The unique piece was designed by Virgil Exner, one of those automobile designers who helped shape the opulent US road cruiser look of the 1950s. Exner joined Chrysler in 1949 and the Diablo was one of the creations that were prototypical of his ideas. As the basis for the brilliant convertible Exner chose a Chrysler Dart from 1950. On this platform, the Italian body builder Ghia, which was shaping various Chrysler show cars at the time, made the Diablo according to Exner's instructions.