Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale 1517SA

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale, chassis 1517SA, was a bespoke grand tourer crafted by Pininfarina in May 1959. Finished in Moon Silver Savid 20260 with black accents, it featured a striking wraparound windshield and an Aerlux roof. Built on a 2420mm wheelbase, it was powered by an Engine Tipo 163 and constructed on a Chassis Tipo 538. One of its most distinctive features was the extensive use of stainless steel, not only for the exterior trim but also for the inner panels, which were elegantly covered in fine leather. The same innovative body design was later adapted by Pininfarina for the Maserati 5000 GT, specifically chassis 008, reinforcing its influence on the era’s most exclusive high-performance grand tourers. Debuting at the 1959 Torino Motor Show in its initial form, the car was immediately linked to Gianni Agnelli, the influential Italian industrialist and head of Fiat, who received it with the distinctive registration “TO 333333.” Following the show, it was modified and reintroduced at the 1960 Geneva Salon in a refined second version before its official delivery in May. In accordance with Fiat company regulations, the car was delivered without Ferrari emblems, as it was forbidden to enter Fiat’s facilities with non-Fiat-branded vehicles. By 1962, the car had passed to Giuseppe Cornacchia in Milan, a well-known Ferrari dealer, before being acquired later that year by Swedish actress Anita Ekberg in Rome, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to its history. It later changed hands multiple times within Italy, with owners including Mario Rossi of Turin and Gastone Crepaldi, another key figure in Ferrari’s network. In 1969, the car was exported to the United States through Chinetti Motors, landing with Peter Jacobs in Pennsylvania via Algar Enterprises. During the 1970s, it suffered nose damage in a road accident while owned by Pete Sherman in Florida. In 1974, Gilbert K. Ranney of Santa Ana, California, took ownership and later offered it for sale in 1976, needing restoration. By 1982, the Ferrari was donated to the Harrah Automobile Foundation in Reno, Nevada, preserving its legacy. In 1986, Robert Butler of Tarzana, California, acquired the car and later commissioned a complete restoration between 1997 and 2004 by Carl Steuer of Blackhorse Motors and Norbert Hofer of Grand Touring Classics. After its restoration, the 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale made a celebrated return to the concours circuit, appearing at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2004, The Quail in 2005, and the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2009. It was even displayed at the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello, reaffirming its significance within Ferrari’s history. Robert Butler continued to present the car at prestigious events, earning accolades such as Platino at the XXII Cavallino Classic in 2013 and Best of Show at the FCA Concours in Pasadena. With its unique Agnelli connection, innovative design influence, and a history intertwined with automotive royalty and Hollywood, the Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale remains a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in Ferrari’s legacy.