This 1953 Ferrari 342 America (#0248 AL) is one of only six 342 Ferraris ever manufactured. It is also only one of two Pininfarina 342 Cabriolets. It was shown by Ferrari at the New York Auto Show in 1953 and was the first grand-touring Ferrari to ever have the 4.5 liter Lampredi engine producing 300 hp, compared to only 200 hp in the earlier 4.1 liter engines supplied in the previous 342s.
The car is one of the most chronicled grand-touring Ferraris of all time. It is pictured in almost every book that discusses Ferrari road cars of that era. It has also been featured in over 12 magazines and may be the only Ferrari to ever grace the cover of Cavallino on two separate occasions.
Design and Features
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Engine: The Ferrari 342 America is equipped with a 4.1-liter V12 engine, known as the Lampredi V12, named after its designer, Aurelio Lampredi. This engine produced around 200 to 220 horsepower, delivering robust performance for the era.
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Chassis and Suspension: The car is built on a tubular steel chassis, designated as the Tipo 342. The suspension system features independent front suspension with double wishbones and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, providing a balance of handling and comfort.
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Body Styles: The 342 America was available with custom bodywork from prestigious Italian coachbuilders such as Pinin Farina (later Pininfarina) and Vignale. These bodies were handcrafted, resulting in unique and stylish designs for each vehicle.
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Interior: The interiors of the 342 America were luxurious, featuring high-quality materials such as leather upholstery, polished wood trim, and bespoke detailing. The focus was on providing a comfortable and elegant environment for both the driver and passengers.
Historical Significance
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Limited Production: Only six units of the Ferrari 342 America were produced, making it an exceptionally rare model. This limited production was aimed at an exclusive market of wealthy clients who desired both performance and luxury.
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Grand Touring Excellence: The 342 America was designed as a grand tourer, capable of covering long distances at high speed with great comfort. It was part of Ferrari's strategy to expand beyond pure racing cars and into the luxury car market.
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Evolutionary Step: The 342 America was a continuation of Ferrari's evolution in the early 1950s, building on the success of previous models like the 340 America. It showcased Ferrari's commitment to innovation and excellence in automotive engineering.
Collectibility
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Rarity: Due to its extremely limited production run, the 342 America is one of the rarest Ferraris ever made. Each of the six cars is unique, with differences in bodywork and specifications.
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Value: The rarity, combined with its historical significance and elegant design, makes the 342 America highly valuable in the collector car market. These cars can fetch several million dollars at auctions, especially if they have been well-preserved or have notable histories.
You may purchase a print of the 1953 Ferrari 342 America in our dElegance 2012 online gallery.