In the early 1950s, when Ferrari was in its beginning era, the United States was one of the biggest markets for Ferraris, with most buyers desiring race cars instead of the more road-oriented GT cars. There was a market shift in the later years when American importers started bringing more GT cars to the United States, but before they did, race cars were the most common Ferraris on United States roads. The first Ferrari America car to arrive in the United States from the Italian Automaker was the Ferrari 340 America, based on several Ferrari race cars, including the Ferrari 340 F1. Designed to meet the needs of enthusiastic owners, the Ferrari 340 America was made as light as possible, and the engine was designed to make its highest potential power output, rated at 220 horsepower during production. However, the Ferrari 340 America was not exclusively for the United States market. Being an excellent race car meant Italian and other foreign buyers wanted the car, and the only disadvantage was that Ferrari's manufacturing capabilities were small-scale in the 1950s. Only a handful of Ferrari 340 Americas were made, contributing to their rarity and high-value today. In the classic car market, a Ferrari 340 America has an average value of $3.3 million from the few sales that have occurred through the years, placing it among the most available Ferraris. However, prices depend on a specific car, for example, how well previous owners have kept it, its originality, and its history.
Initially, Ferrari launched the Ferrari 340 America as a sport prototype in 1950 at the Paris Auto Salon. The concept units were Ferrari 275S conversions, and more units followed with a similar design after Ferrari tasked different coachbuilders with design and bodywork. After the first two, 21 more units were built between 1950 and 1952, bringing the Ferrari 340 America's production number to 23. Vignale designed and built the most units, building 11 Ferrari 340 Americas, while Touring made eight and Ghia made four. A new Aurelio Lamperdi V12 engine was designed and built for the Ferrari 340 America, and like most Ferraris, it was placed at the front. The engine was similar to what Ferrari used in the Ferrari 340 F1 but larger with a longer block, making it the largest Ferrari engine at the time. Ferrari intended to use some 340 Americas for racing to test the cars and add trophies to their racing team's trophy cabinet. Multiple cars raced at Le Mans and Mile Miglia but failed due to high torque output and the heavy chassis despite being made of tubular steel. Ferrari made some tweaks resulting in victories in 1951 after they attempted both races again in the Ferrari 340 America and implemented the changes in their customer production cars, which were detuned and had some road-oriented comforts. Regarding customer cars, Ferrari preserved the 340 America for their special customers, and in the United States, Luigi Chinetti of the North American Racing Team handled the acquisition and importation. In 1952, Ferrari discontinued the production of the Ferrari 340 America, with bodywork done at the respective coachbuilders' works and Ferrari installing mechanicals at their plant in Maranello, Italy.
Built as a race car, the Ferrari 340 America's performance made it a formidable opponent on any race track it appeared on. Under the hood is a triple-carbureted Lamperdi derived 4.1-liter V12, making 220 horsepower, the same engine Ferrari used in the 1951 Ferrari 340 F1. The engine benefited from greater cylinder spacing and larger bores than the first Colombo V12s Ferrari used; hence, the Lamperdi V12s had a longer block and increased power output. The engine sends power to the rear wheels via a single plate 5-speed manual transmission, which was good enough for the 1950s. Results from races and other tests meant constant developments for the Ferrari 340 America. Some units were lighter than others due to chassis enhancements, and later models got dry sump lubrication, which replaced wet sump lubrication in early models. Through these changes, the Ferrari 340 America not only became lighter, but its performance improved. It's estimated that the average weight of most units is 1,984 pounds, and its 220 horsepower gives the car a decent power-to-weight ratio. As a result, it can do 0-60 in around 7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 150 mph, figures that remained unattainable for a while in later Ferraris.
Inside, the Ferrari 340 America retains its race car appeal with a stripped-out interior but with some basic comforts such as full leather seats. But despite being adorned in leather, the seats still have the classic bucket seat style, which might be uncomfortable for well-built occupants. Still, they're incredibly supportive in corners and well-padded for comfort when driving reasonably long distances. There's a storage compartment behind the seats covered in a soft material that extends to the floor, acting as a floor mat, which shows that Ferrari was still in touch with their luxury orientation roots when making the Ferrari 340 America. The center short center console houses the transmission shifter with a chrome plated shift knob at the top and a leather or rubber boot at the bottom, covering the transmission underneath. On the dashboard, you get two large gauges, unlike most classic Ferraris, which have a myriad of gauges. This minimal approach keeps the dashboard driver-oriented as it should since the Ferrari 340 America was designed as a race car. However, like most Ferraris, the Ferrari 340 America has a few chrome bits and pieces in the interior, such as on the controls at the center of the dash, the steering wheel, window surrounds, and gauge trims.
The Ferrari 340 America's exterior design follows its race car-oriented interior, featuring minimalism and attention to detail to enhance its aerodynamics. Despite being made by multiple coachbuilders, all Ferrari 340 Americas have a uniform appeal at the front, featuring a circular headlight on each end and an oval egg crate grille with integrated fog lights at the bottom corners. Ferrari 340 America race cars have small vents flanking the grille, which was also applied in some customer road-oriented cars. Moving on to the side profile, the Ferrari 340 America retains its minimal look, with the only notable feature being a chrome line running from the top of the front wheel arch to the rear quarter panel just behind the door. Depending on the car's manufacturing, the chrome line might be there or not, and in race cars, it is replaced by air extraction vents at the top of the front quarter panels. Finishing the side profile's appearance are wire wheels, a must-have on classic Ferraris. Nothing is unique at the rear end except tiny headlights integrating turn signals and a dual exit exhaust, further exemplifying the Ferrari 340 America's minimalistic looks.
When Ferrari was building the Ferrari 340 America, coachbuilders had yet to implement large-scale use of aluminum, so steel was the only metal used, thus increasing the car's weight. However, using a tubular chassis enabled the Ferrari 340 America to weigh less without compromising structural integrity. It also allowed Ferrari to tweak the chassis, thus reducing weight even more and improving the car's performance. The front independent suspension on the Ferrari 340 America enables it to handle the engine's weight and gives the car excellent handling due to better traction and enhanced steering wheel response. Ferrari hadn't implemented a rear independent suspension, but the live axle handles fine at the rear. The tripe carburetors on the engine provide a higher volume of air and fuel mixture to the Ferrari 340 America's engine, which results in higher power output than in older V12s with twin carburetors. They also enhance throttle response and give the engine bay an aesthetic appeal most found on classic cars, such as the Ferrari 340 America. Lastly, wet sump lubrication introduced in later production units ensures the engine's durability and reliability. It has better oil delivery than dry sump lubrication, improving lubrication and wear protection, which is crucial in older engines.
In the classic car world, early limited-production Ferraris like the Ferrari 340 America are seldom glimpsed on the streets due to their low production numbers, contributing to their elusive presence in the classic car market. Those listed for sale in previous years quickly get bought by one collector among the many collectors and enthusiasts constantly searching for a Ferrari 340 America. But with a market value of $3.3 million, it's not the car that most would register at an auction to bid for against well-off bidders who would do anything to have a Ferrari 340 America in their collection. If you'd like to buy a Ferrari 340 America, you might find one listed on Exotic Car Trader, so ensure you watch out for our Ferrari listings. Also, we list all sorts of classic cars, so give us a call if any of Exotic Car Trader's classic car listings entice you.
The introduction of the Ferrari 340 America, initially targeted at drivers who were racing enthusiasts at heart, epitomized the convergence of Ferrari's racing pedigree. Ferrari later made some changes, making the car more suitable for the road, where it still performed as well as on the track. Today, the Ferrari 340 America stands among early production Ferraris that showcase the manufacturer's roots.
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The Ferrari 340 America remains an icon of automotive excellence, a testament to Ferrari's legacy of creating exceptional machines that transcend time. Its rarity, performance pedigree, and timeless design ensure its place among the most revered and sought-after classic cars in automotive history.
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