- Source: Ferrari America
Ferrari America is a series of flagship grand touring Ferrari models primarily built for the North American market in the 1950s and 1960s. The America models were equipped with large V12 engines and often had custom bodywork done by famous coachbuilders in Italy. All America models used a live axle in the rear, were front-engined, and had worm and sector steering.
Two models from the series, the 410 and the 400, were called Superamerica with the final model, the 500 being called the superfast. The America series also includes the 365 California.
340 and 342 America
The first America cars were called the 340 and were produced between 1950 and 1952. The new Lampredi V12 developed for Formula One racing was rated at 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp). Originally only 23 units were built: 11 by Vignale, eight by Touring, and four by Ghia. Giovanni Michelotti was tasked with the design work for the cars produced by Vignale. The first two Americas were converted from the 275 S. In 1951, 340 America Vignale Berlinetta won Mille Miglia race driven by Luigi Villoresi. Three Touring barchettas were also entered that year but did not finish.
The 340/342 America was succeeded by the 375 America.
= 342 America
=Only six units of the 342 America were made: Vignale Cabriolet (designed by Giovanni Michelotti), two Pinin Farina Cabriolets and three Pinin Farina Coupés. The 342 used the same Lampredi-designed engine as in the 340 America with a different carburettor air-filter arrangement and thus was detuned to 200 hp (147 kW). The last example, a Pinin Farina Cabriolet s/n 0248AL which was presented at the 1953 New York Auto show, was upgraded to 4.5 L engine. Both the 340 and the 342 America used the even chassis numbers associated with Ferrari race cars, while the 375 America succeeding models used odd chassis numbers pertaining to road cars. A Black Pinin Farina Cabriolet was owned by King Leopold III of Belgium.
375 America
The 375 America was introduced in 1953 and a Pinin Farina bodied example was shown at that year's Paris Salon. Built as a successor to the 342 America, The 375 used the new 4,522.08 cc (4.5 L) "long block" Lampredi designed V12 engine that was rated at 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) at 6,300 rpm, with three Weber 40DCF (or DCZ) carburettors. The stated performance figures were a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time in under seven seconds and a top speed of almost 160 mph (257 km/h). The 375 began the tradition of using the off chassis numbers of road cars contrary to its predecessors which used even chassis numbers pertaining to race cars. The expensive and exclusive 375 was only built from late 1953 through 1954 and 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 the 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 bodied around three Coupés and one convertible.
410 Superamerica
The 410 Superamerica was introduced in 1955 and used the engine based on a single plug 410 S powerplant. The engine had an increased displacement up to 4,962.96 cc (5.0 L) and was rated at 340 PS (250 kW; 335 hp) at 6,000 rpm thanks to three Weber 40DCF carburettors. The 410 Superamerica had a new chassis, featuring independent coil spring front suspension and was the first Ferrari road car to use a five speed gearbox. The car had a listed top speed of 163 mph (262 km/h) and was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest production car. In 1957, the carburetors were upgraded for Weber 46DCF3 units which resulted in an increased power output of 360 PS (265 kW; 355 hp). This uprated engine was fitted to the Series III 410 Superamerica and marked the final development for the 'long-block' Lampredi V12.
Each 410 Superamerica had custom bodywork, with a few by Boano and Ghia but most by Ferrari stalwart, Pinin Farina. The price was extremely high—at US$16,800, the 410 Superamerica offered at the New York Auto Show by importer Luigi Chinetti was more than twice as expensive as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing" exhibited by Max Hoffman. Due to its high price tag, the car was a sales disappointment. Just 35 units were built when production 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 with the headlights in some cars being covered. While the Series III, introduced in 1959, had 3 louvres behind side-windows, some have this space covered with glass.
= 410 Superfast Pinin Farina Speciale
=The 410 Superfast was also known as "Superfast I" and was based on the 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 car had a shorter wheelbase of 2,600 mm (102.4 in).
= 4.9 Superfast
=The 4.9 Superfast was a one-off based on the 410 Superamerica chassis and engine. Presented in Paris in 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.
400 Superamerica
The 400 Superamerica debuted in 1959 as the production of the 410 ended, and was available as a coupe, spider, or cabriolet with custom Pinin Farina bodywork. It had the smaller 3,967.44 cc (4.0 L) Colombo engine, which had similar power output as its predecessor at 340 PS (250 kW; 335 hp) at 7,000 rpm. Four-wheel disc brakes were a new addition. 47 units of the 400 Superamerica been built in two series of which 32 were the coupé aerodinamico variant. The Series I coupés aerodinamico had open hood air scoop while series II cars had covered scoop and slightly longer wheelbase. Production of the 400 Superamerica ended in 1964.
= 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. 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 that was also built for Agnelli.
= 400 Superamerica Superfast II–IV
=Originally built as a Series I Ferrari 400 Superamerica Aerodinamico Pinin Farina Coupé, chassis no. 2207SA, was re-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, the car was re-bodied into the Superfast III and presented at 1962 Geneva Motor Show and went through another final redesign final as the 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.
500 Superfast
The final model in the flagship America series was the 500 Superfast, first unveiled at the 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 4,962.96 cc (5 L) 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 40DCZ/6 carburettors, the V12 produced upto 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) at 6,500 rpm and could push the car to 280 kilometres per hour (174 mph). The chassis was very similar in construction to the contemporary 330 GT 2+2, and bodywork was now done by Pininfarina, with the cars being assembled in Turin. When leaving the factory the 500 Superfast originally fitted Pirelli Cinturato CN72 205 VR15 tyres. Depending on options, each car took 4 to 6 months to complete.
36 cars were made from 1964 to 1966, including 12 improved Series II models with a 5-speed transmission in place of the earlier 4-speed plus overdrive. The Series II cars can be recognized by having a triple louvre exhaust vent behind the front wheels, rather than the earlier 11-slot grilles. Unlike its predecessors, the 500 Superfast was only produced in the 2+2 coupe body style. The production total excludes a one-off 330 GT 2+2 produced with a Superfast-style body for Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands. This one-off was sold at the Bonhams' December 2003 Geneva auction for CHF 422,100 including premium. Famous owners of the car include Prince Karim Aga Khan who bought the first 500 Superfast and the Shah of Iran who owned two.
365 California
The 365 California replaced the 500 Superfast in 1966 and was built on the same ethos as the 250GT Spyder. It was the first model in the 365 series of cars, with its 4,390 cc (268 cu in) V12 based on the 330's 4.0 L Colombo unit but with an 81 mm bore. The 365 California used the same chassis as the 500 Superfast but with an evolutionary cabriolet body by Pininfarina. Debuting at the Geneva Motor Show 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 the type 598 chassis. The chassis were sent to Pininfarina's Grugliasco plant to be bodied and trimmed and were then returned to Ferrari for fitment of the mechanical components. Desirable performance components like power steering and Borrani wire wheels were standard-equipment on the 365 California.
References
= Bibliography
=Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84425-581-8.
Buckley, Martin; Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing. ISBN 1-84038-083-7.
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
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