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Ferrari Profile
Ferrari | Profile 16
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1951 Ferrari 340 America Spyder
SCM’s Thor Thorson once reported that one 340 owner refused to take his car
on a vintage rally, as driving it was just too awful
By Steve Ahlgrim
Photos: Pawel Litwinski © 2010 Courtesy of Gooding & Company
Details
Years produced: 1951-52
Number produced: 25
Original list price: $20,000
SCM Valuation: $1m-$3m
Tune-up cost: $3,000
Distributor cap: $750
Chassis #: Left frame rail at third header
Engine #: Right rear near magneto drive
Club: Ferrari Club of America, P.O. Box
720597, Atlanta, GA 30358; Ferrari
Owners Club, 8642 Cleta St., Downey,
CA 90241
More: www.ferrariclubofamerica.org
Alternatives: 1950-53 Jaguar D-type,
1951-53 Maserati A6GCS,
1955-56 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
Coachwork by Vignale
Chassis number: 0140 A, Engine number: 0140 A
Chinetti sold the 340 to George Joseph Jr. of
Colorado, who was the Ferrari representative in the
originate from the earliest years of the company,
Some of the most fascinating Ferrari automobiles
a time when Enzo Ferrari was still in the process
of developing a recognizable identity for his
the SCCA newsletter describing the 340 America as ™A
-
ing clear that he would be forced to raise the bar in order
to maintain a position of distinction in international mo-
new Le Mans competition Vignale Spyder body two-
torsport and gain a foothold in the booming American
miles, most potent sports car in U.S.A., asking price
marketplace.
The 340 America featured a massive Lampredi-
The following years are well documented, and
version of the engine that powered Ferrari's Grand
Mr. Nickel was a passionate collector with a keen eye
for thoroughbred cars. He drove them with aplomb at
historic races and events around the world. His superb
made the 340 America the fastest sports car of its time.
talent behind the wheel gained him respect in the racing
community, and a portrait of Mr. Nickel and Phil Hill
speaks directly to the story of how Ferraris came to rep-
seated in the 340 America was one of his prized pos-
resent unrivaled glamour, speed and passion. Five 340
taillights recessed into sweeping rear fenders, parking
sessions.
lights mounted atop the front fenders and a notable lack
Europe to participate in the Mille Miglia retrospective,
of the typical Vignale ™portholes.
It is truly one of Vignale's masterworks on the 340
chassis.
built with the intention of completing a one-hour speed
record run. Although this speed trial never came to be,
dealer, Luigi Chinetti, and the 340 went on to gain noto-
riety at the New York Auto Show.
Phil Reilly & Company performed a cosmetic restora-
-
1951 Ferrari 340 America
Lot 322, s/n 0150 A
Condition 1
Sold at $897,000
RM Auctions, Maranello, Italy, 5/18/08
SCM# 116740
1951 Ferrari 340 America
Lot 448, s/n 0150 A
Condition 2
Sold at $852,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/18/06
SCM# 42671
1951 Ferrari 340 America
Lot 273, s/n 0126 A
Condition 2-
Sold at $973,500
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/19/05
SCM# 39216
34 Sports Car Market