Ferrari 375 Plus Spider Scaglietti

Vehicle Overview

The 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus Spider, chassis 0396AM, is one of the most significant endurance race cars of its era, originally bodied by Pinin Farina before being later rebodied by Scaglietti in 1955. Built as a right-hand-drive (RHD) sports prototype, it was equipped with a 4.9-liter Lampredi V12 engine, producing 345 PS, making it one of the most powerful Ferraris of its time. The car was initially campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari, making its competitive debut at the 1954 Mille Miglia (May 1-2, 1954), where it was driven by Paolo Marzotto and Marino Marini but failed to finish. Just over a month later, it achieved one of Ferrari’s greatest victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 12-13, 1954). Driven by José Froilán González and Maurice Trintignant, 0396AM took first overall and first in the S5.0 class, securing Ferrari’s dominance in endurance racing. After its success, the car was sold to John Edgar in Encino, California, who entered it in the 1954 Carrera Panamericana with Jack McAfee and Ford Robinson driving under race number #1. However, tragedy struck when Robinson was killed on the first leg of the race. In 1955, the car was rebodied by Scaglietti, receiving a more streamlined, aggressive design. Later that year, it competed in various North American sports car races, including the Torrey Pines 6-Hour race (October 22, 1955), where McAfee finished 3rd overall, and the Nassau races in December, where it achieved several top-five finishes, including 5th overall in the Nassau Trophy race. The car continued racing in the late 1950s, driven by notable names like Carini, Phil Hill, and Carroll Shelby, though mechanical issues led to several DNFs in events such as the 1957 Cuba Grand Prix and 1958 Carrera Lafitte races. By 1966, Earl P. Pfannebecker of Latham, New York, acquired 0396AM, and three years later, it was sold at an estate auction for $5,250. It later passed through collectors George Sterner and Pierre Bardinon, with Bardinon restoring the car back to its original Pinin Farina Spider bodywork. In 1987, 0396AM was displayed at the Cartier “Hommage à Ferrari” exhibition in Paris, followed by an appearance at Mas du Clos in 1989. In 1999, it was featured at Retromobile in Paris, and in 2004, it was presented at the Louis Vuitton Classic at Waddesdon Manor under the care of Terry Hoyle. This Ferrari 375 Plus Spider remains an important piece of Ferrari’s racing legacy, with its Le Mans victory and Scaglietti rebodying making it a historically significant and highly sought-after collector’s car.