Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
The Ferrari 375 was introduced at the Paris Salon in 1953. During its production run which lasted until May of 1954, less than 45 examples of the 375 America were produced. The car was constructed for Ferrari's clientele who had the means to afford one of these beautiful creations. Since they were produced in limited numbers, the production took far longer than volume models.
Gioacchino Colombo started out being the primary builder of Ferrari's engines in the late in 1940's and a major contributor to the success of Ferrari. Aurelio Lambredi became his assistant in 1947. Lambredi soon became convinced that a large engine that was naturally aspirated would have better fuel economy and provide more power. Colombo was of the belief that smaller engine compiled with a supercharger would produce the better results. Ferrari tested Lambredi's idea and proved it to be successful. Lambredi was promoted to chief design engineer and Colombo returned to Alfa Romeo. The Lambredi engines were used in the ladder part of the 1950's.
Power was provided by a 4.5-liter Lampredi designed V-12 engine with either three twin choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF downdraughts, resulting in 300 horsepower. On all four corners were drum brakes, Borrani wire wheels accented the exterior of the vehicle, and a leaf spring suspension was used in the front and the rear. With the four-speed manual gearbox, the car could achieve a top speed of 150 mph and could race from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds.
Most Ferrari's were custom built cars. They were not mass-produced. Ferrari provided the engine and chassis while Italian coach builders provided the body. This meant the specifications varied. Engines also varied in horsepower rating, torque, and displacement.
In regards to the 375, Pinin Farina was tasked with building the bodywork for many of the models. The Pinin Farina design shared a similarity with the 250 Europa's. The dimensions of several automobiles were similar but their interiors, wings, bumpers and detailing were all unique.
The 375 MM was given its name after the famous 1000 mile race, the Mille Miglia. This limited production series was constructed in 1953 and 1954. The car was outfitted with a 4522 cc powerplant, a small increase in performance over the 4494 cc road-going version. The four-speed manual gearbox was fully synchronized and mounted to the engine. The front suspension was independent by parallel unequal length A-arms with a transverse leaf spring. The rear was sold with semi-elliptic springs and parallel trailing arms. This combination made the 375 MM perfect for high speed circuits and the open road. In total only 26 375 MM's had bodywork provided by Pinin Farina in either spyder or berlinetta configuration. One example received bodywork courteous of Ghia.
In 1954, a 375 Plus was entered in the grueling 24 Hours of LeMans. Powered by a 4.9 liter engine, it captured the overall victory.
Production of the 375 continued until 1955. Produced in limited numbers, their exclusivity in modern times is guaranteed. These wonderfully designed unique creations powered by the coveted Lampredi engines are a true time-tested testament of the work inspired by Enzo Ferrari and fostered by Italian ingenuity.
0490AM
Ferrari 375MM Berlinetta with chassis number 0490AM was bodied by Pinin Farina and used by Bernabelli as a road car. It was shown at the 1955 Turin Motor Show where its beauty was admired by many. It was painted ivory and black and sold to De Bickero.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
Gioacchino Colombo started out being the primary builder of Ferrari's engines in the late in 1940's and a major contributor to the success of Ferrari. Aurelio Lambredi became his assistant in 1947. Lambredi soon became convinced that a large engine that was naturally aspirated would have better fuel economy and provide more power. Colombo was of the belief that smaller engine compiled with a supercharger would produce the better results. Ferrari tested Lambredi's idea and proved it to be successful. Lambredi was promoted to chief design engineer and Colombo returned to Alfa Romeo. The Lambredi engines were used in the ladder part of the 1950's.
Power was provided by a 4.5-liter Lampredi designed V-12 engine with either three twin choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF downdraughts, resulting in 300 horsepower. On all four corners were drum brakes, Borrani wire wheels accented the exterior of the vehicle, and a leaf spring suspension was used in the front and the rear. With the four-speed manual gearbox, the car could achieve a top speed of 150 mph and could race from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds.
Most Ferrari's were custom built cars. They were not mass-produced. Ferrari provided the engine and chassis while Italian coach builders provided the body. This meant the specifications varied. Engines also varied in horsepower rating, torque, and displacement.
In regards to the 375, Pinin Farina was tasked with building the bodywork for many of the models. The Pinin Farina design shared a similarity with the 250 Europa's. The dimensions of several automobiles were similar but their interiors, wings, bumpers and detailing were all unique.
The 375 MM was given its name after the famous 1000 mile race, the Mille Miglia. This limited production series was constructed in 1953 and 1954. The car was outfitted with a 4522 cc powerplant, a small increase in performance over the 4494 cc road-going version. The four-speed manual gearbox was fully synchronized and mounted to the engine. The front suspension was independent by parallel unequal length A-arms with a transverse leaf spring. The rear was sold with semi-elliptic springs and parallel trailing arms. This combination made the 375 MM perfect for high speed circuits and the open road. In total only 26 375 MM's had bodywork provided by Pinin Farina in either spyder or berlinetta configuration. One example received bodywork courteous of Ghia.
In 1954, a 375 Plus was entered in the grueling 24 Hours of LeMans. Powered by a 4.9 liter engine, it captured the overall victory.
Production of the 375 continued until 1955. Produced in limited numbers, their exclusivity in modern times is guaranteed. These wonderfully designed unique creations powered by the coveted Lampredi engines are a true time-tested testament of the work inspired by Enzo Ferrari and fostered by Italian ingenuity.
0490AM
Ferrari 375MM Berlinetta with chassis number 0490AM was bodied by Pinin Farina and used by Bernabelli as a road car. It was shown at the 1955 Turin Motor Show where its beauty was admired by many. It was painted ivory and black and sold to De Bickero.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este
Pre-Auction Estimates :
€3,200,000-€4,200,000
Sale Price :
USD $4,792,771 (€ 3,360,000.00)
Recent Sales of the Ferrari 375 MM Speciale
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta by Pinin Farina Chassis#: 0490 AM Sold for USD$4,792,771 2011 RM Auctions - Villa d'Este |
Ferrari 375 MM Speciales That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Ferrari 375 MM Speciale's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 Ferrari 375 MM Coupe Speciale by Ghia | 0476 AM | 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $5,000,000 | $7,000,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $4,792,771 range.
1914 MERCER TYPE 35-J RACEABOUT Chassis#:1967 Sold for $4,790,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 Formula 1 Chassis#:25A-01 Sold for $4,730,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Sealed Bid | |
1912 Simplex 50HP 5 Passenger Torpedo Tourer Chassis#:834 Sold for $4,845,000 2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction | |
2018 BMW M4 GT4 Chassis#:WBS4Y9C50JAC86669 Sold for $4,625,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing Chassis#:198.043.5500786 Sold for $5,010,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1935 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Rollston Chassis#:2576 Sold for $4,680,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1996 Ferrari F50 Chassis#:105265 Sold for $4,596,323 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1968 Porsche 907 usine Chassis#:907-031 Sold for $4,849,023 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pinin Farina Chassis#:0849 GT Sold for $5,002,319 2021 RM Sothebys : The Guikas Collection | |
1934 MERCEDES-BENZ 500/540K (FACTORY UPGRADE) SPEZIAL ROADSTER Chassis#:105136 Sold for $4,900,000 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica Chassis#:57512 Sold for $4,735,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
2015 Koenigsegg One:1 Chassis#:YT9LK1A38EA007111 Sold for $4,617,809 2019 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | |
1966 Serenissima Spyder Chassis#:005 Sold for $4,800,587 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II Chassis#:0556 (0446) MD Sold for $5,005,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1957 Porsche 550A Spyder Chassis#:550A-0116 Sold for $4,900,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1993 McLaren-Cosworth Ford MP4/8A Formula racing Single-Seater Chassis#:MP4/8-6 Sold for $5,009,294 2018 Bonhams : The Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco' | |
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet Chassis#:1475 GT Sold for $4,840,000 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale par Pininfarina Chassis#:0840 Sold for $4,679,771 2017 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1928 MERCEDES-BENZ TYP S 26/120/180 SUPERCHARGED SPORTS TOURER Chassis#:35323 Sold for $4,812,500 2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ | |
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari Chassis#:ZFF76ZFA8E0207195 Sold for $4,700,000 2016 Mecum : Monterey |
1955 Ferrari 375 MM Speciale
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery