| Ferrari 340 America, 342 America, 375 America, 410 Superamerica, 400 Superamerica, 500 Superfast, 365 California | |
|---|---|
 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
| Production | 1950–1967 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | V12 |
Ferrari America is a series of flagshipgrand touringFerrari 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 alive axle in the rear, werefront-engined, and hadworm and sector steering.
Two models from the series, the410 and the400, were calledSuperamerica with the final model, the500 being called the superfast. The America series also includes the365 California.
| Ferrari 340 America | |
|---|---|
 Ferrari 340 America Vignale Spyder | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1950–1952 25 produced (two converted from 275 S) |
| Designer | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé 2-doorroadster |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.1 L (4,101.66 cc)LamprediV12 |
| Power output | 220 PS (217 hp; 162 kW) (340) |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) |
| Kerb weight | 900 kg (1,984 lb) (dry, berlinetta) |
The first America cars were called the340 and were produced between 1950 and 1952. The newLamprediV12 developed forFormula One racing was rated at 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp).[1] Originally only 23 units were built: 11 byVignale, eight byTouring, and four byGhia.[2]Giovanni Michelotti was tasked with the design work for the cars produced by Vignale. The first two Americas were converted from the275 S. In 1951, 340 America Vignale Berlinetta wonMille Miglia race driven byLuigi Villoresi. Three Touring barchettas were also entered that year but did not finish.[3]
The 340 America was succeeded by the 375 America.
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| Ferrari 342 America | |
|---|---|
 Ferrari 342 America Pinin Farina Coupé | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1952 6 produced |
| Designer | Carrozzeria Pinin Farina |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé 2-doorconvertible |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.1 L (4101.66 cc)LamprediV12 |
| Power output | 200 PS |
| Transmission | 4-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) |
Only six road cars were made: Vignale Cabriolet (designed byGiovanni Michelotti), twoPinin Farina 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 200 hp (147 kW). Last example, the Pinin Farina Cabriolet s/n 0248AL presented at 1953 New York Auto show, was upgraded to 4.5 L engine.[4] 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.[5] A Black Pinin Farina Cabriolet was owned byKing Leopold III of Belgium.
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| Ferrari 375 America | |
|---|---|
 1954 Ferrari 375 America Vignale Cabriolet | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1953–1954 12 made (two were converted from 250 Europa) |
| Designer |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé 2-doorroadster |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4,522.08 cc (4.5 L)Tipo 104LamprediV12 |
| Power output | 300 PS (296 hp; 221 kW) |
| Transmission | 4-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm (110.2 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) |
The 375 America was introduced in 1953 and aPinin 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 threeWeber 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).[6] 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 being250 Europas that were subsequently converted to 375 specifications (the 250 Europa and the 375 had a nearly identical wheelbase, chassis and mechanicals).[7] The majority of 375s had either three or five-window coupe bodies by Pinin Farina, thoughVignale bodied around three Coupés and one convertible.
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| Ferrari 410 Superamerica | |
|---|---|
 1959 410 Superamerica Pinin Farina Coupé | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1955–1959 35 made |
| Designer | Pinin Farina |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé 2-doorroadster |
| Related | Ferrari 410 S |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4,962.96 cc (5.0 L)Tipo 126LamprediV12 |
| Power output | 340–360 PS (335–355 hp; 250–265 kW) |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,600–2,800 mm (102.4–110.2 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) |
The410 Superamerica was introduced in 1955 and used the engine based on a single plug410 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 threeWeber 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 theGuinness Book of Records as the world's fastest production car.[8] 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.[9][10]
Each 410 Superamerica had custom bodywork, with a few byBoano andGhia but most by Ferrari stalwart,Pinin Farina. The price was extremely high—atUS$16,800, the 410 Superamerica offered at theNew York Auto Show by importerLuigi Chinetti was more than twice as expensive as theMercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing" exhibited byMax Hoffman. Due to its high price tag, the car was a sales disappointment. Just 35 units were built when production ended in 1959.[11] 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.
The 410 Superfast was also known as "Superfast I" and was based on the on 410 Superamerica chassis with 24-plug racing engine from410 S, prominent tailfins and bi-coloured body. It was unveiled at the 1956Paris Auto Show. The car had a shorter wheelbase of 2,600 mm (102.4 in).[12]
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.[13]
| Ferrari 400 Superamerica | |
|---|---|
 Series II Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupé | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1959–1964 47 made |
| Designer | Aldo Brovarone at Pinin Farina (Coupé Aerodinamico) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé 2-doorroadster |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3,967.44 cc (4.0 L)Tipo 163ColomboV12 |
| Power output | 340 PS (335 hp; 250 kW) |
| Transmission | 4-speedmanual withoverdrive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in)(series I) 2,600 mm (102.4 in)(series II) |
| Kerb weight | 1,250 kg (2,756 lb) (dry, coupé) |
The400 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-wheeldisc 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.[14]
A special one-off version of the 400 Superamerica, s/n 1517SA, was built in 1959 forGianni Agnelli. This car was also the very first of the 400 Superamericas. A very similar body with its characteristic square grille, was used onMaserati 5000 GT that was also built for Agnelli.[15]
Originally built as a Series I Ferrari 400 Superamerica Aerodinamico Pinin Farina Coupé, chassis no. 2207SA, was re-bodied and presented asSuperfast 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 theSuperfast III and presented at 1962 Geneva Motor Show and went through another final redesign final as theSuperfast IV. It was a styling concept for the upcoming500 Superfast model. Currently this show car can be seen on various events with its first styling.
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| Ferrari 500 Superfast | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1964–1966 36 produced |
| Designer | Aldo Brovarone atPininfarina |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé |
| Related | Ferrari 330 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4,962.96 cc (5.0 L)Tipo 208ColomboV12 |
| Power output | 400 PS (395 hp; 294 kW) |
| Transmission | 4-speedmanual withoverdrive 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
| Length | 4,820 mm (189.8 in) |
| Width | 1,730 mm (68.1 in) |
| Height | 1,280 mm (50.4 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,400 kg (3,086 lb) |
The final model in the flagship America series was the500 Superfast, first unveiled at the1964 Geneva Motor Show.[16] During development these cars were to be called "Superamerica", but the decision was made at the last moment to use "Superfast" instead.[citation needed]
The engine was a unique 4,962.96 cc (5 L)Ferrari Colombo V12 engine,[17] which had the same 108 mmbore 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-chokeWeber 40DCZ/6carburettors, the V12 produced up to 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) at 6,500 rpm and could push the car to 280 kilometres per hour (174 mph).[17] The chassis was very similar in construction to the contemporary330 GT 2+2, and bodywork was now done byPininfarina, with the cars being assembled inTurin. When leaving the factory the 500 Superfast originally fittedPirelli Cinturato CN72 205 VR15 tyres. Depending on options, each car took 4 to 6 months to complete.[18]
36 cars were made from 1964 to 1966, including 12 improved Series II models with a 5-speedtransmission in place of the earlier 4-speed plusoverdrive. 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-off330 GT 2+2 produced with a Superfast-style body forPrince Bernhard of The Netherlands. This one-off was sold at theBonhams' December 2003 Geneva auction for CHF 422,100 including premium.[19] Famous owners of the car includePrince Karim Aga Khan who bought the first 500 Superfast and theShah of Iran who owned two.[18]
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| Ferrari 365 California | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1966–1967 14 produced |
| Designer | Tom Tjaarda atPininfarina[20] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2+2convertible |
| Related | Ferrari 330 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4,390 cc (4.4 L)Tipo 217BColomboV12 |
| Power output | 320 PS (316 hp; 235 kW) |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
| Length | 4,900 mm (192.9 in) |
| Width | 1,780 mm (70.1 in) |
| Height | 1,330 mm (52.4 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,320 kg (2,910 lb) (dry) |
The365 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 the330's 4.0 LColombo unit but with an 81 mm bore. The 365 California used the same chassis as the 500 Superfast but with an evolutionarycabriolet body byPininfarina. Debuting at theGeneva 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,[21] 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.[22]
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