Ferrari 500 Mondial Berlinetta

Vehicle Overview

The 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Berlinetta is a testament to Ferrari’s innovative engineering and racing prowess in the early 1950s. Designed to take advantage of a nimble, high-torque four-cylinder engine, the 500 Mondial was Ferrari’s response to the success of its Formula 2 cars, which had already proven their mettle on the track. With a name that honored Alberto Ascari’s consecutive World Championships, the 500 Mondial was developed for privateer racers looking for a competitive and reliable sports car. Built on a lightweight chassis with a 2.0-liter Lampredi-designed engine, the 500 Mondial produced between 160-170 horsepower. It featured a De Dion rear suspension, a rear-mounted gearbox integrated with the differential, and transverse-leaf springs front and rear. Its performance and handling made it a strong competitor against the Maserati A6GCS, often battling for supremacy on both European and North American circuits. Among the limited production of the 500 Mondial, only two were bodied as Berlinettas by Pinin Farina, making them among the rarest Ferraris of the era. One of these, chassis 0422 MD, was completed in mid-1954 and originally owned by Moroccan resident Mario Dustaritz. Prepared for the grueling Tour de France Automobile, it was outfitted with additional driving lights, windscreen washers, and extra security features. After an unsuccessful attempt at the 1954 Tour de France, the car was seized by French customs and subsequently sold to French gentleman driver Jean Piger in 1955. Piger, a notable collector, owned the car for 47 years, preserving it in near-original condition. When it changed hands in 2002, it was regarded as one of the most significant barn finds of the decade. Under new ownership, the car underwent careful mechanical servicing while retaining its original paint and fittings. This commitment to preservation earned it prestigious accolades, including awards at the Cavallino Classic and Pebble Beach, it was sold by Kidston. The second Berlinetta, chassis 0452 MD, followed a similarly fascinating path. Entered into Pinin Farina’s plant in July 1954, it was finished in Duco 114 gray/blue. The car was delivered to Francesco Marchesi of Bologna, Italy, and made its racing debut at the 1954 Tour de France Automobile with Leon Coulibeuf and Robert Aumaitre at the wheel. Unfortunately, it failed to finish the event. The following year, the car raced in the Grand Prix of Agadir with Clemente Ravetto but did not finish. It then passed through the hands of several Italian owners, including Mario Camellini and Roberto Montali, the latter campaigning it in the Mille Miglia in both 1956 and 1957. Despite some front-end repairs that slightly altered its appearance, the car continued to compete, finishing 59th overall and 9th in class at the 1957 Mille Miglia. By the late 1950s, chassis 0452 MD was sold internationally, eventually arriving in the United States. It changed hands multiple times, including through well-known Ferrari collectors such as Norman Appleman, Carl Bross, and Peter Snow Sheran. In the 1980s, the car was completely restored by Scott Restorations in California and repainted in French racing blue. Its renewed condition earned it first place at the 1984 International Ferrari Concours and second place at Pebble Beach. Over the years, it was owned by collectors including Emilio Gnutti and Pierre Mellinger, participating in events such as the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and the Mille Miglia. In 2013, it became part of the esteemed collection of Leslie Wexner. With an extensive racing history and a lineage of passionate owners, chassis 0452 MD stands as a remarkable counterpart to its sibling, 0422 MD. These two Berlinettas remain among the most exceptional and historically significant Ferraris ever produced, embodying the spirit of competition and timeless elegance.