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Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti

The history of the Ferrari 375 MM

Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti
Ferrari 375 MM Scaglietti
The Ferrari 375 MM was born as a result of political changes in competition. When Formula 1 regulations changed and provided for the 1952 and 1953 championships to be contested with the same technical specifications as the F2 cars, Ferrari looked for a way to take advantage of the V12 engines it would have available. The new generation Ferrari Formula 1 would have four-cylinder engines.

The first Ferrari 375 built bore the 375 Americadesignation, given that the huge engine and the large overall size made it an ideal vehicle to offer to the emerging American market. The first specimens used the same Formula 1 Type 102 engine then, for reliability reasons, the engine was reconfigured to Type 108, some torque was lost but the power was maintained.

Ferrari designs 375 MM

Ferrari manufactured 26 375 MM cars between 1953 and 1954. Most of these cars were carriaged by Pininfarina, mostly in Spyder and Berlinetta versions. Some cars (supposedly 5) were designed by other bodybuilders especially at the request of very wealthy customers.

One of the outstanding customers was the famous film director Roberto Rosselini. The 375 MM acquired by Rosselini was a Spyder designed by Pininfarina. But the film director wanted another option, he was more interested in having a coupe.

The car was taken to Scaglietti to develop a new body. The team's designers were inspired by the then-new Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. They copied the overall look by adapting the body to the dimensions of the Ferrari.

This Ferrari 375 MM designed by Scaglietti (see photo) is a unique specimen that has participated in elegant competitions, winning awards at the “Ferrari concours d'elegance”.

Technical specifications of Ferrari 375 MM

  • Front engine V12 at 60º “Type 108”
  • Displacement: 4.523 cm3
  • 24 SOHC valves
  • 3 Carburetors Weber 40 DCZ
  • Manual 4-speed gearbox
  • Rear wheel drive
  • Brakes: drum on 4 wheels
  • Suspension: independent on 4 wheels

  • Power: 340 hp at 7,000 rpm

  • Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 6 s

  • Top speed: 240 km/h

  • Wheelbase: 2.800 mm

  • Rims: 16 inches
  • Weight: 900 kg
  • Weight to power ratio: 0.37 hp/kg

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© Adrián Blanco 2006 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —

por Adrian Blanco