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1951 Ferrari 340 America Spider

  • Coachwork by Vignale
  • Chassis Number: 0140 A
  • Engine Number: 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 example 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

2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,000,000-USD $2,600,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,530,000

1951 Ferrari 340 America Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Ferrari 340 America

(Data based on Model Year 1951 sales)
1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta Touring Superleggera
Chassis#: 0120 A
Sold for USD$6,179,415
  2023 Artcurial : Retromobile
 
1951 Ferrari 340 America Coupe Speciale
Chassis#: 0132A
Sold for USD$3,635,000
  2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction
1951 Ferrari 340 America image  1951 Ferrari 340 America image  
1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta by Touring
Chassis#: 0116/A
Sold for USD$8,226,400
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monaco
 
1951 Ferrari 340 America Spider
Sold for USD$2,530,000
  2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1951 Ferrari 340 America image  1951 Ferrari 340 America image  
1951 Ferrari 340 America Coupe
Chassis#: 0150A
Sold for USD$891,250
  2008 RM Auctions - Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione
1951 Ferrari 340 America image  1951 Ferrari 340 America image  
1951 Ferrari 340 America Ghia
Sold for USD$852,500
  2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
1951 Ferrari 340 America image  1951 Ferrari 340 America image  
1951 Ferrari 340 America Berlinetta
Chassis#: 0126A
Sold for USD$973,500
  2005 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
1951 Ferrari 340 America image  1951 Ferrari 340 America image  

Ferrari 340 Americas That Failed To Sell At Auction

1951 Ferrari 340 America's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1951 Ferrari 340 America0126A2009 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Houston Classic Auction$1,000,000$1,200,000$1,400,000

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1951 Ferrari 340 America

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Ferrari 340 America model years

1951 Ferrari 340 America Vehicle Profiles

1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Barchetta
Coachwork: Touring
Chassis #: 0116A
1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis #: 0132A
Engine #: 0132A
1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Berlinetta
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis #: 0082A
1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Spider
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis #: 0140 A
Engine #: 0140 A
1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Coupe
Coachwork: Touring
Chassis #: 0126A
1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Coupe
Coachwork: Ghia
Chassis #: 0148 A
1951 Ferrari 340 America vehicle information
Coupe
Coachwork: Ghia
Chassis #: 0150/A
Engine #: 0150/A