VIN: the Count Antonio Naselli Ferrari 375 Mille Miglia chassis 0490 AM
History of chassis 0490 AM
22 Ferrari 375 Mille Miglias were built and all but one received coachwork by Pinin Farina.
13 of these were configured as Spyders and eight were fixed head Berlinettas.
One Berlinetta was a complete departure from the norm (chassis 0456 AM) while the remaining seven broadly followed Pinin Farina’s ‘standard’ Berlinetta theme of the era.
Although conceived as a competition model, a sizeable portion of 375 Mille Miglias were commissioned as the ultimate road cars of their day. This included five of the seven ‘standard’ Pinin Farina Berlinettas, all of which differed in detail from one another, most obviously in terms of their bumper treatment, rear fenders and interior appointments.
Chassis 0490 AM was one of three Berlinettas to come with full width bumpers. Uniquely, Pinin Farina also equipped it with tail fins and elaborate engine cooling vents behind each front wheelarch. Myriad interior and exterior differences made it stand out as a true Berlinetta Speciale.
0490 AM was dispatched to Pinin Farina on March 10th 1955. It was hurriedly completed in time to star at the Turin Motor Show held between April 21st and May 1st. Painted ivory with a dark blue roof, beige interior and dark blue dash, 0490 AM returned to Pinin Farina after the show for several finishing touches to be applied.
Upon completion, it was sold to Rome Ferrari dealer and amateur racing driver, Inico Bernabei.
In early 1956, 0490 AM was purchased by Count Antonio Naselli of Trevinano, an Italian village in the Province of Viterbo. Naselli had previously owned and raced a Ferrari 212 Export (chassis 0088 E).
0490 AM was exported to the USA in 1960 where Luigi Chinetti had it repainted red. Through Augie Pabst, the car was sold it to Ed Weschler of Natosha, Wisconsin.
In 1970, Weschler sold 0490 AM to Carl De Bickero of Palos Heights, Illinois, who repainted it red with a black roof.
In 1972, De Bickero sold the car to Lawrence Slattery of Chicago, who kept it for 30 years.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
