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1951 Ferrari 340 America Coupe

  • Coachwork by Ghia
  • Chassis Number: 0150/A
  • Engine Number: 0150/A
Ferrari's very first automobiles were powered by 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 was known as 'short blocks' since the distance between the center lines of the adjacent cylinder bores was 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 - 11 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 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 grueling 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 | Nov 2019

2008 RM Auctions - Ferrari – Leggenda e Passione

Pre-Auction Estimates :
€1,200,000-€1,500,000 
Sale Price :
USD $891,250 (€ 575,000.00)

2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,200,000 
Sale Price :
USD $852,500

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