VIN: the ex-Michel Paul-Cavallier Ferrari 400 Superamerica Spyder California chassis 2311 SA
/ Ben Tyer
HISTORY OF CHASSIS 2311 SA
Chassis 2311 SA was a uniquely configured first series 400 Superamerica commissioned by French industrialist and Ferrari board member, Michel Paul-Cavallier.
Paul-Cavallier was the President of the Pont-a-Mousson foundry in north eastern France and had already commissioned a brace of spectacular Ferrari road cars using the firm’s best competition offerings; in 1953, he had taken delivery of a grey 375 Mille Miglia Berlinetta (chassis 0368 AM) which was followed two years later by an ivory 410 Sport Berlinetta (chassis 0594 CM).
Unsurprisingly given his past history, Paul-Cavallier did not want just any 400 Superamerica. Instead, he ordered 2311 SA with Spyder California bodywork from Scaglietti. With its four-litre 340bhp engine, this may well have been the quickest Spyder California ever built.
Other aspects of the specification included an external fuel filler cap, long-rang fuel tank and covered headlights. Interestingly, like his previous 375 Mille Miglia and 410 Sport, Paul-Cavallier ordered chassis 2311 SA in right-hand drive which was the favoured layout for racing cars of the day. No other 400 Superamerica was ever completed in anything other than left-hand drive.
The believed Rosso over Naturale liveried 2311 SA was signed off on May 5th 1961 and delivered to Paul-Cavallier’s residence, Chateau de Gentilly in Maxeville, Meurthe-et-Moselle. It was retained for a little under three years, by which time Paul-Cavallier had taken delivery of another one-off 400 Superamerica, this time with a GTO style body (chassis 4561 SA).
By February 1964, chassis 2311 SA had been exported to the UK where it was registered 7 HLA and offered for sale by Maranello Concessionaires. It soon found a buyer and resided in London with a couple of owners until 1969 when it headed back to France.
A succession of European custodians followed before 2311 SA returned to the UK during the mid 1980s.
In 1986 it joined the collection of Robert Lee in Nevada where it has resided ever since.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Classic & Sportscar - https://www.classicandsportscar.com/
