was to make sharing a virtue. The Seventies' gas crisis was over in 1990 when Ghia Zig and Ghia Zag appeared at the Geneva Auto Show but Ghia's designers, who had to ignore the present and think ten or twenty years in the future, recognized that concern over resource conservation would not go away. They also foresaw another concern, one more pressing in Europe than in the US: congestion of highways and, even more, the centers of cities and towns. Ghia's creation of the Zig and Zag concepts suggested there are solutions to these concerns that still preserve owners' and drivers' enthusiasm for their transportation, solutions that accommodate the exigencies of resource preservation without making transportation an appliance-like function. The underlying intent was to demonstrate that economy - in operation, in parking space and in traffic density - could be achieved without sacrificing the enjoyment and satisfaction of quick and sporting driving. Mr. Filippo Sapino, Managing Director of Ghia, at the time observed, "The purpose in creating these two advanced vehicles was to develop and present the potential design extremes of a family of exciting, package-efficient vehicles. One is an open top sports car and at the other end of the spectrum, a spacious multi-purpose leisure vehicle." Ghia's choice of Black and White exterior colors is significant as the pair of concepts were created to demonstrate opposite ends of the design spectrum. "Our designers felt that it was important to develop a 'pair' of colors in order to reinforce the relationship between the two," Mr. Sapino said at the time. Ghia Zig and Ghia Zag are complementary concepts that contemplate divergent lifestyle vehicles sharing major structural and powertrain elements and allowing niche vertical markets to be satisfied while still taking advantage of the economy of larger scale production. Ghia Zig is the twin who wants to enjoy the trip; Ghia Zag is the twin who wants stuff to use at the trip's end. While they have always been twins they are offered here separately. If separated after today's auction, they may become "lonely" for each other and it is hoped their new owners will occasionally reunite the Ghia twins to treat future generations of enthusiasts to the significance of Ghia's concept.
GHIA ZIG CONCEPT

Details
GHIA ZIG CONCEPT
1990

Mica black with royal blue fabric with neon green inserts

Ghia Zig shares its platform (in this case a Ford Fiesta), lower door and body panels with Ghia Zag, two elements in a system that Ghia's designers proposed could also include hatchbacks, sedans, pickups and delivery vans. With only a 2,230mm (87.8") wheelbase Ghia Zig starts out tiny. Ghia's designers then minimized its front and rear overhangs so its overall length was only 3,545mm (139.6"). The Ghia Zig two-seat sports body recalls classic sports-racing cars of the '50s and '60s. There is no top and the low windshield combines aspects of both classic open sports-racers and contemporary high performance motorcycles.
The Ghia Zig concept's sporty appearance is accentuated by its long sloping windscreen which extends far into and opens with the front-hinged engine cover. Each corner of the nose has seven small holes each containing fiber optic head and indicator light elements. The interior is a vivid contrast to the Ghia Zig mica black exterior, trimmed in brilliant blue fabric with neon green inserts. The passenger compartment is flanked by thick sculpted clear plastic bolsters that continue back to merge into small fins. The steering column and instrument pod are integrated; the instruments carry over the seats' blue and green theme with bright red accents. The center stack-mounted CD player is a mockup with an exposed compact disc. The disc is by Iskar Menarini; it isn't known if it plays. A tambour-style door behind the seats gives access to a storage compartment under the rear decklid which also opens for access. 16" wheels are featured, wearing CNC-cut unique pattern Goodyear P205/50R-16 tires that complement the Ghia Zig body shape.
The small rear deck fins incorporate high mounted stoplights and flow into the rear fascia just inboard of the taillights. Another array of fiber optic elements scatter like water droplets inboard of each taillight.
Ghia Zig is in very good condition for its age, showing some small paint defects and interior soiling. The doors work well and close flush with adjacent panels. All the panels, in fact, are smooth and fit precisely, attesting to the skill and craftsmanship of Ghia's artisans.
Ghia Zig has light-hearted style and excellent execution. It is one cool little barchetta.
Special notice
This lot has no reserve.