Ferrari 375 America Coupé by Vignale

The 375 America was Ferrari’s thirs special model for the US market in 1953. It followed the 340 America and the 342 America and was based on the slightly modified box-frame chassis of the 250 GT Europa. Ferrari extended the wheelbase to 2.8 meters. However, the 4.5-liter V12 engine developed by Aurelio Lampredi was used as the powerplant. Thanks to three Weber twin carburetors and a compression ratio of 8:1, the engine produced 221 kW/300 hp. Double wishbones were used at the front and a rigid axle at the rear. Only 12 or 13 examples were built until 1955.

Two unique Coupés by Vignale

Pinin Farina transformed the majority of the chassis, namely eight, into Coupés. Ghia created another Coupé in three-tone paint. In addition, a convertible and two Coupés were built by Vignale. Giovanni Michelotti was working there at the time as head designer. Together with company founder Alfredo Vignale, he produced life-size drawings that were then reproduced by hand in aluminium. In this way, various interesting one-offs and small series were created at Carrozzeria Vignale, which only opened in 1948. For the Ferrari 375 America, a Coupé design was created with a hatchback and large panoramic rear window. The front end with chrome grille could also have been on a big US sedan of the era. Five air vents adorn each side at the sills. This body was produced twice for chassis numbers 0327AL and 0337AL, with minor differences in headlights and taillights.

Three times across the Atlantic before delivery

0327AL left the halls of Vignale in ‘Amaranto’ (dark red) with a special metallic grey as accent color for the roof, roof pillars and lower side window surround. Inside, the seats, door panels, rear side panels, dashboard and center tunnel received beige leather. The sister car received a brightly contrasting roof to bright yellow base paint. After the world premiere at the New York World Motor Sports Show in early 1954, Vignale had 0327AL come back to Europe once again. The reason for this was the Geneva Motor Show in March. Only then could the car be delivered in Milwaukee/Wisconsin to the head of the Leader Card Company, Robert C. Wilke.

One of seven Ferraris for Mr. Wilke

Mr. Wilke had been well known at American race tracks since the 1920s. As a major sponsor of a successful racing team, he was a frequent visitor to the Indianapolis pit lane in particular. Together with his friends Bill Spear and Jim Kimberly, he also often visited the Ferrari plant in Maranello. Over the years, he bought seven Ferraris, many of which were given unique bodies. He soon had the 375 America repainted blue metallic, after the roof had been painted black beforehand. As an everyday car, the Ferrari was often allowed to show what it could do on the highways.

Long time in the USA, then back to Europe

Robert Wilke kept most of his Ferraris until his death in 1970, and 0327AL was one of them. His son Ralph finally sold the sports car to Dr. Robert E. Steiner. The latter kept it in Milwaukee for another decade. Then he sold the 375 America to Ed Jurist of the Vintage Car Store in Nyach/New York. He passed it on to David L. Coffin in Sunapee/New Hampshire. In 1986, the car, now repainted red, moved to Arizona and shortly thereafter to the Blackhawk Collection. Then the car returned to Europe when it was purchased by Sander van der Velden of Belgium. The Dutch Ferrari importer Frits Kroymans entered his name in the papers as the next owner.

Back in the USA since 2009

After about 20 years in the Kroymans collection, the 375 moved back to the USA to collector Tom Price. The current owner purchased the sports car through an RM auction in 2011 after a slight restoration. During this the car was also repainted to Burgundy Red with a Silver Grey roof. Inside, the Ferrari wears a soothing patina on the leather seats. In August 2018, an attempt to sell it through the RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey failed. Tomorrow (Jan. 22), a new attempt is scheduled in Arizona. RM Sotheby’s expects the hammer price to be between US$ 2,400,000 and US$ 3,400,000.

Images: RM Sotheby’s, Darin Schnabel, Revs Institute