Ferrari 340 America Vignale

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 340 America was one of the most formidable sports cars of its time, designed to compete in endurance races with a powerful V12 engine derived from Ferrari’s Grand Prix cars. Built in limited numbers, it featured coachwork by Carrozzeria Vignale, one of the leading Italian design houses of the era. Under the direction of Giovanni Michelotti, Vignale created some of the most distinctive and elegant bodies of the early 1950s, blending aerodynamics with aggressive proportions. The 340 America stood out with its long hood, compact cabin, and muscular rear fenders, a design language that emphasized both speed and sophistication. Chassis 0132A was completed in 1951 as a right-hand drive coupe with a two-tone paint scheme. Equipped with a wet sump engine, gearbox number 35A, and rear axle number 19A, it was initially delivered to Ponti & Mambretti in Rome. It featured chrome applications and a striking six-pipe exhaust at the rear, a unique touch that set it apart from other 340 America models. In early 1952, the car was exported to the United States, where it changed hands several times. Notable owners included Johnny Ysmael in Los Angeles and later William Doheny of Beverly Hills. By the late 1950s, it had been modified with a Chevrolet V8 engine before its original drivetrain was eventually reinstalled decades later. The car remained in private collections, and in 2019, it was auctioned at Bonhams Quail Lodge, where it was sold for over three million dollars. Chassis 0082A, built in the same year, was a competition-focused coupe that achieved immediate success on the track. Entered by Scuderia Ferrari, it made its debut at the 1951 Mille Miglia, where it won outright with Luigi Villoresi and Piero Cassani at the wheel. That same year, it continued its winning streak with a victory at the Grand Prix of Portugal in Boavista under the hands of Casimiro de Oliveira. The car changed ownership multiple times, racing extensively in Portugal before being exported to the United States in the early 1950s. Over the years, it underwent several modifications, including an engine swap to a Chevrolet V8 before its original 340 engine was eventually reinstalled. By the late 20th century, the car became a fixture in historic racing events and concours competitions, including the Mille Miglia, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and the Cavallino Classic. It remained in the hands of notable collectors, including Lorenzo Zambrano and Jack Croul, and continued to appear at prestigious automotive events well into the 21st century.