Model history: While Ferrari was busy building and racing cars in the 1950s, the factory found time to build luxury cars that were truly in a class of their own. This by no means was a series production; on average only one of these was constructed each month.
The first of these was the 342 America, first shown in 1952, fitted with a Touring styled body. The long block engine was derived from the 340 America sports racer, but the chassis was a bit longer to increase the interior space. Only six examples were produced, of which the Pinin Farina bodied examples are the most important. They were the first Ferraris bodied by the Turin based coach builder and started a strong collaboration that continues to this day.
At the 1953 Paris Motorshow, two new road cars were displayed, both using Lampredi's 'long block' V12 engine. The smaller of the two was the 250 Europa and its big brother the 375 America. It shared its 4.5 litre engine with the marque's Formula 1 and sports car racers. This extremely powerful engine made the America the fastest luxury car in the world. With production of the chassis already limited, the coach builders made sure that every one received a custom body. About ten were built during its two production years, with Pinin Farina bodying the majority of them.
Two years after the 375 America's production, Ferrari again showcased a new luxury GT at the Paris show, but in chassis form only. Dubbed 410 SuperAmerica, the completed car made its debut at the Brussels Motorshow a year later. The Pinin Farina designed body resembled the 250 GT competition car. Compared to the smaller Ferrari, the 410 SuperAmerica's 2800mm long wheelbase was 200mm longer. Power came from Ferrari's largest engine to date, displacing just under 5 litres. It shared this engine with the 410 Sport, designed specifically for a number of South American road races. In competition form, the engine was good for at least 400 bhp and the 340-360 bhp available in the SuperAmerica was more than sufficient.
Three series of SuperAmericas were created. In 1955 the first batch of 16 cars were produced and mainly bodied as a coupe by Pinin Farina. The last examples constructed shared the 2600mm wheelbase with the 250 GT racing cars. In 1956 and 1957 only five were assembled and by that time were the only Ferraris still using the Lampredi long block engine. In 1958 a new Pinin Farina body became available, which was fitted on another twelve cars. Using one of the shorter wheelbase chassis, Ferrari and Pinin Farina constructed the stunning 410 Superfast, which was displayed at the 1956 Paris show.
Production of the Lampredi engine finally ceased in 1959, so a new engine was needed for the 410's replacement. First shown in Brussels in 1960, the 400 SuperAmerica, featured a four litre version of Colombo's 'short block' V12 engine. It was the upscaled version of the three litre V12 unit that had scored so many successes in Sports Car and GT races. Four years later, a final incarnation of the limited production luxury GT was introduced in the shape of the 500 Superfast. It used a five litre version of the short block V12. In 1966 the model was discontinued after fifteen years and just 130 cars produced. Today the America, SuperAmerica and Superfast remain as some of the most exclusive cars ever produced by Ferrari.
Chassis: 0473SA
Of the twelve Series 1 SuperAmericas built, only three were not bodied by Pinin Farina; Boano clothed two examples and Ghia the other. The latter was commissioned by American Robert Wilke. A longtime car enthusiasts, Wilke is best known for sponsoring Indy 500 entrants with his Leader Card Company. The extravagant design was penned by Giovanni Savonuzzi and took nearly a year to complete. It was one of the Ghia show cars that at one point received the nickname 'Gilda' after the film noir classic by the same name in which Rita Hayworth starred.
After taking delivery in 1956, Wilke owned the car for two decades. In that period, he added several other Ferraris to his collection as well. After passing through prominent hands like John Mecom and the Blackhawk Collection, the last Ghia bodied Ferrari was acquired by the current owner in 1991. This noted collector has a particular interest in special coach-built Ferraris and also owns the two Boano Series SuperAmerica. The unique Ghia Coupe is only very rarely seen in public but in 2010 an exception was made for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Ghia was the featured coach-builder.
Article by Wouter Melissen, last updated on September 06, 2010
I can't help but wonder: Does an automobile such as this, ever dare be driven on public roads, and if so, under what conditions? With all due respect to the venerable Pebble Beach event, even just parking it on wet grass somehow does not seem right.
Ghia's Tangent
Didymus 09-06-2010
Interesting, and emblematic of the period, but is it still a Ferrari? All the sporting character seems to have been buried under bulges and fins, like a beautiful woman wearing too much make-up. This approach worked well with Cadillacs and Chryslers, but for a Ferrari, it was off the mark. In its own way, a lovely piece, though.
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410 SuperAmerica Ghia Coupe
While Ferrari was busy building and racing cars in the 1950s, the factory found time to build luxury cars that were truly in a class of their own. This by no means was a series production; on average only one of these was constructed each month.
