An incredible 1950s racing Ferrari soon to be on sale in Monaco
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If certain Ferraris such as the 250 series or the F40 supercar have become great classics, visible at all shows devoted to collector’s vehicles, the 340 MM is much more rarely presented to the general public. Probably because it is even rarer, with only about ten examples made by the prancing horse brand in the early 1950s, with the aim of winning the Mille Miglia in 1953 and the world sports car championship. . The vehicle soon to be offered for sale by RM Sotheby’s, bearing chassis number 0350 AM, is one of four Vignale-bodied 340 MM examples to have survived to the present day. This makes it a particularly attractive vehicle from a historical point of view and particularly interesting to collect. This sporty vehicle had been sold new to a famous American, also a sports car manufacturer, a certain Sterling Edwards. The car then achieved numerous racing successes between 1953 and 1955 on the American continent, including an overall victory at the 1954 races at Pebble Beach and Palm Springs.
Nearly 300 hp in 1953
Ferrari 340 MM Spider | Photos of Italian Thoroughbreds+22
Photo Credit – Theodore W. Pieper ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
The 340 MM is a Ferrari specially designed for competition, with a 4,102 cc V12 engine producing around 300 hp, a phenomenal value for the time. This thoroughbred Italian was equivalent to the excellent Mercedes 300 SLR of the time, but remained particularly demanding in terms of driving. The great power it developed, transmitted to the rear wheels, was difficult to master, so few pilots succeeded in taming it despite its obvious potential in progress. Driver Giannino Marzotto still won the 1953 Mille Miglia at the wheel of a barchetta version of the 340 MM, bodied by Vignale, setting an average speed record of over 142 km/h. The top speed of such a machine could reach up to 282 km/h according to Ferrari. A five-speed gearbox can propel this spider, which weighs only 850 kg empty, with great vigour. This mass greatly increased once the tank was filled, because the tank could hold up to 177 liters of fuel! With a clear history and a prestigious image, the copy soon offered for sale by RM Sotheby’s, in Monaco, is worth between 6 and 8 million euros.
to summarize
Manufactured in only ten copies in 1953, the Ferrari 340 MM was a monster of power for the time with nearly 300 hp. Coming from an ingeniously designed 4.1 V12 engine fed by three Weber carburettors, such power allows this thoroughbred Italian to reach a top speed of 282 km/h according to the manufacturer’s official figures. One of the four surviving examples of this exceptional car will be offered for sale by RM Sotheby’s on May 14, 2022 during an auction taking place in Monaco. Thanks to its prestigious history as well as its very good state of presentation, this Ferrari 340 MM is estimated between 6 and 8 million euros.
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