1953 Ferrari 340/375MM Berlinetta Competizione at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

1953 Ferrari 340/375MM Berlinetta Competizione at Amelia Island

Right at the entrance to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, last year, was an RM Auctions booth with this majestic 1953 Ferrari 340/375MM Berlinetta Competizione on display. It was a sort of tangible promotion for the auction they would be running in Lake Como, Italy later in the year, and what a way to draw attention! As a well-decorated classic racing car, this Ferrari 340/375MM Berlinetta Competizione just screamed top-dollar, and it wound up selling for around $13 million (9,856,000 Euros).

Many may wonder what makes this car $13 million worth of “special.” Just remember that cars have become like fine art at this point, and historical significance plays a huge role in these astronomical values. Most notably this car, chassis number 0320AM, helped to propel Ferrari to victory in the 1953 Manufacturer’s Championship. While it only took first place at the 12 Hours of Pescara, this 340/375MM managed to accrue many solid finishes that helped Ferrari earn valuable points. In particular, it placed 6th in the infamous Carrera Panamericana, and the car set a record over a stage of the race that has yet to be broken — averaging 138mph over 223 miles on public roads (yes there was pedestrian traffic during many races back then). Now just imagine trying that in even a fast modern car, let alone one with 1950s era technology, like this Ferrari.

Helping the 340/375MM Berlinetta Competizione attain such a rapid pace was its 4.5L V12 that produced a substantial 340hp. Keep in mind this is 340hp in a car weighing well under a ton, with a live rear axle, leaf springs and crude tires. That average stage speed of 138mph is a velocity that most modern cars today can barely reach, if at all. This Ferraris performance is still quite respectable today, 60 years later, and I find that quite impressive.

Since its racing career, 0320AM has been well decorated on the concours circuit, with awards at Pebble Beach (USA), The Louis Vuitton Classic (France), and the Goodwood Revival (Britain). As stated above, it was auctioned off last year by RM Auctions, so hopefully its new owner will continue to show the car at prestigious automotive events around the world. Enjoy the photos.