Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I Cabriolet by Pininfarina
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Car producer : |
Ferrari |
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Model: |
400 Superamerica Series I Cabriolet by Pininfarina |
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Year: |
1959-1962 |
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Type: |
Cabriolet |
From the 342 America of 1953 to the 410 Superamerica that debuted in 1956 and continued through three series of limited production, the gradual development of a top-shelf grand tourer with no direct relation to the marque’s competition cars confirmed Enzo Ferrari’s admission that luxury cars were useful to Maranello’s overall strategy. Yet, despite the beautiful exterior design, the sophisticated interior appointments, and the powerful Lampredi engines that graced the early Superamericas, the 410 models were known to be heavy, unforgiving cars that were somewhat limited by drum brakes and four-speed gearboxes. The 400 Superamerica had a smaller 4.0 L Colombo engine, but produced as much power as its predecessor. It debuted in 1959 as 410 production ended, and was available as a coupe, spider, or cabriolet with custom Pinin Farina bodywork. Four-wheel disc brakes were a new addition. The first batch of 400 Superamericas were built on a 2,420-millimeter chassis with both coupe and cabriolet coachwork, with the convertible versions being the rarer of the two.
At the London Motor Show in September 1962, Ferrari introduced a second-series 400 Superamerica on chassis number 3931 SA, which featured the Aerodynamic body style now mounted on the 250 GTE’s 2,600-millimeter chassis, with the longer wheelbase becoming the platform of choice for the remaining cars. By the time Series II production came to a close in 1964, approximately 18 long-wheelbase Coupe Aerodinamico had been constructed, with only 35 Series II examples being produced in total (including the earlier short-wheelbase examples). The 400 Superamerica was the ride of choice for sporting aristocrats and extremely well-heeled clients, including such owners as Gianni Agnelli, Michel Paul-Cavallier, Count Volpi, and Nelson Rockefeller. It continues to be regarded as one of Ferrari’s most exclusive luxury cars and one of the progenitors of a longstanding tradition of limited-production flagship Ferrari grand tourers.
Series I coupés Aerodinamico had open hood air scoop while series II cars had covered scoop and slightly longer wheelbase.
