Difference between revisions of "Ferrari America"

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[[Image:365 Cal b.jpg|thumb|300px|left|'''Ferrari 365 California''']]
 
[[Image:365 Cal b.jpg|thumb|300px|left|'''Ferrari 365 California''']]
[[Image:365 Cal2b.jpg|thumb|300px|right|'''1967 365 Ferrari California Spyder (9849) one of only fourteen ever built''']]
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[[Image:365 Cal2b.jpg|thumb|300px|right|'''1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder (9849) one of only fourteen ever built''']]
  
 
The 1966 '''365 California''' was a stepchild model.  It used the America's chassis, with its 2650 mm wheelbase and [[live axle]] rear suspension, but had the 4.4 L ''[[Ferrari Colombo engine|Colombo]]'' V12 from the other [[Ferrari 365|365]] cars.  Just 14 of the open roadsters were built, and production ended in [[1967]].
 
The 1966 '''365 California''' was a stepchild model.  It used the America's chassis, with its 2650 mm wheelbase and [[live axle]] rear suspension, but had the 4.4 L ''[[Ferrari Colombo engine|Colombo]]'' V12 from the other [[Ferrari 365|365]] cars.  Just 14 of the open roadsters were built, and production ended in [[1967]].

Latest revision as of 22:22, 26 June 2010

Ferrari America
340, 375, 410, 400, 500, 365
Manufacturer: Ferrari
Class: front-engined GT car
Production: 19511967
340 America
Production: 19511952
Body styles: Coupe
Roadster
Engines: 4.1 L V12
375 America
Production: 19521955
Body styles: Coupe
Roadster
Engines: 4.5 L V12
410 Superamerica
Production: 19551959
Body Styles: Coupe
Roadster
Engines: 5.0 L V12
400 Superamerica
Production: 19591964
Body styles: Coupe
Roadster
Engines: 4.0 L V12
500 Superfast
1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Coupe
Production: 19641966
Body Styles: Coupe
Roadster
Engines: 5.0 L V12
365 California
Production: 19661967
Body Styles: Roadster
Engines: 4.4 L V12
This article is part of the automobile series.


Ferrari's highest-end models in the 1950s and 1960s were the Americas. They were large touring cars with the largest V12 engines and often had custom bodywork. All America models used a live axle in the rear, were front-engined, and had worm and sector steering.

The America series was based on a series of concept cars which bore the Superfast name. Therefore, the final true member of the America production family finally bore that name instead: The 500 Superfast.


340 America

File:F340usa50.jpg
Ferrari 340 America

The first America cars were the 340. Using the new Lampredi V12 developed for Formula 1 racing, the 340 America could produce over 200 hp. Bodywork was done by Pinin Farina and Vignale. The 340 was produced for only about one year, replaced by its larger-engined brother, the 375 America.




:See also the 340 F1, a Formula One racer, and 340 America, a GT car

The Ferrari 340 MM was a Ferrari race car. It was a more powerful version of the 340 Mexico which was intended for the Carrera Panamericana. The use of Weber carburettors helped the 340 achieve 300 hp, some 20 more than its Mexico counterpart.

Ferrari 340 MM



340 Mexico

Ferrari 340 Mexico



375 America

File:375AmericaRb.jpg
Ferrari 375 America
Ferrari 375 America
Ferrari 375 America

Another Pininfarina and Vignale car, the 375 used the new 4.5 L Lampredi engine with up to 300 hp (224 kW). The 340 and 375 were expensive and exclusive - only about 40 were built from late 1951 through 1955.

File:375mm.jpg
Ferrari 375 MM


375 MM "Ingrid Bergman"

Sergio Scaglietti and his Carrozzeria Scaglietti were commissioned by director Roberto Rossellini to custom build a one off version of the 375 MM with custom bodywork for his wife, actress Ingrid Bergman. This design later became the inspiration for the car which would be named after Scaglietti himself, the Ferrari 612.

Ironically though, Ms. Bergman wasn't too fond of the car, or of Rossellini's love for Ferraris in general.


400 Superamerica

File:400 superamerica pf cab.jpg
Ferrari 400 Super America

The 400 Superamerica had a smaller 4.0 L Colombo engine, but produced as much power as its predecessor. It debuted in 1959 as 410 production ended, and was available as a coupe, spider, or cabriolet with custom Pinin Farina bodywork. Four-wheel disc brakes were a new addition. 50 400s had been built when the 400 stepped aside in 1964.


410 Superamerica

Ferrari 410 Superamerica
File:410.jpg
Ferrari 410 Super America

As if the custom, low-volume America was not fast enough, Ferrari produced another line of America cars, beginning with the 1955 410 Superamerica. The engine was now up to 5.0 L with 340 hp (254 kW) available. A 1957 Superamerica III had triple Weber carburetors for even more power.

Each 410 Superamerica had custom bodywork, with a few by Boano and Ghia but most by Ferrari stalwart, Pininfarina. The price was extremely high — at US$16,800, the 410 Superamerica offered at the New York Auto Show by importer, Luigi Chinetti, was more than twice as expensive as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing" exhibited by Max Hoffman. Just a few (14 to 35) were built when the series ended in 1959.

1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica SI Coupé designed by Ghia



400 Superfast

Ferrari 400 Superamerica Superfast IV by Pininfarina



500 Superfast

File:Ec4f500sfpf65.jpg
Ferrari 500 Superfast

The end of the top-line America series was the 1964 500 Superfast. Early in development, and even into production, these cars were to be called "Superamericas", but the decision was made at the last moment to use "Superfast" instead. The engine was again a 5.0 L Lampredi, but 400 hp (298 kW) was available now, pushing the car to 170 mph (274 km/h). The chassis was based on the contemporary 330 GT 2+2, and bodywork was again done by Pinin Farina. 37 cars were made to 1966, including 12 "series II" models with an updated 5-speed transmission.


365 California

File:365 Cal b.jpg
Ferrari 365 California
File:365 Cal2b.jpg
1967 Ferrari 365 California Spyder (9849) one of only fourteen ever built

The 1966 365 California was a stepchild model. It used the America's chassis, with its 2650 mm wheelbase and live axle rear suspension, but had the 4.4 L Colombo V12 from the other 365 cars. Just 14 of the open roadsters were built, and production ended in 1967.


Ferrari timeline, 1948-1967 Ferrari road car timeline 1960s-1990s >
Type 1940s 1950s 1960s
7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sports 125 S 166 S+166 SC 195 S 212 Exp 225 S 250 MM 250 Monza 250 GT Tour de France 250 GT SWB 250 GTO 250 LM
159 S 250 S 250 Export
GT 166 Inter 195 Inter 212 Inter 250 Europa 250 GT Europa 250 GT Boano 250 GT Ellena 250 GT Coupe PF 250 GT Lusso 330 GTC 365 GTC
275 GTB 275 GTB/4
Spyder/Cabriolet 250 GT 275 GTS 330 GTS 365 GTS
2 plus 2 250 GT/E 330 GT 365 GT
America 340 375 America/MM 410 Superamerica 400 Superamerica 500 Superfast 365 California