Although the 340 Americamodel had previously been manufactured, its target was the competencies in the Americas, not the potential customers. The impact prompted Ferrari to take advantage of its expansion moment and create a new car for a new market.
In order to adapt to American customers, Ferrari conceived in 342 America, a vehicle that should have greater habitability inside and more practicality, in conclusion, a sports car for normal use, not for competitions.
Knowing that the Americans had an appetite for powerful cars, they decided to use a V12 engine driven to 4.102 cm3 with three Weber 40 DCF carburetors. The V12 delivered 220 hp at 6,000 rpm. But the car wasn't good at maneuverability. The need to move the engine ahead of the front axle to have a larger cabin completely destabilized the 342. Even the need to use a larger radiator forced a special redesign of the front of the body, which became too bulky.
Production of the vulgar 342 America lasted very little. Between the end of 1952 and the beginning of 1953, only 6 cars were manufactured, 3 were coupe and 3 convertible cars. The bodybuilder Vignale built a cabriolet, the other 5 cars were manufactured by Pininfarina.
Designers and engineers were upset and juggling to reconfigure this car to the required specifications. The V12 engine was very large and had to move 300 mm forward to accommodate four passengers inside. The wheelbase also stretched, now reaching 2,650 mm.
Another resource was to widen the car and its trails to provide more room for passengers' legs. When it was decided to use a larger radiator, the engineers had to remodify the chassis. The only specimen designed by Vignale is considered to be the best designed, especially on the front.
One indication of how unhappy this model was is that Ferrari never officially introduced it to the public. They simply sold it as soon as it was manufactured and with determined buyers. And even more curious, only one copy of 342 America was sold to a customer in the United States.
Top speed: 185 km/h (approx)
Wheelbase: 2.650 mm
© Adrián Blanco 2006 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
Ferrari 250 MM
Ferrari 250 Europe Ferrari 375 America Ferrari 250 Europa GT Ferrari 212 F1 Ferrari 340 Mexico City Ferrari 625 TF Ferrari 735 S Ferrari 575 GTC Evolution Ferrari Enzo P4/5 Pininfarina Speciale Ferrari 750 Monza Ferrari 375 MM