During the early 1950 Ferrari was racing V12 engines in its Grand Prix cars. One of these engines was 4,101cc in size and was used for a new road car model called the America. As the name suggests this car was targeted at the American market. About eight 340 Americas were produced and six of the 342 America models, all of which were made specifically for the road and not racing. The smaller 340 engine was rated at 220bph at 6,000rpm while the slightly larger one had dropped to 200bph at 5,000rpm. By dropping the horsepower the newer car was a little more manageable as a road car.
The sports racing versions of this model developed 260bhp. They were designed for the wealthy owners who wanted a dual purpose car. Around 25 of these were produced.
The chassis on both models were made from tubular steel, with drum brakes all around. The front suspension was independent and the rear remained the rigid axle style. Early cars had the familiar five speed manual transmission without a synchronized first gear. At the end of the series a synchromesh first gear was added. Without the synchromesh first gear owners either had to learn to match the engine speed to the transmission speed in order to engage first gear or insure that the car was completely stopped before shifting. A bad shift would result in grinding or clunking sounds. A really bad shift could break a gear or two and perhaps destroy the transmission.
Top speed of both cars were claimed to be 150 mph. One thing to keep in mind is that some figures of Ferrari horsepower and top speed were exaggerated slightly.
Cars continued to be bodied by outside companies such as Pinin Farina, Vignale and Ghia. Slowly Pinin Farina became the designer of choice for Ferrari and they remain in that position even today.
How much is one worth today? Well in the 2006 RM auction a 340 America went for $852,500. One caution about Ferrari prices for used cars. Unless a road car is very rare or special in some way, the racing versions, as the one at the RM auction, always sell for more. The more impressive the racing history, the higher the price it will bring.
The competition version of the 340 won the 1951 Mille Miglia race. This race is no longer being held today, however you can enter a touring car in special versions (touring drives) of the race today in Italy.
The designation America has evolved into the Superamerica and has been used on a variety of Ferrari models with the last one the 575M Superamerica introduced in 2005.
Can you buy one of these at auction today. Yes you can.