The Ferrari 400 Superamerica was the luxurious follow-on model from the 410 Superamerica, as is often the case with Ferrari the 400 and 410 designations referenced swept capacity – the 410 used the 5 litre (~410cc per cylinder) “long-block” Lampredi-designed V12 and the 400 used the newer and more advanced Colombo-designed SOHC 4.0 litre V12. Interestingly, this was to be the first time that Ferrari would designate a model number by total swept capacity rather than single cylinder displacement.
Despite the 20% engine capacity reduction, the 400 Superamerica produced the same amount of power – 340hp at the rear wheels.
Production of the 400 began in 1959, the bodies were tasked to Pinin Farina and they were bolted onto a tubular steel frame, it all rode on independent suspension up front and a live axle at the rear, with power sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed transmission with overdrive.
At full chat the 400 could reach a top speed of 265kph (165mph), this made it a popular car with the jet-setters of the era – especially those with access to the autobahns of Europe or the long, unpatrolled highways of the United States.
Only 7 short wheelbase 400 Superamerica cabriolets were made before production shifted to the longer wheelbase model, the car you see here was the 3rd produced and as a result of its extreme rarity it’s valued at between $6 million and $7 million USD.
That may sound like an obscene amount of money, but vintage Ferraris have been outperforming almost any other investment over the past decade, which has made them popular with those who like the idea of parking some of their capital in their garage and giving it a spirited drive on Sundays.
This car recently underwent an exceedingly detailed restoration at the hands of Classic Coach and is now being offered at the Amelia Island Auction through RM Sotheby’s, if you’d like to read more about the car or register to bid, you can click here.
Photo Credits: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
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Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with well over a million monthly readers from around the world and many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
