Today, glossy magazines and online galleries are filled with photos of Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie or Emma Watson. But the glitz and glamor would be impossible without a star, the original star. For millions of fans from around the world, Rita Hayworth was the goddess of the 1940s and for decades more after that.
"Gilda" was sharp and bold, open about her beauty and its affect on men. But her personal life was just as tumultuous as her on-screen one. Yet we're not here to talk about female beauty from a bygone era, since the subject of discussion is a Cadillac that once belonged to her and withstood the test of time.
The second of only two such cars created by famous coachbuilder Ghia, this 1954 classic is almost as unique as its owner. What was probably an average Series 62 chassis now looks more like a European sportscar and it wouldn't look out of place next to a Ferrari or Jaguar.
After trading hands many times, it was eventually bought from an European importer by the Petersen Auto Museum and restored. White the original color is totally unknown, the earliest photo that exists of the car shows it in white, but publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen decided to change it to a darker tone that better suits the lines and the chrome.
As if belonging to one of the most famous Hollywood goddesses wasn't enough, the Cadillac was reportedly bought by a Syrian prince. As the museum curator says in the video, Prince Aly Khan bought this car for Rita as a gift even though they had separated after a 4-year marriage because he wanted to get back together with her.
Rita Hayworth's Cadillac Ghia is the sort of car that makes you wish couchbuilding made a comeback. But classic beauty doesn't hold as much water these days, so we're not holding our breath.
The second of only two such cars created by famous coachbuilder Ghia, this 1954 classic is almost as unique as its owner. What was probably an average Series 62 chassis now looks more like a European sportscar and it wouldn't look out of place next to a Ferrari or Jaguar.
After trading hands many times, it was eventually bought from an European importer by the Petersen Auto Museum and restored. White the original color is totally unknown, the earliest photo that exists of the car shows it in white, but publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen decided to change it to a darker tone that better suits the lines and the chrome.
As if belonging to one of the most famous Hollywood goddesses wasn't enough, the Cadillac was reportedly bought by a Syrian prince. As the museum curator says in the video, Prince Aly Khan bought this car for Rita as a gift even though they had separated after a 4-year marriage because he wanted to get back together with her.
Rita Hayworth's Cadillac Ghia is the sort of car that makes you wish couchbuilding made a comeback. But classic beauty doesn't hold as much water these days, so we're not holding our breath.