One to Buy: the 1956 Paris Motor Show Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1
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Ferrari originally commissioned Aurelio Lampredi to create a big block V12 in order to keep the company competitive in Formula 1 as Gioacchino Colombo’s original small block motor could not be sufficiently enlarged.
Over the next few years the Lampredi engine also went on to power a host of Ferrari Sports racing cars, but perhaps most famously it became the power unit of choice for Ferrari’s line of ultra exclusive road-going flagships.
During the winter of 1955-1956, the America-badged Ferraris that initially used the Lampredi motor made way for a new model dubbed Superamerica. With its freshly enlarged five-litre 340bhp engine, the 410 Superamerica was simply the ultimate Gran Turismo of its day.
Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction between August 17th and 19th is this rare Series 1 410 Superamerica: chassis 0497 SA.
Configured with standard Pinin Farina Coupe bodywork, 0497 SA was destined for display on Ferrari’s stand at the Paris Motor Show of October 1956 and to that end was completed in the stunning and rarely seen colour combination of Blu Artico with Naturale upholstery.
The car was subsequently sold to Geneva resident Samuel Norman who retained it until 1958. Chassis 0497 SA then spent time in Sweden, after which it was exported to the USA. The car is being offered in need of full restoration fresh from 47 year ownership.
