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Chassis:
Featured is s/n 0286AM, which first left the factory in 1953 as a 340 MM equipped with a familiar Vignale Spyder body. It was retained by the Works team and served as a test bed for new developments and was the first MM to receive the large 375 engine. Before it was ever driven in anger, the engine was enlarged once again by increasing the bore. In this configuration the Lampredi V12 was later used in the Le Mans winning 375 Plus. Now the factory deemed the car ready for action and in the hands of Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Farina the 375 MM Prototype took a win in the Nürburgring 1000 km.
After its Works service, the Vignale Spyder was sold to American importer Luigi Chinetti. He immediately entered it in the Carrera PanAmericana together with Alfonso de Portago, but the powerful machine failed to reach the finish. After a short spell with a Mexican owner, the car was sold to Allen Guiberson who had the car equipped with a headrest and a fin and repainted white. He entered the car in the 1954 'Carrera' for Phill Hil and Richi Ginther, who finished a highly commendable 2nd overall. Carroll Shelby was the next racing legend to take to the wheel of this 'all-star' Ferrari and scored a win in the 1955 Torrey Pines sportscar race.
It was sold to Louis Berro later that year and he held on to it for many, many years. He did not take care of the unique machine very well and Marcel Massini listed it as 'buried in a hole in the ground' in his Ferraris by Vignale book. It was dug up in the 1990s and fully restored to its 1954 Carrera PanAmericana livery by its new owner. He has since shown it on several occasions, winning prizes at Pebble Beach and in the Cavallino Classic. In March of 2007 it was awarded 'Best of Show' in the Amelia Island concours. The striking machine is pictured above at the 2007 Cavallino Classic where it won the 'Honorary Judges Cup'.
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