Ferrari Ferrari S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988) in 1939 from the Alfa Romeo racing division as ''Auto Avio Costruzioni'', the company built its first car in ...

live axle A beam axle, rigid axle or solid axle is a dependent suspension design in which a set of wheels is connected laterally by a single beam or shaft. Beam axles were once commonly used at the rear wheels of a vehicle, but historically they have als ...

worm and sector Recirculating ball, also known as recirculating ball and nut or worm and sector, is a steering mechanism commonly found in older automobiles, off-road vehicles, and some trucks. Most newer cars use the more economical rack and pinion steering ins ...

400 __NOTOC__ Year 400 ( CD) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. In the Roman Empire, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Stilicho and Aurelianus (or, less frequently, year 11 ...

V12 V12 or V-12 may refer to: Aircraft * Mil V-12, a Soviet heavy lift helicopter * Pilatus OV-12, a planned American military utility aircraft * Rockwell XFV-12, an American experimental aircraft project * Škoda-Kauba V12, a Czechoslovak experim ...

Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Touring, and four by

Ghia Carrozzeria Ghia SpA (established 1916 in Turin) is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Marconi, 4, Turin ...

.

Giovanni Michelotti Giovanni Michelotti (6 October 1921 – 23 January 1980) was one of the most prolific designers of sports cars in the 20th century. His notable contributions were for Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati and Triumph marques. He was also associated with ...

designed Coupé and 2+2 Coupé for Ghia and Coupé and Spider for Vignale. The first two Americas were converted from the 275 S. In 1951, 340 America Vignale Berlinetta won

Mille Miglia The Mille Miglia (, ''Thousand Miles'') was an open-road, motorsport endurance race established in 1927 by the young Counts Francesco Mazzotti and Aymo Maggi, which took place in Italy twenty-four times from 1927 to 1957 (thirteen before World ...

race driven by

Luigi Villoresi Luigi Villoresi (16 May 1909 – 24 August 1997) was an Italian Grand Prix motor racing driver who continued racing on the Formula One circuit at the time of its inception. Biography Born in Milan, Lombardy, and nicknamed "Gigi", he was the older ...

. Three Touring barchettas were also entered that year but did not finish. The 340/342 America was replaced by its larger-engined brother, the 375 America. File:1951 Ferrari 340 America (1).jpg, Ferrari 340 America Touring Berlinetta File:1951-04-28-Ferrari340-0082A-MilleMiglia-Villoresi.jpg, Ferrari 340 America Vignale Coupé that won 1951 Mille Miglia File:Ferrari 340 America front - Flick - Concorso Italiano 2004.jpg, Ferrari 340 America Ghia Coupé

342 America

Only six road cars were made: Vignale Cabriolet (designed by

Giovanni Michelotti Giovanni Michelotti (6 October 1921 – 23 January 1980) was one of the most prolific designers of sports cars in the 20th century. His notable contributions were for Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati and Triumph marques. He was also associated with ...

), two

Pinin Farina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

Cabriolets and three Pinin Farina Coupés. Using the same Lampredi-designed engine as in 340 America with a different carburettor air filter arrangement and thus was detuned to . Last example, the Pinin Farina Cabriolet s/n 0248AL presented at 1953 New York Auto show, was upgraded to 4.5 L engine. Both 340/342 Americas used even chassis numbering of a race cars, while 375 America and later used odd chassis numbering of a road cars. A Black Pinin Farina Cabriolet was owned by

King Leopold III Leopold III (3 November 1901 – 25 September 1983) was King of the Belgians from 23 February 1934 until his abdication on 16 July 1951. At the outbreak of World War II, Leopold tried to maintain Belgian neutrality, but after the German invasi ...

of Belgium. File:Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim Ferrari 342 America by 2eight DSC5581.jpg File:ATMS 07 - Ferrari.jpg File:Ferrari 342 1953 America LSide SATM 05June2013 (14598715104).jpg File:Ferrari 1952 342 America Pinin Farina Front Right on Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance 2011 -Moto@Club4AG.jpg File:Ferrari 1952 342 America Pinin Farina Rear on Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance 2011 -Moto@Club4AG.jpg File:1952 Ferrari 342 America Pinin Farina coupé, front right (2019 Greenwich Concours).jpg File:1952 Ferrari 342 America Pinin Farina coupé, rear left (2019 Greenwich Concours).jpg File:Ferrari 1952 342 America (1).jpg File:Ferrari 1952 342 America (2).jpg File:Ferrari 342 America PF Cabriolet (interior).jpg File:Ferrari 342 America PF Cabriolet (1).jpg File:Ferrari 342 America PF Cabriolet (2).jpg

375 America

The 375 America was introduced in 1953 and a

Pinin Farina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

bodied example was shown at that year's Paris Salon. Built as a successor to the 342 America, The 375 used the new 4.5 L (4,522 cc) "long block" Lampredi designed V12 engine that produced up to at 6300 rpm, with three

Weber Weber (, or ; German: ) is a surname of German origin, derived from the noun meaning " weaver". In some cases, following migration to English-speaking countries, it has been anglicised to the English surname 'Webber' or even 'Weaver'. Notable pe ...

40DCF (or DCZ) carburettors, and allowed it do 0-60 mph in under seven seconds and reach a top speed of almost 160 mph (257.5 kmh). The 375 and later used odd chassis numbering of a road cars, while the 340/342 Americas using even chassis numbering of a race cars. The 375 was expensive and exclusive and was only built from late 1953 through 1954. 12 cars were made, with ten being original 375s and two being 250 Europas that were subsequently converted to 375 specifications (the 250 Europa and 375 had a nearly identical wheelbase, chassis and mechanicals). The majority of 375s had either three or five-window coupe bodies by Pinin Farina, though

Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe. File:Ferrari 375 Vignale 2.jpg, 1953 Ferrari 375 America with bodywork by Carrozzeria

Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Aldo Brovarone Aldo Brovarone (24 June 1926 – 12 October 2020) was an Italian automobile designer and the chief stylist with Carrozzeria Pininfarina (1974-1988) – widely known for a prominent range of work including the Dino 206 GT, Lancia Gamma Coup ...

at Pinin Farina for

Gianni Agnelli Giovanni "Gianni" Agnelli (; 12 March 192124 January 2003), nicknamed ("The Lawyer"), was an Italian industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat. As the head of Fiat, he controlled 4.4% of Italy's GDP, 3.1% of its industrial workforce a ...

File:Ferrari (3158191850).jpg, 1955 Ferrari 375 America Coupé Speciale by Pinin Farina

410 Superamerica

Ferrari produced another line of America cars, beginning with the 1955 410 Superamerica. The engine, based on a single plug 410 S powerplant, was now up to 5.0 L with at 6,000 rpm produced thanks to triple

Weber Weber (, or ; German: ) is a surname of German origin, derived from the noun meaning " weaver". In some cases, following migration to English-speaking countries, it has been anglicised to the English surname 'Webber' or even 'Weaver'. Notable pe ...

40DCF carburettors. A 1957 Superamerica series III had triple 46DCF3 Webers for even more power () and was also the final development for the 'long-block' Lampredi V12. Each 410 Superamerica had custom bodywork, with a few by

Boano Boano Island is an island in West Seram Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia. It is located off the northern coast of the Hoamoal Peninsula at the western end of Seram Island, across the Boano Strait. The inhabitants speak the Boano language, ...

and

Ghia Carrozzeria Ghia SpA (established 1916 in Turin) is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Marconi, 4, Turin ...

but most by Ferrari stalwart,

Pinin Farina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

. The price was extremely high—at

US$ The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...

16,800, the 410 Superamerica offered at the

New York Auto Show The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Su ...

by importer

Luigi Chinetti Luigi Chinetti (July 17, 1901 – August 17, 1994) was an Italian-born racecar driver, who emigrated to the United States during World War II. He drove in 12 consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans races, taking three outright wins there and taking two ...

was more than twice as expensive as the

Mercedes-Benz 300SL The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (chassis code W 198) is a two-seat sports car which was produced by Mercedes-Benz as a gullwinged coupe (1954–1957) and roadster (1957–1963).Werner Oswald: ''Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen 1945–1985''. Motorbuch Ve ...

"Gullwing" exhibited by

Max Hoffman Maximilian Edwin Hoffman (12 November 1904 in Vienna, Austria – 9 August 1981), was an Austrian-born, New York-based importer of luxury European automobiles into the United States during the 1950s. Known equally for his acumen and influe ...

. Just 35 were built when the series ended in 1959. First 2 series of Pinin Farina coupés were very similar with only 3rd series radically redesigned with non-panoramic rear window, different side-line, lower front grille and more recessed headlights, some covered. While most 3rd series PF coupés had 3 louvres behind side-windows, some have this space glassed over. Series III cars were introduced in 1958.

410 Superfast Pinin Farina Speciale

Also known as "Superfast I", made on 410 Superamerica chassis with 24-plug racing engine from 410 S, prominent tailfins and bi-coloured body. It was unveiled at the 1956

Paris Auto Show The Paris Motor Show (french: Mondial de l'Automobile) is a biennial auto show in Paris. Held during October, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show presently take ...

. Wheelbase was shorter at 2,600 mm.

4.9 Superfast

Another show car based on 410 Superamerica chassis and engine was Ferrari 4.9 Superfast. First time presented in Paris, 1957, this car was an evolution of 410 Superfast but without the prominent rear fins. Also the colours were similar but with dark blue-green full body and white roof. File:1954 Ferrari 410 0477SA.jpg, Ferrari 410 Superamerica by Boano s/n 0477SA File:1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica - fvr2.jpg, Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series I by Pinin Farina File:2021 Pebble Tour Ferrari 410 0483SA.jpg, Ferrari 410 Superfast by Pinin Farina File:Ferrari 410 Superamerica.jpg, Ferrari 4.9 Superfast by Pinin Farina

400 Superamerica

The 400 Superamerica had a smaller 4.0 L ''

Colombo Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo me ...

'' engine, but produced as much power as its predecessor, at 7,000 rpm. It debuted in 1959 as 410 production ended, and was available as a coupe, spider, or cabriolet with custom Pinin Farina bodywork. Four-wheel

disc brake A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hol ...

s were a new addition. 47 Ferrari 400s had been built, along 2 series, when the 400 stepped aside in 1964, of which 32 were coupé aerodinamico variant. Series I coupés aerodinamico had open hood air scoop while series II cars had covered scoop and slightly longer wheelbase.

400 Superamerica Pinin Farina Coupé Speciale

A special one-off version of the 400 Superamerica, s/n 1517SA, was built in 1959 for

Gianni Agnelli Giovanni "Gianni" Agnelli (; 12 March 192124 January 2003), nicknamed ("The Lawyer"), was an Italian industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat. As the head of Fiat, he controlled 4.4% of Italy's GDP, 3.1% of its industrial workforce a ...

. This car was also the very first of the 400 Superamericas. A very similar body with its characteristic square grille, was used on

Maserati 5000 GT The Maserati 5000 GT is a 2-door coupé car, made by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati from 1959–1966. A total of thirty-four were produced with bodies made by eight different Italian coach builders. The first car in the ''Tipo 103'' ser ...

that was also built for Sig. Agnelli.

400 Superamerica Superfast II–IV

Originally built as series I Ferrari 400 Superamerica Aerodinamico Pinin Farina Coupé, chassis no. 2207SA, was bodied and presented as ''Superfast II'' at the Torino Motor Show in 1960 and 1961. It was used by Battista "Pinin" Farina as his personal car. In 1961 rebodied into ''Superfast III'' and presented at 1962 Geneva Motor Show. Same year redesigned another, final, time as ''Superfast IV''. It was a styling concept for the upcoming 500 Superfast model. Currently this show car can be seen on various events with its first styling. File:Ferrari 400 Superamerica fl.jpg, Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series II by

Pinin Farina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

File:1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica.jpg, Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale by Pinin Farina for

Gianni Agnelli Giovanni "Gianni" Agnelli (; 12 March 192124 January 2003), nicknamed ("The Lawyer"), was an Italian industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat. As the head of Fiat, he controlled 4.4% of Italy's GDP, 3.1% of its industrial workforce a ...

File:1960-10-03 Stupinigi Ferrari 400 2207SA Battista.jpg, Ferrari Superfast II with

Battista Farina Battista "Pinin" Farina (later Battista Pininfarina; 2 November 1893 – 3 April 1966) was an Italian automobile designer and the founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company, a name associated with many well known postwar c ...

File:1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet (44702502321).jpg, Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet by Pinin Farina

500 Superfast

The end of the top-line America series was the 500 Superfast, first shown on the Pininfarina stand at the March 1964 Geneva Motor Show. During development these cars were to be called "Superamerica", but the decision was made at the last moment to use "Superfast" instead. The engine was a unique Ferrari Colombo V12 engine, which had the same 108 mm bore center dimensions as the Lampredi "long-block" engines of the 410 Superamerica, otherwise the design was based on the original Colombo "short block". Breathing through six twin-choke

Weber Weber (, or ; German: ) is a surname of German origin, derived from the noun meaning " weaver". In some cases, following migration to English-speaking countries, it has been anglicised to the English surname 'Webber' or even 'Weaver'. Notable pe ...

40DCZ/6

carburettor A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meterin ...

s, the V12 produced at 6,500 rpm and could push the car to . The chassis was very similar in construction to the contemporary 330 GT 2+2, and bodywork was again done by Pininfarina. When leaving the factory the 500 Superfast originally fitted Pirelli Cinturato CN72 205 VR15 tyres. 36 cars were made from 1964 to 1966, including 12 improved models with a 5-speed

transmission Transmission may refer to: Medicine, science and technology * Power transmission ** Electric power transmission ** Propulsion transmission, technology allowing controlled application of power *** Automatic transmission *** Manual transmission *** ...

in place of the earlier 4-speed plus

overdrive Overdrive may refer to: Organizations * OverDrive, Inc., a digital distributor of entertainment media ** OverDrive Media Console, a media player developed by OverDrive, Inc. * Overdrive PC, a subsidiary of Velocity Micro Technology * Overdrive ...

. This production total excludes a one-off 330 GT 2+2 produced with a Superfast-style body for

Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...

. This one-off car sold at

Bonhams Bonhams is a privately owned international auction house and one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. It was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. This brought to ...

' December 2003 Geneva auction for CHF 422,100 inc. premium. Only coupés were made and no Superfast roadsters were available. File:1965 Ferrari Superfast Coupe - blue - rvl.jpg, Rear three-quarters view of a 500 Superfast

365 California

The 365 California replaced the 500 Superfast for 1966. It was the first 365 model, with its

V12 V12 or V-12 may refer to: Aircraft * Mil V-12, a Soviet heavy lift helicopter * Pilatus OV-12, a planned American military utility aircraft * Rockwell XFV-12, an American experimental aircraft project * Škoda-Kauba V12, a Czechoslovak experim ...

based on the 330's 4.0 L ''

Colombo Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo me ...

'' unit but with an 81 mm bore. The 365 California used the same chassis as the 500 Superfast but with an evolutionary

cabriolet A convertible or cabriolet () is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place. The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary among eras and manufacturers. A convertible car's design allows an open-air driving expe ...

body by

Pininfarina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

. Debuting at the

Geneva Motor Show The Geneva International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. The Salon is organised by th ...

in 1966, just 14 examples were produced (including 2 in right hand drive) before production ended in 1967. Whilst the prototype was built on a 330 GT 2+2 type 571 chassis, production cars featured type 598 chassis. Chassis' were sent to Pininfarina's Grugliasco plant to be bodied and trimmed which were later returned to Ferrari for fitment of the mechanical components. File:Ferrari 1967 365 California (9062327161).jpg, Ferrari 365 California

References

Bibliography

* *

External links

Ferrari 340 America: Ferrari History

Ferrari 375 America: Ferrari History

Ferrari 410 Superamerica: Ferrari History

Ferrari 400 Superamerica: Ferrari History

Ferrari 500 Superfast: Ferrari History

Ferrari 365 California: Ferrari History
{{Scuderia Ferrari

America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

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