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1953 Ferrari 375 America news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Coupe Coachwork: Pininfarina |
The car was first sold to Howard Keck who was an American businessman who was the owner of an auto racing team that twice won the Indianapolis 500 race. He was the son of the founder of Superior Oil Company.
 |  |  | Coupe Coachwork: Vignale Chassis Num: 0327 AL |
| Sold for $1,980,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. | |||
The 375 America followed the 340 and 342 America and they continued to cater to Ferrari's elite road-car buyers who desired a large-displacement, high-horsepower road-going vehicle with elegant styling and luxurious amenities. The 375 America had a ladder-type, tubular steel frame and a wheelbase that measured 110.2 inches. The suspension was comprised of the tried-and-true leaf-spring arrangement with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and Borrani wire-spoke wheels.
Powering the 375 America was a Lampredi-designed 4523cc 'long block' V12 engine, the largest engine offered by Ferrari at the time. Horsepower was in the neighborhood of 300 bhp at 6500 RPM, courtesy of a high compression ratio and a trio of twin-choke Weber carburetors. They had a four-speed manual gearbox that had synchromesh on all forward gears.
The top speed was an impressive 160 MPH with zero-to-sixty mph being achieved in under seven seconds. With its performance, attractive styling, and comfortable interior, the Ferrari 375 America was one of the world's ultimate grand touring automobile of its era.
Ferrari produced just 12 examples of hte 375 America. They were completely hand-built and no two examples are entirely alike. They carried a price tag of approximately $10,000 when new and the majority of examples wore Pinin Farina bodies, with just two clothed in bodywork by Vignale.
This particular example is chassis number 0327 AL that was originally finished in burgundy with a silver roof and tan upholstery. The design was based on the seventh of the 12 375 America chassis originally built by Ferrari. It displays the same general body styling as chassis 0313 EU and 0337 AL, though the head- and tail-lights on this car are different. When the car was completed, it was fitted with temporary Bolognese license plates 'BO 32117' and sent to Switzerland in preparation for its display from March 11-21, 1954 at the XXIV Annual Geneva Motor Show.
The car was exported to the United States in mid-1954 and sold to its first owner, Robert C. Wilke. By 1964, the car was known to have been refinished in metallic blue, with its original small taillights having been replaced by larger US-specification units. The car was inherited by Robert Wilke's son Ralph in 1975, who sold it that year to Dr. Robert E. Steiner, also a resident of Milwaukee.
The next owner, Rosalie Ann Steiner of Shorewood, took possession of the car on March 16th of 1983. On September 20th of 1984, it was sold to Ed Jurists Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York, through which it was again sold on November 23, 1984 to David L. Coffin, a resident of Sunapee, New Hampshire. It was sold two years later to Thomas Barrett. A short time later, it was sold to Fritz Kroymans, the official Ferrari importer for The Netherlands. The car remained in Mr. Kroyman's Ferrari collection until 2010, when the current owner acquired it.
The car has recently been returned to its original Geneva show colors. The original small taillights, which were swapped for larger units under Robert Wilke's ownership in period, were returned to the car. The dash of 0327 AL was also refinished in correctly matched burgundy paint, and the rest of the interior remains original.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Monterey, CA sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $1,750,000 - $2,100,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,980,000, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
 |  |  | Coupe Coachwork: Vignale Chassis Num: 0337 AL Engine Num: 0337 AL |
| Sold for $2,200,000 at 2011 Gooding & Company. | |||
 |  |  | Coupe Coachwork: Vignale Chassis Num: 0301 AL |
| Sold for $1,155,000 at 2007 Gooding & Company. | |||
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
For more information and related vehicles, click hereGioacchino 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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
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