ACHIEVING ULTIMATE LUXURY—THE COUPE AERODINAMICO

If there is such a thing as a formula for the ultimate luxury flagship, Ferrari had certainly mastered it by late 1961. For at the Paris Salon that September, Maranello presented the featured lot, an automotive jewel both powerful and elegant. It is a breathtaking example of one of Ferrari’s quintessential vintage flagship models: the 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico.

The Superamerica model had been consistently developed from its inception in 1956, evolving into a short-wheelbase chassis powered by a 4.0-liter Colombo engine with the introduction of the 400 Superamerica in October 1959. A year later at the Turin Motor Show, this exceptional mechanical platform was clothed in its definitive coachwork variant, a Pininfarina design initially called the Superfast II. The new body featured a protruding tapered nose, delicate fender curves, and a sloping rear fastback, stressing aerodynamics through groundbreaking styling.

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 balanced when transferred onto the long-wheelbase Series II cars that followed, making the first-series examples not only more maneuverable, but also more attractive in the eyes of many enthusiasts. Capable of athletic performance yet appointed for the ultimate luxury touring experience with sumptuous leather-upholstered interiors, the 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico was the elite flagship of its day, and it remains one of the marque’s most celebrated halo models.

THE MAKING OF A CAVALLINO BEST-OF-SHOW WINNER

Chassis number 2841 SA is the seventh 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, forever sealing its identity as one of the marque’s important show cars.

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 best known for producing The Dean Martin Show.

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 fellow Southern California collector Vic Branstetter, 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 events, and 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 the car was exhibited at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Detroit, and it 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 400 won its class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

In mid-2023, with the recognition that 2841 SA’s cosmetic elements 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 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 ModaMiami, and it 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.

Chassis 2841 SA’s decorated concours résumé emphatically demonstrates the car’s superior quality and exquisite condition. The Superamerica’s state of presentation is nothing short of magnificent, as highlighted by the resplendently deep finish in Blu Scuro and supple Beige leather interior; and details like the correct Solex carburetors, Blaupunkt radio, and fitted leather luggage. Also accompanied by a tool kit, this Coupe Aerodinamico would make an important addition to any Ferrari gathering, claiming rarity, powerful performance, and striking Jet Age styling.

Collectors seeking to add a truly unique and significant flagship Ferrari to their stable need look no further than this highly awarded example of Maranello’s seminal halo model.