Ferrari 375 Plus

The Ferrari 375 Plus was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1954. The model competed internationally, winning many major races, including 24 Hours of Le Mans, Carrera Panamericana, 1000km of Buenos Aires, Agadir GP and Silverstone.

Specifications

Engine and transmission

The Ferrari 375 Plus received the new '' Lampredi'' V12 engine with displacement enlarged to almost 5-litres. This new ''tipo 113'' was partially based on the 375 MM with its 84 mm of bore and combined 74.5 mm of stroke from the 375 Formula One car. The resulting capacity was . Most cars could produce at 6000 rpm and some even up to 345 PS. This was enough for a top speed of 280 km/h. The engine had a single spark plug per cylinder configuration with two magnetos and was fed by three Weber 46DCF/3 carburettors. A single camshaft per cylinder bank was standard for the ''Lampredi'' V12s, unlike dry sump lubrication adopted for the last of the 'long-block' powered models: the 375 Plus and the 410 S. A 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual gearbox was used, mounted en bloc with differential.

Chassis and suspension

Although the wheelbase on the 375 Plus and its predecessor, the 375 MM, was the same at , the chassis was of a new ''type 505''. Also created of a steel tubes, elliptical in section. The front suspension was the same as on the previous models, independent with unequal-length wishbones and transverse leaf springs. The rear suspension however received a new de Dion axle, twin radius arms with transverse leaf springs and Houdaille shock absorbers in place of an old live axle with semi-elliptical springs. New setup greatly improved balance and road-holding. The fuel tank had 190 litres fuel capacity, especially welcomed on long-distance races. Drum brakes were standard all round.

Bodywork was an evolution of the 375 MM Pinin Farina Spyder style with an exception of a bigger fuel tank bulge in the rear. One car, s/n 0478AM, was converted from 375 MM and rebodied by Sutton.

Cabriolet

A one-off, two-seater Cabriolet was created on a 375 Plus' chassis, s/n 0488AM. King Leopold III of Belgium commissioned its creation to Pinin Farina. They created an elegant and stately gran tourer with an imposing front portion and unusually wide front grille. This special road-going Cabriolet was left-hand drive, received covered headlamps and was completed in 1955. Finished in black over ivory leather interior it was repainted red at a one point in its history.

Racing

The Ferrari 375 Plus debuted slowly at first, not finishing the Giro di Sicilia nor the Mille Miglia races. José Froilán González and Maurice Trintignant won the 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans, for the first time since 1949, ahead of the works Jaguar D-type. The Agadir GP and the Silverstone International were also won by the 375 Plus. The most significant victory however was the Umberto Magliolis 1954 Carrera Panamericana. It would also be the last as the race was cancelled next year due to the Le Mans disaster. The 1954 World Sportscar Championship was achieved by Ferrari in due honour of 375 Plus that won two out of six rounds. The last major victory was at the 1955 1000 km Buenos Aires. That year, the World Sportscar Championship was dominated by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.

The 375 Plus also won many races in both North and South Americas. In 1957-1958 Dan Gurney in 375 Plus scored wins in Paramount Ranch and Palm Springs and a second place in Grand Prix Riverside, part of 1958 United States Grand Prix for Sports Cars.

Collectability

Low production numbers and undisputed racing pedigree makes the 375 Plus highly collectable and sought after. S/n 0384AM, Ferrari works car from the Mille Miglia, Le Mans and Silverstone was offered by Bonhams at the "Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale" auction and sold for £10.7 million in 2014. S/n 0398TF is part of Ralph Lauren Collection, who purchased the car in 1990.

References

Bibliography

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External links

{{Early Ferrari vehicles

375 Plus
Sports racing cars
24 Hours of Le Mans race cars
Le Mans winning cars
Carrera Panamericana