4,101 cc SOHC V-12, three Weber 40 DCF dual-choke carburetors, four-speed manual all-synchromesh gearbox, independent front suspension with transverse leaf spring and hydraulic lever shock absorbers, live rear axle with semi-elliptic rear springs and hydraulic-lever shock absorbers, four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 104.3"

• Ferrari’s Lampredi V-12-powered, ultra exclusive grand tourer

• One of only six examples built and three coupes by Pinin Farina

• 1953 Geneva Motor Show

• Rallye Soleil-Cannes competitor in 1953

• Known history; matching numbers

• Concours award-winner and recent participation at Pebble Beach and Colorado Grand

• Extensive work in current ownership

This fast and elegant Ferrari 342 America Coupe Speciale, one of just six 342 Americas built, was the 1953 Geneva Motor Show Car, and it foreshadowed exclusive, custom-built Ferraris to follow. It’s raison d’etre was classic. Enzo Ferrari understood that a big, powerful engine was essential for a winning competition car. Despite the versatility of the Colombo-developed V-12, as soon as Grand Prix regulations allowed naturally-aspirated 4.5-liter engines to compete with supercharged 1.5-liter power plants, Ferrari began the development of a larger-displacement version, engineered by Aurelio Lampredi. Immediate success in Ferrari’s 375 Grand Prix car, with what became known as the ‘longblock’ V-12, soon followed and Ferrari GP racers defeated Alfa Romeo’s vaunted 158 Alfettas.

To amortize development costs, the Lampredi V-12 became a natural choice for Ferrari’s versatile 340 Series. Racing variants included the 340 Mille Miglia and the 340 Mexico while road-going 340 Americas served Ferrari’s intent to provide a luxurious Grand Tourer for clientele who could afford the very best. Some 23 340 Americas were sold, ranging from racy berlinettas and spyders to luxurious cabriolets and coupes. They were constructed by several noted coachbuilders.

Slated to be even more exclusive than the 340, the 342 America would be produced with only six examples: a cabriolet by Vignale and two more cabriolets plus three coupes by Pinin Farina. Longtime Ferrari client King Leopold of Belgium and Enzo Ferrari himself ordered the first two cars. To facilitate the longer Lampredi engine, the 342 America had an extended, 2,650-mm wheelbase. The extra length better accommodated four passengers and their luggage, as befitting a proper grand touring car.

Although the 342’s purpose was not racing, Ferrari acknowledged the engine’s competition heritage by bestowing even chassis numbers on the small series, a practice hitherto reserved for racing cars. All six 342s were built with left-hand drive. The model designation carried the suffix “AL” for “America Lungo,” signifying the extended wheelbase chassis. In keeping with Ferrari practice, ‘342’ signified the individual cylinder capacity of its 200-bhp, 4.1-liter Lampredi V-12.

Chassis 0246AL, a Pinin Farina-bodied coupe, was displayed at the March 1953 Geneva Motor Show, before being sold by Scuderia Ferrari in Modena to James Gerard Murray from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the time of the sale, Mr. Murray was a temporary resident, in care of the Automobile Club of Italy at Corso Canalgrande in Modena. Later that year, s/n 0246AL was driven by Franco Fassio of Genoa in the Rallye Soleil-Cannes in the South of France. Before 1953 ended, the coupe was returned to Pinin Farina where its ‘wraparound’ rear window was replaced with rectangular rear glass.

In the Spring of 1954, New York City Ferrari dealer/importer Hofmann sold s/n 0246AL to Steve Briggs of Lake Forest, Illinois. He showed the car at the Wilmot Hills, Wisconsin Concours where it placed first in the Sports Car Class. From 1956 to 1989, s/n 0246AL was the property of William R. Peters of White Bear Lake, Minnesota—a remarkable period of over 30 years. It then passed to Brad Hallock of San Francisco. At that time, the odometer registered 43,168 kilometers. In 1990, after extensive refurbishing by Tom Valerio, it was eventually sold to a client of Wilfried De Buck. De Buck displayed the coupe at several Belgian events. The car changed ownership once more in 2004, during which time it was displayed at Concorso Italiano in Monterey and the Winter Park Concours in Florida where it won the Judges’ Choice and Best Vintage Ferrari awards.

After an engine overhaul it was displayed in 2007 at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Armando Ivan Flores became the owner in 2010. In August 2011, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The consignor, a noted California collector, purchased the car after its Pebble Beach appearance and elected to bring it up to an even higher standard.

He has $100,000US in receipts for work that included ensuring every detail on the car was correct, repainting the top black (it had previously been painted silver), re-plating some gold interior trim (which was correct and original to this car), replacing the seatbelts with the proper ones and sourcing a set of original taillight lenses (for $1,700!). As well, the brakes were redone, and the steering damper was replaced. This car completed the grueling Colorado Grand in 2011, a difficult test for any vintage car, after which the fuel pump and carburetors were fettled to ensure the Coupe Speciale runs and drives as it should.

This rare Ferrari, one of just five Pinin Farina-coachbuilt designs on the 342 chassis, features double air intakes on the hood that are similar to the King Leopold car. Its characteristic period Ferrari ‘egg-crate’ grille is tastefully outlined with a thin chrome band. Slender, blade-like bumpers are accented in the rear by unique double vertical tail lamps mounted on each fender corner. More discrete ornamentation includes thin strips that accent the hood scoops and chrome side sills which help integrate the front and rear bumpers.

Inside there’s a wood-rimmed steering wheel and dramatic, centrally-mounted instrument dials. A mastery of personalized understatement, this Ferrari 342 America will be welcome at vintage Ferrari events and premier Concours d’Elegance, wherever its new owner elects to display it. As a precursor to the later Ferrari Superamerica Series, the 342 America Coupe Speciale is a desirable example of a lovely period coachbuilt Ferrari.