The Ferrari sports coupe intended for the American market was given the name America . The first such model was the 340 America , which, however, was presented for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in 1950. Under the hood, it had a 220-horsepower forked twelve-cylinder engine. The bodies were made to order by the Ghia , Vignale and Carrozzeria Touring studios. Allegedly, only 35 cars were produced.
Then the 342 America appeared on the scene with a 300 horsepower engine. It had a longer wheelbase to give passengers more legroom. But only 6 cars were created in total, half and half coupes and convertibles . One of the cars was designed by Vignale , but the other five started a collaboration with Pinifarina that continues to this day. King Leopold of Belgium drove one of them, and Enzo Ferrari himself drove another.
In 1953, the Ferrari 375 America was presented in Paris. Eight of the produced cars were bodyworked by Pininfarina, and three again by Vignale, each piece of which was unique. One of them, originally a red, now gold coupe with fins, was also owned by Steve McQueen , another by the owner of the Fiat concern Gianni Agnelli . Forked twelve-cylinder engine with three twin Weber carburettors produced 221 kW. The drums soon tamed the Borrani wire wheels. The car drove up to 240 km/h, which was certainly an adrenaline-pumping experience. The car was then replaced by the Superamerica model.
However, the America designation did not disappear definitively, in 1963 the 330 America model appeared, replacing the Ferrari 250 . It was a 2+2 coupe with a four-liter 221 kW forked twelve -cylinder that customers knew from the 400 Superamerica . A more moderate body with a luxurious interior (again Conolly leather and wooden accessories) should have attracted more customers. However, the production lasted only one year and thus only 50 pieces were produced. It was then succeeded by the 330 GT model, and the America name disappeared again.
Photo: AutoWP
