Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale
The first 400 Superamerica, chassis 1517SA, appeared at the 1959 Salon de Torino as a Coupé Speciale for Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli. In somewhat of a daring move, the order was to design a car that didn’t appear like a Ferrari. The resultant Coupé Speciale.
With some vague instruction, Pinin Farina prepared the car with cues from the 410 Series II and the one-of 375 Coupé Speciale built for Agnelli in 1955. From the earlier show car came a squared-off front radiator and wrap around windscreen, while the rest of the car was bascially 410 Series II with twin front headlights.
Initially the car was presented to Gianni Agnelli, who send the car back for drastic alterations. The split-bumpers were changed to a full-width design and the side flanks of the car were outfitted with stainless-steel panels. Once the modifications were complete the car made an appearance at the 1959 Salone de Torino.
Pictures
See full 1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale Gallery here
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Limited Production Car |
| released at | 1959 Turin Motor Show |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| coachbuilder | Pinin Farina |
| production | 1 |
| engine | Type 163 Columbo,60° V12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 3 Weber 42 DCN Carburetors |
| displacement | 3967 cc / 242.1 in³ |
| bore | 77 mm / 3.03 in |
| stroke | 71 mm / 2.8 in |
| compression | 8.8:1 |
| power | 253.5 kw / 340 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 85.71 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 241.82 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 318.62 nm / 235.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm |
| body / frame | Steel Body over Tubular Steel Chassis |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | Pirelli 185-15 |
| rear tires | Pirelli 185-15 |
| front brakes | Dunlop Discs w/Servo Assist |
| rear brakes | Dunlop Discs w/Servo Assist |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 16.5 cm / 15.0 x 6.5 in |
| steering | Worm & Sector |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Radius Arms, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1406 kg / 3100 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2420 mm / 95.3 in |
| front track | 1359 mm / 53.5 in |
| rear track | 1350 mm / 53.1 in |
| length | 4300 mm / 169.3 in |
| width | 1778 mm / 70.0 in |
| height | 1300 mm / 51.2 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual w/overdrive |
| tran clutch | Multi-Plate |
| top speed | ~280.0 kph / 174.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~9.2 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 120 litres or 31.68 gal. |
