1954 Ferrari 375 America
Heir to the 342 America, this model was aimed at the same segment of the market, but the Colombo-designed V12 was dropped in favour of the Aurelio Lampredi version that featured cylinder heads with twin inlet tracts.
The 375 America model was first displayed at the 1953 Paris Salon in Pinin Farina three window coupé form, with a duo tone paint finish, the shape of which was a refinement of that seen on the Pinin Farina offering on the 212 Inter model of 1952-53. It used virtually the same 2800mm wheelbase chassis as the concurrent 250 Europa, and they were similarly numbered in the odd number road car sequence but carried an “AL” (America Lungo) suffix.
The engine was a development of the Lampredi designed “long” block V12, with a capacity of 4522cc, and a bore and stroke of 84mm x 68mm, fitted with a bank of three twin choke Weber 40 DCZ or DCF carburetors, twin coil and distributor ignition, to produce a claimed 300bhp.
The engine was coupled to a four speed all synchromesh gearbox, which carried the drive through a universally jointed propeller shaft to the rigid rear axle, for which a variety of ratios were available, depending whether the client wanted searing acceleration or relaxed high speed cruising.
Full uniformity of style had still not been achieved, as even among the “standard” Pinin Farina coupés one could find detail differences, like the radiator grille surround being plain, or fitted with chrome plated trim rings of varying widths, and specific detail changes to suit a particular client’s requirements.
Ferrari 375 America Technical Specifications
Year of Manufacture – 1953
ENGINE | ||
type | front, longitudinal 60° V12 | |
bore/stroke | 84 x 68 mm | |
unitary displacement | 376.84 cc | |
total displacement | 4522.08 cc | |
compression ratio | 8 : 1 | |
maximum power | 221 kW (300 hp) at 6300 rpm | |
power per litre | 66 hp/l | |
maximum torque | – | |
valve actuation | single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder | |
fuel feed | three Weber 40 DCF carburettors | |
ignition | single spark plug per cylinder, two coils | |
lubrication | wet sump | |
clutch | twin-plate | |
CHASSIS | ||
frame | tubular steel | |
front suspension | independent, unqual-length wishbones, transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers | |
rear suspension | live axle, semi-elliptic springs, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers | |
brakes | drums | |
transmission | 4-speed + reverse | |
steering | worm and sector | |
fuel tank | capacity 140 litres | |
front tyres | 7.10 x 15 | |
rear tyres | 7.10 x 15 | |
BODYWORK | ||
type | two-seater coupé | |
length | – | |
width | – | |
height | – | |
wheelbase | 2800 mm | |
front track | 1325 mm | |
rear track | 1320 mm | |
weight | 1150 kg (dry) | |
PERFORMANCE | ||
top speed | 250 km/h | |
acceleration 0-100 km/h | – | |
0-400 m | – | |
0-1000 m | – |
Ferrari 375 America Valuations
The 375 America pictured here sold at auction for nearly $5 million in 2018. It was the first one to come up for sale publicly for many years..