1955 Ferrari 375 MM Speciale Coupe

This Ferrari is based upon a 375 MM chassis, the second-to-last built, with a competition 340 horsepower, Lapredi V12 engine fitted with three Weber type 42 DCZ 3 carburetors, Magneti Marelli ignition, and Borrani knockoff wire wheels. In November of 1954, the rolling chassis was sent to Ghia of Turin. It was one of nine road-going coupes built atop the 375 MM chassis and the only one with Ghia coachwork. Further, it has the distinction of being the final Ferrari bodied by Ghia.

With inspiration from their Supersonic coupes and DeSoto Adventurer II show car, Ghia created a design that had a long hood and front fenders flanking a wide egg-crate grille. There was a curved glass windshield and a semi-fastback roofline with ventilated sail panels. In the back were subtle tail fins, complete with an integrated chrome bumper 'notched' to accommodate the taillights. Upon completion, it was finished in a two-tone color scheme of Salmon and Anthracite Grey, accented by chrome molding.

The coachwork was completed in early April of 1955 and it was shown on Ghia's stand at the annual Torino Motor Show where it rested alongside the turbine-powered Gilda. A month later, it was sold through Luigi Chinetti to Robert C. Wilke, owner of the Leader Card Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The car would remain in his care for the remainder of his life, putting just 12,000 km on the odometer. It would remain in original condition, except for the installation of International Harvester seat belts in 1969.

After Mr. Wilke's passed away, ownership transferred to his son, Ralph. In 1974, it was sold to Dr. Robert E. Steiner of Milwaukee who kept it for a decade before selling it to dealer Ed Jurist of the Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York. Ownership soon passed to the Blackhawk Collection of Danville, California. Three years later it was sold via Thomas Barrett to Erich Traber and moved to Europe. In 1990, Traber showed it at Retromobile. In 1992 it was drive in a Ferrari Owners Club Switzerland meeting. While in Mr. Traber's care, the original 375 MM engine was rebuilt.

In August of 2007 the car was purchased by its present owner. Since then, it has been shown on a handful of occasions including at the Concorso Ferrari in Pasadena, California, in May 2013.

The car retains its original Ghia interior and the exterior was repainted some years ago in the original color scheme. Currently the odometer shows 13,367 km with most being covered by the original owner. It has received Ferrari Classiche certification, with the Red Book confirming the presence of the original engine, gearbox, and rear differential.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019