1952 Ferrari 342 America

This Ferrari, chassis number 0248AL, is one of only six 342 Ferraris ever manufactured. It is also one of only two Pininfarina 342 Cabriolets. It was shown by Ferrari at the New York Auto Show in 1953 and was the first grand touring Ferrari to ever have the 4.5-liter Lampredi engine producing 300 horsepower, compared to only 200 horsepower in the earlier 4.1-liter engines supplied in the previous 342s.

This car is one of the most chronicled grand-touring Ferraris of all times. It is pictured in almost ever book that discusses Ferrari road cars of that era. It has also been featured in over 12 magazines and may be the only Ferrari to ever grace the cover of Cavallino on two separate occasions.

Ferrari 342 America with chassis number 0248AL was sent to the Pininfarina plant in early January of 1953. It may have been sent to the United States as a show car for the New York Auto Show in 1953. Since that time the car has been the property of several owners, which is typical for an automobile over fifty years old and of this pedigree. Carlo Bonomi purchased the car in 1987 after successfully bidding on the car at the Christies Auction in Monaco. Under his care, he brought the car to the International Ferrari Concours at Monterey in 1994, and to the Concorso Italiano at the Quail Lodge. The car was sold to Lorenzo Zambrano who was given the honor of showing the car at the 1998 Pebble Beach Concours.

It is a beautiful Cabriolet, left-hand drive vehicle, finished in metallic Shell gray and has a green interior. It is the sixth of six constructed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2011