1951 Ferrari 340 America Images, Information and History

1952 340 America

1951 Ferrari 340 America news, pictures, and information
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			Coupe Coachwork: Ghia Chassis Num: 0150/A Engine Num: 0150/A
Sold for $852,500 at 2006 RM Auctions.

Ferrari's very first automobiles were V12 engines designed by Colombo in 1946. Within a few years their engines were insufficient to keep pace with competition so Enzo Ferrari commissioned Ing. Lampredi to create a new engine for both their sports racing and F1 series. The Colombo engine were known as 'short blocks' since the distance between the center lines of the adjacent cylinder bores were just 90 mm. Lampredi's wanted a larger bore size which required an enlarged cylinder block. By increasing the dimensions to 108mm the 'long block' had been created. Other advanced features were the engines' wet liners screwed into the cylinder head which aided in the possibility of a blown head gasket. Finger type followers were replaced with Roller cams. The result was an engine that had been intended for competition cars. The 4.5 liter Tipo 375 engine was used for their F1 racing endeavors while a smaller 4.1 liter engine was developed for Sports and GT cars. The first of which was the 340 America and introduced at the 1950 Paris Auto Salon. The name 'America' was used since the vehicle had been constructed for the competitive and profitable American market.

The Lampredi designed 4.1-liter V12 engine created between 220 and 230 horsepower. The engine was matted to a five-speed manual non-synchromesh gearbox which sent the power to the rear wheels. The chassis was constructed of a twin-oval parallel tube chassis with unequal length parallel wishbones and transverse leaf spring suspension in the front. Located in the rear was a solid axle with semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf springs, parallel trailing arms, and shock absorbers.

Ferrari handled the construction of the rolling chassis while the bodywork was outsourced to Vignale, Touring, and Ghia. 23 examples were created by Vignale; 8 by Touring, and four were created by Ghia.

The 340 America series had been created with the intention of being raced, however, only a few ever saw track time. The ones that did were often rewarded for their efforts. In 1951, chassis number 0150/A was raced in the Mille Miglia where it emerged victorious.

This 1951 Ferrari 340 America Coupe with chassis and engine number 0150/A finished in red and bearing the number 17 was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, Ca. It carries coachwork by Ghia. The car features an aerodynamic body and pushbutton, flush mounted door handles. The long hood carefully conceals the potent Lampredi powerplant.

The engine was completed in July of 1951 and the chassis was completed near the close of the that year. The rolling chassis was sent to Ghia where it was given this two-seater, two-door coupe configuration. Its first owner was Antonio Parravano of Inglewood, California.

The vehicle was raced during its early existence. One of the more memorable outings was the 1952 running of the Carrera Panamericana Mexico race. The Panamericana race is gruling and very demanding for both driver and car. Many modifications were required to prepare the vehicle for the race. The vehicle was outfitted with Halibrand wheels, magneto ignition, larger drilled and vented brake drums, special scoops and ducts, and more. It was given the number 17 and was accompanied by three 340 Mexico's. One of the 340 Mexico's crashed and another suffered a gearbox failure. The third, driven by Luigi Chinetti and Jean Lucas, finished in third. The Ferrari 340 America driven by Ernie McAfees finished in fifth.

The vehicle went on to compete in various other racing endeavors. Throughout the years it passed through a number of owners before making its way to the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey CA where it was estimated to sell between $900,000-$1,200,000. It retains many of its original components, including the body, chassis, and drive-train. It is one of only four 340 America's bodied by Ghia and the only one with such a prestigious racing career. On auction day the vehicle found a new owner selling for $852,500.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006

Coupe
Coachwork: Ghia
Chassis Num: 0148 A

This 4.1-liter Ferrari Ghia Berlinetta (serial number 0148 A) was built for Ferrari board member and industrialist Michel Paul-Cavalier of Pont-a-Mousson, France, who owned several exceptional Ferraris from new. This is the only 340 Berlinetta built with a lightweight aluminum alloy body. It is equipped with the famous Lampredi V-12, which would go on to contribute to Ferrari's first victories in F1 in Ferrari's 375 F1 model. In the 340 model, the 4,101cc engine develops 250 hp at 6500 RPM. It was a legendary motor that was several steps above the standard 250 production unit, and it went on to spawn both the 375 MM and 410 Sport of fearsome reputation for their power. This car has just had a fresh and full restoration.

			Touring bodied Coupe Coachwork: Touring Chassis Num: 0126A
Sold for $973,500 at 2005 RM Auctions. High bid of $1,000,000 at 2009 Worldwide Auctioneers. (did not sell)

Aurelio Lampredi joined Ferrari in 1947 and became head of the design team in 1949. That position had been held by engineer Gioachino Colombo who had been with Ferrari for many years, dating back to his years spent with Alfa Romeo.

Racing regulations in the early 1950s stated that a maximum displacement of 1.5-liters with forced induction or 4.5-liters with natural aspiration. Lampredi immediately designed a large displacement version of Colombo's original Ferrari V12, retaining Colombo's single overhead camshaft layout but adopting cylinder liners screwed into the heads to prevent head gasket failures. The result of Lampredi's work first appeared near the close of the 1950 Grand Prix season in the 4.5-liter 375s, which would be the team cars for 1951.

For 1952, FIA adopted Formula 2 regulations for the World Championship which meant the Lampredi long block engine was ineligible for competition. It soon found a home in sports cars. Work began on developing a 3.3-liter Lampredi-engined sports car using 212 chassis in 1950. Two of these 275S models were entered in the 1950 Mille Miglia driven by Ascari and Villoresi. Both cars failed to finish due to driveline failures. A 4.1-liter version soon followed, creating the 340 series. They were announced at the Paris Salon in October of 1950 and would become Ferrari's most successful and famous early models. They were used in competition by the factory and by privateers, providing many podium finishes, notably including Giannino Marzotto's 1953 Mille Miglia victory.

The first series of the 340s were designated 340 America. Their powerplant was a 4.1-liter single overhead camshaft with a roller cam follower, single plug, and coil and distributor ignition. With the help of three 40DCF Weber downdraft carburetors feeding individual intake ports, the engine produced 220 horsepower at 6000 RPM. Eight of the series had dry sump engine lubrication. The five-speed gearbox was mounted directly to the engine and powered the rear wheels. The suspension was independent in the front with transverse leaf springs and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. The coachwork was created by Ghia, Vignale, and Touring.

There were only two 1951 Ferrari 340 America's bodied by Touring and both had dry sump lubrication. This Touring bodied berlinetta was completed at Ferrari on July 23, 1951, and finished by Touring three months later. The first owner was Cavaliere Tommaso Sebastiani in October 1951 and stayed with him for several years, and may have even been used in competition. It was sold to Sidney Chaplin, son of the famous actor Charlie Chaplin. About a year later, he sold it to Marchese Pottino of Palermo, Sicily, who traded it back to Ferrari for a new car in 1958. The car's next owner was an unidentified American.

At some point in its life it received a Chevy small block engine. It was at the US Navy Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and later discovered in a barn in Washington, North Carolina. It was purchased by Peter Pheil in 1976 who installed a 250 GT engine and transmission, and used it in the Mille Miglia retrospective in 1986. In 1988, it was sold to Massimo Colombo, who resurrected a 340 block which he believed to be 0126A's original engine. The engine was rebuilt with new cylinder heads from Nuovo Lunelli of Modena and fitted with a period 5-speed transmission.

Colombo and Maher used the car in the 1991 Mille Miglia. The following year, Colombo and Ikusawa drove it in the Mille Miglia. Colombo passed away in 1993, and the car passed through a few collectors over the next few years. In 2003, it was sent to restorer Patrick Ottis who determined that the engine was not its original. It was comprehensively rebuilt including new valves, bearings, pistons, and camshafts. At that time, the five speed unsynchronized gearbox was replaced with a later four-speed synchromesh gearbox from a 250 GT Europa.

The current owner purchased the car in 2005. It is painted in Italian racing red, has sliding panel side windows, vent gills formed in plexiglas quarter windows, an outside filler cap on the right sail panel, and outside-laced lightweight wire wheels.

In 2009, this 340 America Berlinetta with coachwork by Touring was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimated to sell for $1,200,000 - $1,400,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $1 million US dollars.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009

Spider
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis Num: 0140 A
Engine Num: 0140 A

Chassis 0140 A was shipped to Vignale in Turin on October 22, 1951. It was given spider coachwork and painted in a deep red with tan corduroy upholstery. There were only five 340 Americas fitted with similar Vignale coachwork, though this examples carries a number of unique features that differentiate it from the others. There are slotted taillights recessed into sweeping rear fenders, two chrome strips running along the flanks, two parking lights mounted atop the rear of the front fenders and a lack of the typical Vignale 'portholes.'

When complete, the car was sent to the United States, like many of the other 340 Americas. It was sent to the official Ferrari dealer, Luigi Chinetti. The car appeared on Ferrari's New York Auto Show stand at the Grand Central Palace in Manhattan. A short time after its auto show debut, it was sold to George Joseph Jr. of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Chinetti paid $20,000 for the Ferrari.

In October of 1952, the car was entered in several local races, including the Buckley Field Naval Air Station with Dabney Collins behind the wheel. The Ferrari ran into valve problems part way through the race which abruptly ended its first outing.

After the race, the engine was rebuilt under the factory warranty. A short time later, the Ferrari was loaned to James Donald, a prospective buyer of the car with an affinity for 12-cylinder cars, and was raced in Aspen. By April, Mr. Mauro had repossessed this very expensive car, and put it on display at the Sportorama Auto Show at the University of Denver. It was soon sold to Mr. Donald. It was on display in 1957 at the Granny Johnson Memorial Concours and at the La Junta Airport races.

On May 31st of 1958, Mr. Donald raced his Ferrari. On the first run in the car, Mr. Donald was struck from behind by an Austin-Healey, putting him out of the race. The car was soon repaired and finished in silver but it was later repainted in the original dark red.

IN 1960, the car was sold to West Coast Ferrari dealer and racer Jack McAfee for $5,000. McAfee retained the 340 until 1964, at which point Bill Weber of St. Louis acquired the car. Three years later, it joined the stable of David Tunick. IN the early 1970s, it was purchased by Joel Finn, who in turn sold it to Bill Markell of New York. In 1975, it was acquired by Robert de la Rive Box and re-sold it to an individual in Belgium. By April of 1976, it returned to Mr. Fin in the United States. In 1977, Tom Davis of Miami, Florida purchased the car. Gil Nickel of San Francisco was the next owner, purchasing it in August of 1980. In 981, a restoration was performed on the car. After the restoration, it was shown at the 1982 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and displayed in the Postwar European Class through 1960. It was awarded The Hans Tanner Memorial Trophy for Best Ferrari. Two years later, it was shown at the International Ferrari Concours d'Elegance in Carmel Valley. That same year, it raced at the Monterey Historics.

In 1986, it participated in the Mille Miglia retrospective. Mr. Nickel drove the 340 in 1991 and 1992 edition of the Colorado Grand.

A cosmetic restoration was performed in 1992, in preparation for its second appearance at Pebble Beach. In 1994, the car was honored with a First in Class at the FCA International Concours in Monterey. A few days later, it participated in the Monterey Historics. It raced at the Historic Grand Prix at Monaco the following summer and returned again to Laguna Seca.

In 1999, it was invited to return to the Pebble Beach Concours for a third time. IN 2001, Mr. Nickel put the car on display at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $2,000,000 - $2,600,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $2,530,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010

The 340 America was debuted at the 1950 Paris Auto Show and was the first road car to be powered by the Lampredi engine. It was a 4102cc V-12 producing 220 bhp.
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. The bodies of the 340 America were built by Ghia, Touring, Pinin Farina and Vignale.

The 340 America was replaced by the 340 Mexico. It had different carburettors, three 40DCFs, and a higher compression ratio. The result was an increase in horsepower by 60. The weight of the vehicle was also decreased bringing about significantly improved performance.

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.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006

It was in 1948 when the newly formed Italian automobile company named Ferrari began selling a promising sports car named the 166. The two seater sports car featured a 12-cylinder engine mounted in the front and supplying over 100 horsepower to the rear wheels. The engine was just under two-liters in size and had a unitary displacement of 166 cc, thus, the evolution of the model name. Production would last until 1953 with only 38 examples being produced. Even though production was low, its accomplishments are large, with wins at LeMans, Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio.

The 166 was a continuation of the 125, introduced a year earlier. The 125's size of 1497 cc was later enlarged to 1902cc, bringing about the Tipo 159. In 1948, it was enlarged to 1995 cc and became the 166.

Engineer Gioachino Colombo had been tasked with creating the engine to power the first Ferrari automobile. Both Enzo and Colombo had a history with working at Alfa Romeo, and were well versed on the rules and regulations of Grand Prix racing. Rules dictated that displacement size was limited to just 1.5-liters in forced induction engines, and 4.5-liters in naturally aspirated units. Colombo opted for the forced induction route, just as he had done while at Alfa Romeo, and designed for Ferrari their first V12 engine, as well as their first chassis. The engine was very different to the units Colombo had created while at Alfa Romeo, though sharing the same displacement size. Before the engine or chassis were ever created, Colombo left. Aurelio Lampredi was brought in to pick-up where Colombo had left off. Lampredi was a former Fiat employee who was a very talented and gifted engineer. He created the Colombo designed supercharged V12 engine, which would quickly grow in size to three liters.

The engine was potent, but still lacking. Lampredi was tasked with creating a new engine, larger in size, and aimed at propelling Ferrari's next generation of Grand Prix racing machines. Lampredi's goal was to create a powerful, yet fuel efficient engine that could keep with the competition. The Alfa Romeo engines were providing serious competition, and Lampredi questioned if the horsepower output could reach the figures Alfa Romeo was producing. Better fuel-efficiency, along with better tire wear, were two ways Lampredi was hoping to best the Alfa's.

The Lampredi designed 3.3-liter engine was ready by early 1950. Due to its size and configuration, it would eventually become known as the 'long-block' engine. It was constructed from a light-alloy metal, two valves per cylinder, single overhead camshaft and drew design inspiration from the prior Colombo engine.

Touring was tasked with creating the first two vehicles to house the Lampredi engines. They were entered in the 1950 Mille Miglia and carried the designation, 275 S, keeping with the traditional Ferrari naming scheme based on unitary displacement. The cars debut were less than stellar, as both were forced to retire prematurely due to tire and gearbox issues. As the year progressed, the issues were resolved and development continued on the engine, ultimately reaching 4.5-liters.

Other than being a very successful race car builder that enjoyed profound racing success, he was also a great business man and able to capitalize on racing success. Many of the road going cars Ferrari produced were derived from their racing program. Using the Lampredi engine, displacing 4.1 liters and producing 220 horsepower, the engine was mounted in a enlarged versions of the 275 S chassis, and the vehicle was named the 340 America. The 340 America's first public debut was at the Paris Auto Show where it was displayed wearing a Touring Barchetta body. a total of 23 examples would eventually be produced, with bodies supplied by Vignale, Touring and Ghia. As is popular with Ferrari automobiles, many of the 340 America's were used by privateers in racing competition.

Though rule changes at the close of hte 1951 season left the Lampredi engine obsolete, development continued. A total of six examples of the Ferrari 342 America were created. These were very exclusive machines catered to Ferrari's wealthiest clients. The 340 Mexico cars were true Ferrari racing bred machines. Four examples were specifically created to compete in the 1952 running of the Carrera Panamericana race. They were powered by a 280 horsepower version of the Lampredi engine and given a longer wheelbase to better traverse the rough and changing terrain.

In 1953, Ferrari introduced the 340 MM, which was a replacement for the 340 America. Under the bonnet was a 300 horsepower Lampredi engine.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007

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1951 Ferrari 340 America news, pictures, and information