1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe Aerodynamica

Ferrari's new top-of-the-line gran turismo was introduced at the 1960 Brussels Motor Show. The new 400 retained the 'Superamerica' moniker of the 410 and it shared little with its immediate predecessor. The 400 SA was based largely on the well-developed 250 series and given many noteworthy mechanical refinements including four-wheel disc brakes, telescopic shock absorbers and a fully synchronized gearbox with overdrive. The most significant change was the engine. The early 'America' models used the Lampredi long-block, which Ferrari ceased production in 1959 in exchange for a much larger variation of the Colombo V-12. The engine displaced 4-liters and fitted with three Weber carburetors produced as much power as the outgoing 410 Superamerica. It also benefitted from improved low-RPM torque and ease of maintenance.

The Superfast II was introduced at the 1960 Torino Motor Show and it would directly impact the appearance of the 400 Superamericas. The wheelbase grew to 2600mm from 1961 on and many of the show car's aesthetic features were incorporated into Pininfarina's Coupe Aerodinamico.

The Coupe Aerodinamico had a tapered tail section, graceful and fluid lines, and a large greenhouse. The seats were upholstered in Connolly leather and they had a spacious luggage platform, a fluted headliner and an ample selection of gauges.

In total, there were just 35 examples of the 400 Superamerica built, with the series divided almost equally between Series I and Series II chassis.

This example, chassis number 3949 SA, was first owned by Erwin Goldschmidt of Stamford, Connecticut. In March of 1962, Goldschmidt ordered the 400 SA through Dr. Amerigo Manicardi, the director of sales at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. Goldschmidt specified his 400 Superamerica in Rosso Cina with black upholstery and matching black-faced gauges. The cockpit was outfitted with two pieces of fitted luggage for the parcel shelf and a central vertical bolster between the seats to provide additional seating for his children. The Pininfarina coachwork incorporated the covered-headlight treatment: Marchal driving lights in the front grille and extractor vents in the lower rear fenders.

The car was ordered with red trim on the seats, door panels and Wilton carpeting. Alloy grab handles on the passenger door were also specified.

The car was completed by Pininfarina on October 20th of 1962 and unveiled on the Ferrari show stand at the 44th annual Torino Motor Show at Parco Valentino, Italy. After its show duties were complete, it returned to the Ferrari factory, where the engine and gearbox were completed and the car was prepared for delivery. Before leaving the factory, the car was loaned to Pininfarina, who took a number of photographs for promotional purposes.

On March 11th of 1963, after having 1,300 miles on the odometer, the car was returned to the Ferrari Factory Assistenza Clienti in Modena. Once the work was completed, the car was shipped to New York and into the care of Mr. Goldschmidt. On April 1967, the car was displayed at the 4th annual FCA Meeting and Concours held at the Showboat Inn in Greenwich.

After Goldschmidt's death in 1970, ownership of the car passed to his son, Anthony. In late 1977, the car was treated to a complete mechanical and cosmetic restoration. The work lasted six months and included an overhaul of the major mechanical components, as well as paint and trimming.

In the Fall of 1979, 3949 SA was on the cover of Cavallino magazine, issue number 7.

The car was shown at the 1995 Newport Beach Concours and the FCA Nationals in 2002. It was also on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles during the late 1990s.

In 2003, after being with the Goldschmidt family for over four decades, the one-off Ferrari was sold to Arizonian Ron Pratte and soon passed into the hands of the current caretaker.

In 2006, the car was shown at the XV Palm Beach Cavallino Classic where it received an FCA Gold Award. In 2007 it took part in the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at Pebble Beach presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $1,750,000 - $2,500,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $2,365,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012