The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The Ferrari 340 Mexico Spider Vignale chassis 0228AT.
The Ferrari 340 Mexico Spider Vignale, with chassis number 0228AT, is a rare and stunning example of early Ferrari design and craftsmanship. Created by the Italian design house Carrozzeria Vignale, the vehicle was styled by the celebrated designer Giovanni Michelotti, who contributed some of the most iconic Ferrari designs of the era. The 340 Mexico Spider was crafted for performance as much as for aesthetics, with this model specifically built to compete in the legendary Carrera Panamericana road race. One of the most distinctive visual aspects of the 340 Mexico Spider Vignale is its two-tone paint scheme, a hallmark of many Vignale designs from this period. This two-tone layout accentuates the car’s sweeping lines and low-profile bodywork, creating a dynamic and sophisticated aesthetic. It also features a notably small windshield, adding to its racing-inspired look and further streamlining its design for high-speed competition. The 340 Mexico Spider Vignale achieved notable acclaim in 1953, securing 2nd place at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which took place on April 19-20. This achievement reflects the car’s exceptional design and quality, as well as its historic significance in the Ferrari lineup. At Pebble Beach, the 340 Mexico Spider Vignale stood out among the competition not only for its rarity but for its careful attention to detail, with every line and curve reflecting the meticulous hand of Vignale’s craftsmanship. As one of only a few ever made, the 340 Mexico Spider is a testament to Ferrari’s early commitment to creating powerful, race-focused vehicles that were also beautifully designed. Today, the car remains a prized possession among collectors, a symbol of both Ferrari’s engineering prowess and the high-art collaborations with Italy’s top coachbuilders during the 1950s. The 0228AT chassis, with its Michelotti design and Vignale body, is one of the lasting masterpieces of early Ferrari history and a vivid reminder of the brand’s timeless appeal and dedication to automotive excellence.
The story of Carrozzeria Vignale represents one of the many somewhat forgotten success stories born against the backdrop of an Italy that was torn apart by the Second World War and which, starting from the end of the 1950s, was able to recover enough to know a real miracle. economical just a few years later.
