Competition

The supercharged 125 F1 car saw modest success in Formula One competition during the late 1940s, prompting Ferrari to switch to a naturally aspired 4.5-liter formula for the series. Aurelio Lampredi replaced Gioacchino Colombo as technical director and was tasked with developing an entirely new large-displacement V12 engine for racing. The result of his work was placed in the experimental 275 S and just two of these racing barchettas were built, based on the 166 MM but with the larger 3.3-liter V12. In April of 1952, they raced at the Mille Miglia, with one example holding the lead for a while, but ultimately were forced to retire due to mechanical failure.

A few months later, in June at the Grand Prix of Belgium, the 275 F1 made its debut with the same 3.3-liter version of Lampredi's new engine. The engine had three Weber 42DCF carburetors, a single overhead camshaft for each bank of cylinders, and two valves per cylinder helping to produce 300 horsepower at 7200 RPM. After a fifth-place finish in the hands of Alberto Ascari, it marked the end of the 3.3-liter engine. A month later came the 340 F1, which had a larger 4.1-liter version of Lampredi's V12. Along with a larger engine and four-speed gearbox, the wheelbase was lengthened to 2,420mm and the suspension was fitted with a new de Dion tube rear setup based on that in the 166 F2.

The new 335 horsepower vehicle proved capable of keeping pace with the Alfa Romeo 158 but would ultimately retire early due to engine trouble.

By September of 1950, the engine had been enlarged to 4.5-liters resulting in the 375 F1. Although it offered nearly the same horsepower as its 4.1-liter predecessor, it did provide Ascari with a second-place finish in its racing debut at Monza. With further modification, the 375 F1 would earn its first Formula One victory at Silverstone on July 14th of 1951. Ascari would win at the Nürburgring and Monza, and compiled with consistently strong results throughout the season, proved the company capable of being a Formula One contender.

For the 1952 and 1953 seasons, the sport's governing body decided to run under Formula Two regulations, making the Lampredi engine obsolete for Grand Prix racing.

Ferrari would use the engine in various other vehicles, including an Indy car called the 375 Indianapolis. The addition of three Weber 40IF4C carburetors increased horsepower output to 380 hp. Despite proper testing and tuning, only one of the four 375s qualified for the 1952 Indianapolis 500. The qualifying car was driven by Ascari who would complete 40 of the 200 laps and be classified in 31st place.

Road Going

Road-going cars wearing the 375 designation would include the 375 MM, 375 America, and 375 Plus. The first sports racers equipped with the engine Tipo 102 had the same configuration as the Grand Prix engine. However, most cars were given engine Tipo 108 which had a slightly different bore and stroke for reliability reasons.

The 375 America was introduced at the 1953 Paris Auto Salon. The standard body was a Pinin Farina styled Coupe, although Vignale was a popular customer choice. Of the twelve examples built, eight wore Pinin Farina Coupe coachwork. Production lasted from 1953 through 1954.

Following the success of the Ferrari 340 America and its Mille Miglia victory, the more powerful Ferrari 375 MM was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1953. They were built to contest the World Sports Car Championship and came powered by a 4.5-liter Lampredi-designed V-12 engine with either three twin-choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF downdraughts, resulting in 300 horsepower. Most of the 26 examples of the 375 MM wore coachwork by Pininfarina with Spyder and Berlinetta bodies being the most popular.

A more powerful version of the Lampredi V12 was introduced in 1954 when the engine was enlarged to nearly 5.0 liters and installed in some 375MM Models. They were called the 375 Plus and a total of eight examples were built. They had a large bugle at the rear necessitated by a larger fuel tank and a spare wheel. The chassis was modified with a DeDion rear axle. With nearly 350 horsepower, the 375 Plus scored two important victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Pan Americana, winning the World's Sports Car Championship for Ferrari in 1954.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 0490AM

The Ferrari 375 was introduced at the Paris Salon in 1953. During its production run which lasted until May of 1954, less than 45 examples of the 375 America were produced. The car was constructed for Ferrari's clientele who had the means to afford one of these beautiful creations. Since they were produced in limited numbers, the production took far longer than volume models.

Gioacchino Colombo started out being the primary builder of Ferrari's engines in the late in 1940's and a major contributor to the success of Ferrari. Aurelio Lambredi became his assistant in 1947. Lambredi soon became convinced that a large engine that was naturally aspirated would have better fuel economy and provide more power. Colombo was of the belief that smaller engine compiled with a supercharger would produce the better results. Ferrari tested Lambredi's idea and proved it to be successful. Lambredi was promoted to chief design engineer and Colombo returned to Alfa Romeo. The Lambredi engines were used in the ladder part of the 1950's.

Power was provided by a 4.5-liter Lampredi designed V-12 engine with either three twin choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF downdraughts, resulting in 300 horsepower. On all four corners were drum brakes, Borrani wire wheels accented the exterior of the vehicle, and a leaf spring suspension was used in the front and the rear. With the four-speed manual gearbox, the car could achieve a top speed of 150 mph and could race from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds.

Most Ferrari's were custom built cars. They were not mass-produced. Ferrari provided the engine and chassis while Italian coach builders provided the body. This meant the specifications varied. Engines also varied in horsepower rating, torque, and displacement.

In regards to the 375, Pinin Farina was tasked with building the bodywork for many of the models. The Pinin Farina design shared a similarity with the 250 Europa's. The dimensions of several automobiles were similar but their interiors, wings, bumpers and detailing were all unique.

The 375 MM was given its name after the famous 1000 mile race, the Mille Miglia. This limited production series was constructed in 1953 and 1954. The car was outfitted with a 4522 cc powerplant, a small increase in performance over the 4494 cc road-going version. The four-speed manual gearbox was fully synchronized and mounted to the engine. The front suspension was independent by parallel unequal length A-arms with a transverse leaf spring. The rear was sold with semi-elliptic springs and parallel trailing arms. This combination made the 375 MM perfect for high speed circuits and the open road. In total only 26 375 MM's had bodywork provided by Pinin Farina in either spyder or berlinetta configuration. One example received bodywork courteous of Ghia.

In 1954, a 375 Plus was entered in the grueling 24 Hours of LeMans. Powered by a 4.9 liter engine, it captured the overall victory.

Production of the 375 continued until 1955. Produced in limited numbers, their exclusivity in modern times is guaranteed. These wonderfully designed unique creations powered by the coveted Lampredi engines are a true time-tested testament of the work inspired by Enzo Ferrari and fostered by Italian ingenuity.

0490AM

Ferrari 375MM Berlinetta with chassis number 0490AM was bodied by Pinin Farina and used by Bernabelli as a road car. It was shown at the 1955 Turin Motor Show where its beauty was admired by many. It was painted ivory and black and sold to De Bickero.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Ghia
Chassis number: 0476 AM
Engine number: Internal Engine: 232

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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Ghia
Chassis number: 0476 AM
Engine number: Internal Engine: 232

The 375 MM was bred for the racetrack but designed as a special road car - a wolf in sheep's clothing. This car was the last of 36 Ferraris bodied by Ghia, and one of 13 Berlinettas produced with the formidable 340 horsepower, 4.5-liter Lampredi engine. The one-off coachwork, designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi, was showcased at the Turin Auto Show of 1955 and sold through New York dealer Luigi Chinetti to Enzo Ferrari's friend, Robert C. Wilke - sponsor of 15 Indianapolis 500 cars with wins in 1959 and 1962. Eventually this 375 MM made its way to the Blackhawk Collection, where it resided for 16 years before acquisition by its current owner. This wolf of a Ferrari has covered only 13,000 km.