Become a Member: Get Ad-Free Access to All Our Content

1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta Speciale

1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta Speciale

To showcase what was possible with possible at the highest level, Pinin Farina made this one of supercar on chassis 0490AM. It was built on the 375 MM chassis which at the time was the most potent chassis that Ferrari was offering to private racing teams.

Like the competition cars, Pinin Farina used an all-aluminum body for the Berlinetta Speciale. The overall shape was similar to the regular Berlinetta except this version had a oval egg crate grill which was first introduced on the 250 Europa GT model. Over the rear fenders, the body kicked up more prominently and concluded with a small fin. By 1957 Ferrari’s 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ adopted similar fenders.

Made for the 1955 Turin Motor Show, the Speciale was highly trimmed with a full leather interior and spare tire in the rear to remind the viewer of its competition roots. Three small chromed louvres were installed into the window which was a direct nod to the upcoming 14-louvre ‘Tour de France.’

A similar car to 0490AM was built for the Paris Motor Show on chassis 0393GT, a 250 Europa GT. Later the theme was extended to 425GT a 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ built for the 1956 Geneva Motor Show.

Having a 375 competition chassis meant that 0490AM benefited from the Tipo 108 60º V12 that could produce roughly 340 bhp. With it’s lightweight body, the car was theoretically possible to reach 175 mph.

After its show service 0490AM stayed in Italy with private owners until it was shipped to Chinetti Motors in New York and painted red. It remained in the US and was restored in 2003 by Motion Products, Inc. showing just 20,990 miles on the odometer. Later in 2004 it was shown at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours, 2005 Cavallino Classic and 2005 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza.

Story by Richard Owen

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type One Of
built at Maranello, Italy
body stylist Pinin Farina
coachbuilder Pinin Farina
engineers Aurelio Lampredi
production 1
engine Tipo 108 60º V12
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
ignition Twin Magneto
block material Aluminum Alloy
valvetrain SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed Weber 40 IF 4/C Carburetors
displacement 4522 cc / 274.24 in³
bore 84 mm / 3.31 in
stroke 64 mm / 2.5 in
compression 9.0:1
power 253.5 kw / 340 bhp @ 7000 rpm
specific output 75.19 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 377.78 bhp per tonne
body / frame Aluminum Body over Tipo 102 Steel Tube Frame
driven wheels RWD
wheel type Borrani RW 2989
front tires 6.00×16
rear tires 7.00×17
front brakes Hydraulic Drums
rear brakes Hydraulic Drums
front wheels F 40.6 x 12.7 cm / 16.0 x 5.0 in
rear wheels R 40.6 x 12.7 cm / 16.0 x 5.0 in
steering Worm & Wheel
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Transverse Leaf Spring
r suspension Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Twin Houdaille Shock Aborbers
curb weight 900 kg / 1984 lbs
wheelbase 2600 mm / 102.4 in
front track 1325 mm / 52.2 in
rear track 1320 mm / 52.0 in
length 4175 mm / 164.4 in
width 1325 mm / 52.2 in
height 1320 mm / 52.0 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual
tran clutch Multiple Disc
top speed ~281.57 kph / 175 mph