Ferrari's gradual partiality towards producing " road cars" was further confirmed in the early Fifties with the launch of the America series.
The first of the Americas, the 340, came to cope with a perceived but growing demand from potential Ferrari owners, who were not interested in any way in a track vehicle.
The feedback that Ferrari was receiving through their North American dealerships that there were buyers who wanted to own and drive a Ferrari.
The drawback was that they were wary of the engines fitted in most pre and post-war car Ferraris which retained competition level performance and had never been sufficiently detuned for road use.
The 340 America was powered by a 4.1-liter Lampredi-designed unit, capable of an output of between 220 to 220 bhp. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of approximately 150 mph (240 km/h), the 340 America which positioned it as one of the swiftest production cars during its era.
The bodywork of the 340 America was subject to variation as various coachbuilders were responsible for designing custom bodies for each individual car. The 340 America chassis was known for attracting the attention of esteemed coachbuilders like Touring, Vignale, and Ghia, who were renowned for their expertise in creating distinctive and one-of-a-kind designs.
The Ferrari 340 Americas, although primarily intended for road use, also achieved notable accomplishments in the world of motorsport. The individuals participated in a range of endurance races, such as the Mille Miglia and the Carrera Panamericana, to demonstrate their impressive performance capabilities.
To answ
er the demands of this growing market, Ferrari developed introduced the 340 America, initially launched as a two-door coupe, later following that up with the launch of a two-door Spider cabriolet.
The 340 Americas, based on the 166/195/212 chassis, were the first Ferrari road cars to be fitted with an Aurelio Lampredi-designed engine, a 4101cc 250 cubic inch engine coupled with a 5-speed gearbox driving through a rigid rear axle.
While the engine had first been tried and tested on the racing circuits of Europe had been considerably detuned to meet the standards of road use, as well as being fitted with regular wet-sump lubrication.
Only a handful of Ferrari 340 Americas were sold during the two years that the car was in production till replaced by the 342.
Never an over-acheiver during its tentative production run, the 340 did pave the way for some interestimg custom built variations developed from the original 16/195/212 chassis.
Ferrari manufactured a limited quantity of 340 Americas, fewer than 25 units. The limited production of these items contributes to their current rarity and high desirability among collectors.
The collectability of the 340 America is primarily driven by its historical significance, limited production, and its association with the golden era of Ferrari. These factors contribute to its high demand among collectors. Well-preserved examples of certain items can often fetch high prices when sold at auction.
The Ferrari 340 America holds a significant place in the Ferrari legacy as a classic and iconic vehicle. It symbolises Ferrari's dedication to producing high-performance sports cars.
