www.QV500.com - Ferrari 340 America Part 1: 340 America Competition Cars

The 340 America was Ferrari's first production car to use the awesome Aurelio Lampredi-designed long block V12, an engine that had powered Ferrari to their maiden Grand Prix victory in 1951. While the 195 and 212's produced alongside used 2.4 and 2.6-litre Colombo V12's, Ferrari reasoned that demand was sufficient for a larger capacity, even more exclusive sports and GT vehicle suitable for use on road or track. Conceptualised primarily as a competition car for both the works and wealthy privateers, 340's acquired their America name in respect of the lucrative US market Ferrari was trying to break.

Before the 340 was officially launched, two 3.3-litre Lampredi V12's were fitted into a pair of 275 S sports racers (0030 MT and 0032 MT), Touring of Milan equipping both cars with skimpy Barchetta bodies. Ferrari then displayed 0030 MT as a 340 America on their stand at the Paris Salon during October 1950, but it was March 1951 before the first scratch built example was seen. Chassis 0122 A, another Touring design, this time with a Berlinetta body, was presented at the Turin Salon and like 0030 MT was marketed as an out and out competition car. It wasn't then until 1951's Paris Salon, twelve months after 0030 had debuted, that a 340 America was completed with a more refined, more luxurious street car spec. Built on chassis 0130 AL and to a design by Ghia, this first road car even featured accommodation for rear passengers although it was the only example to ever be finished with such spacious rear quarters. During 1951, competition versions of the 340 America chalked up a number of important victories, most notably the Mille Miglia (chassis 0082 A), the Portuguese GP at Porto (0082 A again) and at Palm Beach (0124 A). Using what was essentially a stretched 212 Export chassis, it featured a tubular steel ladder type frame with a 2420mm wheelbase (up from 2250mm).

Although power remained the same as those earlier 3.3's (220bhp), compression was set lower at 8.0:1 for the new car. With three twin-choke Weber 40 DCF carburettors, these motors managed to produce an identical 220bhp but now at 6000rpm, 1000rpm less than the 275 Sport. Competition versions were often dry-sumped, but all used five-speed non-synchromesh transmissions, top speed ranging between 135 and 150mph depending on spec. During the early fifties, customers would purchase their rolling chassis from Maranello and send it to the carrozzeria of their choice for a body and interior to be fitted. Italy's most popular designers during this period of automotive haute couture were Vignale, Touring and Ghia. 340 America's with bodywork by Touring of Milan fell into two categories totalling nine cars, seven of which were Barchetta's and two Berlinetta's. Both versions were clearly derived from Touring’s previous work on 166, 195 and 212 Ferrari's with wing and grille detailing often providing the only noticeable differences from chassis to chassis. Carrozzeria Vignale clothed 0082 A with a unique Berlinetta body, this the first scratch built 340 America and a car that would rise to prominence as Luigi Villoresi and Pasquale Cassini's 1951 Mille Miglia winner.

As 0082 A was intended for use by the works, Vignale penned smooth, tight lines devoid of any unnecessary trim. There were also five Vignale Spyder's that rank among the most beautiful Ferrari's of the fifties. They were even simpler than Touring's Barchetta bodywork but a good deal more contemporary with gorgeous aluminium shells wrapped tightly over Ferrari's steel tube chassis. Vignale clothed two 340 America's with Coupe bodywork although chassis 0206 A and 0212 A were more Berlinetta-like. Production ended around the middle of 1952 after 25 examples had been completed.