JET AGE ICON—THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUPERAMERICA

Tracing its first appearance back to 1956, the Ferrari Superamerica was defined as a top-shelf flagship model that offered the finest in luxurious grand touring characteristics while being powered by a development of Aurelio Lampredi’s prodigious “tall-block” racing engine. The model underwent various shifts in engine and chassis configurations over the following decade, notably switching to an enlarged version of the classic Colombo-designed V-12 with the introduction of the 400 Superamerica in October 1959. As a more highly tuned predecessor of the 330 GT engine that appeared a few years later, this Type 163 motor developed a stout 340 horsepower.

The first series of 400 Superamericas rode a 2,420-millimeter wheelbase chassis that provided more athletic performance in comparison to the long-wheelbase version that followed nearly three years later. The short-wheelbase iteration was built in a smattering quantity of just 25 examples, and although the model was initially bodied as a cabriolet, the most definitive version was a coupe first introduced at the Turin Motor Show in October 1960. Bodied by Pininfarina, the Superfast II show car featured groundbreaking styling with an increased stress on aerodynamics, including a protruding tapered nose, delicate fender curves, and a sloping rear fastback.

Ferrari soon approved the design for limited production, and 17 examples were ultimately built in the body style now officially known as the Coupe Aerodinamico. It is worth noting that this coachwork style was not nearly as aesthetically successful when transferred onto the long-wheelbase Series II cars that followed, making the first-series cars more attractive in the eyes of many enthusiasts. Capable of robust performance, yet appointed for the ultimate luxury touring experience, the 400 Superamerica SWB was for a short time the elite flagship of European sports cars. It remains a favorite of many discerning Ferrari collectors today.

THE MAKING OF A CAVALLINO BEST OF SHOW-WINNER

Chassis number 2841 SA is the 7th short-wheelbase 400 Superamerica completed by Pininfarina as a Coupe Aerodinamico. Configured with open headlamps, and unusually equipped with Solex carburetors, the Ferrari was completed by October 1961, finished in Grigio Fumo paint and trimmed in Rosso leather. The Superamerica then made its public debut at the Paris Salon that same month.

A month later the Ferrari was sold to its first owner, Count Fritz Herbert Somsky of Geneva, Switzerland. Sometime during the following five years the 400 was exported to the United States and registered in the state of Idaho. After being owned during the 1970s by Barry Le Fave of Santa Ana, California, the Superamerica passed to fellow California resident Walter Harris, and by the time Mr. Harris offered the car for sale in 1980 the exterior had been repainted in Rosso.

Later that year Harris sold the Ferrari to Greg Garrison, a television producer living in Thousand Oaks, California, who was probably best known for producing The Dean Martin Show. During Mr. Garrison’s nearly 20 years of ownership, the Superamerica was repainted gray metallic, and later green.

In May 1999 the Coupe Aerodinamico was acquired from Garrison by Charles “Skeets” Dunn of Rancho Santa Fe, California, the well-known Ferrari enthusiast whose “Picnics” were some of the earliest marque-focused gatherings in the area. After winning its class at the 2001 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance, the Ferrari was treated to a thorough restoration that commenced in 2003, with Bill Pound addressing mechanical issues while Symbolic Motors refinished the coachwork in Blu Sera. Mr. Dunn went on to present the Ferrari at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where the Superamerica impressively scored 99.5 points during judging, and five months later the car won a Platinum Award at the Cavallino Classic.

In December 2007 Mr. Dunn sold the Ferrari to Vic Branstetter, a Southern California-based collector who is the owner of a major steakhouse chain, but he only kept the car briefly before it passed to another enthusiast in California. The restoration was nevertheless fastidiously maintained, as proven by the 400’s reception of a Platinum Award at the FCA gathering at Concorso Ferrari in Pasadena in May 2013.

In August 2013 the Ferrari was sold to a respected collector based in Woodside, California, and he entrusted the car to the well-known marque expert Brian Hoyt for a refinish of the exterior in Blu Scuro. The Superamerica then returned to Pebble Beach in 2014 to win a class award. The following month, the car’s highly desirable state of authenticity was confirmed when it was certified with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book.

In January 2017 the Ferrari was acquired by the current caretaker, a dedicated marque collector based in Kentucky. The new owner soon embarked on a tour of major concours d’elegance at which the car consistently earned high honors, starting with a class win, Best Ferrari award, and the prestigious Marquis of Blandford Award at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace in England in September 2017. This was followed by a class award at the Ferrari 70th Anniversary Concours d’Elegance at Fiorano a week later.

In 2018 the Coupe Aerodinamico returned to the Cavallino Classic to win a class award. Later that year it was exhibited at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Detroit and won Best of Show at the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance. In August 2019 the Ferrari took Best of Show at Concorso Italiano, and two months later it was warmly welcomed at the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance. In 2021 the Superamerica won its class while receiving an FCA Platinum Award at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, and in January 2022 the car again returned to the Cavallino Classic to win another Platinum Award. Then, in March 2023 the Superamerica won its class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

In mid-2023, with the recognition that 2841 SA’s cosmetics were in need of some attention, the consignor submitted the Ferrari to Classic Performance Restorations of Gilbert, Arizona, for nearly $100,000 worth of work that included replacing numerous seals, replating the chrome brightwork, and refinishing the coachwork in the magnificent deep shade of Blu Scuro. The Superamerica then returned to Pebble Beach, where it was awarded 2nd place in the Ferrari Grand Touring class. Awards continued in 2024 as the Coupe Aerodinamico won its class at Moda Miami, and received another FCA Platinum Award before making the journey to Abu Dhabi in December for the Cavallino Classic Middle East, where the car won the prestigious Best of Show award.

The highly decorated run of concours d’elegance that this Ferrari has achieved emphatically demonstrates its innate quality, authenticity, and significance within the collectable Ferrari niche. Its current state of presentation is nothing short of magnificent, as highlighted by the resplendent deep finish in Blu Scuro and supple Beige leather interior; and details like the Solex carburetors, Blaupunkt radio, and fitted leather luggage. Accompanied by a toolkit, this Coupe Aerodinamico would make a peerless addition to any Ferrari gathering, embodying rarity, powerful performance, and striking Jet Age styling. Collectors seeking to add a truly unique and significant vintage flagship Ferrari to their stable need look no further than this elegant example of Ferrari’s early 1960s halo model.