1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta

Ferrari's first foray in the Carrera Panamericana was in 1951 when two Ferrari 212 coupes finished in 1st and 2nd place. The following year, fueled by this success, Ferrari adapted the 4-liter, V12 340 America which had won the 1951 Mille Miglia and prepared three lightweight 340 coupes and one Barchetta, all named 'Mexico,' for the 1952 Carrera Panamericana. This car was driven by Volloresi and Cornacchi but failed to reach the finish although one of the Ferraris finished 3rd. In the 1953 race, Phil Hill and Richie Ginther drove this car, but sadly, they failed to finish. Although these cars were built for the most grueling road race, the 340 Mexico is still an elegant sports car. It blends racing power with elegant Vignale styling featuring chrome accents on the hood and along the side of the car and small fins on the top edge of the rear fenders. Unique to the Mexico are vertical scoops in the doors, which direct air to the rear brakes. The 340 Mexico participated in a variety of other road races in the early 1950s and it remains as one of the most striking cars ever built by Ferrari.