1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe Aerodinamico

Ferrari's Superamerica range was intended to appeal to wealthy individuals for whom a regular Ferrari was just a little too ordinary. The first Ferrari 410 Superamerica was built from 1956 to 1959, the Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I was introduced at the 1959 Turin Motor Show, and the 400 Superamerica Series II debuted at the London Motor Show in September 1962. The new car retained the distinctive aerodynamic coachwork of the earlier cars but was built on a longer 250 GTE chassis.

The 400's motor is a Colombo-designed, single overhead camshaft V12 of 3967cc that was once claimed to produce 400 horsepower, often discounted however to 340. Whatever the actual number, there was plenty to excite a spirited driver of this 400 Superamerica, a Pininfarina Aerodinamico, long wheelbase (102.3 inch) coupe. A big car, for sure, weighing nearly 2860 lb, but still entertaining to drive in some degree of luxury.

The 400 Superamerica attracted many well-heeled owners, including Gianni Agnelli, Count Volpi, and Nelson Rockefeller.

This particular example is believed to be the 32nd of a total of 35 built and the 15th of 18 Series II long-wheelbase cars that were constructed before production came to a close in 1964. It was completed by Pininfarina on November 14th, 1963. It was given the Aerodinamico coachwork and covered headlights and finished in Grigio Argento over Red leather, with matching red carpets.

It was purchased new by its first owner, Autoservizi Maggiore S.r.l. of Florence, Italy, in February 1964. A month later, it was registered on Italian license plates, which read FI 244188. It would remain in the ownership of the company for just over a year before it was sold to its second Italian owner, Vittorio Giovanni Maggiore of Rome, and was reregistered in his name.

Five years later, its Italian registration was canceled, as the car was exported to the United States, where it was purchased by Benjamin Caskey of Palm Beach, Florida, who repainted the car a dark blue metallic. Mr. Caskey owned the Superamerica until his passing in 1987, at which time the car was retitled in his widow's name, Edna H. Caskey. Mrs. Caskey kept the car for another ten years, until February 1997.

The next owner was Mark Smith, of Skippack, PA, who brought the car back to running condition. Massimo Rossi, of Nyon, Switzerland, was the car's next owner who returned it to Europe, being imported on January 7th of 1998, and still wearing its dark blue paint, but now with a black interior.

Over the next few years, the car was fully restored by specialists located in Italy and Switzerland. Carrozzeria Zanasi in Maranello was tasked with bodywork, Tappezzeria Luppi in Modena handled the interior, and Ferrari Suisse SA was commissioned for the engine work. The exterior was returned to its original color combination.

In March 2004, the Superamerica was driven by Rossi in the Coppa Milano San Remo rally. It was sold in 2005 and purchased by Lee Herrington, who had it brought back to the United States. It was subsequently purchased by the Andrews collection. In 2010 it was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.