In a three year period, Ferrari produced only six cabriolets on the Superamerica Series I chassis. Other chassis in the series of 25 cars included the more popular Coupé Aerodynamico body or were built as a one-offs. The large, fast and luxurious 400 Superamerica replaced the outgoing 410 model and continued Ferrari’s tradition of custom-built supercars. Each was specially built for their first owner and no two were exactly alike.

Unlike the Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III, the 400 Superamerica used a version of the Colombo short-block V12. Typically found in the 250 GT, this unit was enlarged to four-liters and could produce a very ample 340 horsepower.

Chassis details for the 400 Superamerica were similar to the outgoing model with a reduced wheelbase from 2600 to 2420 mm. Later a 400 Series II was produced with a longer wheelbase to accommodate rear seats.

The first 400 Superamerica appeared at the 1959 Salon de Torino as a Coupé Speciale for Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli. This was followed by three cabriolets similar in style to the 410 Series III with open headlights. The fourth car was built as a Superfast II showcar for the 1960 Salone de Torino and was later converted into the Superfast III and IV.

For the ninth car in the series Pinin Farina debuted the Coupé Aerodynamico design at the 1961 Salon de Genève on chassis 2373SA. It borrowed many cues from the Superfast II showcar. This included the long rear overhang which made the car much more dramatic at the rear. Of the 25 Series I examples, 14 were bodied in this shape some with protruding a protruding front nose and covered headlights, while others followed the more classic Pinin Farina eggcrate grill with open headlights.

By September of 1962 Ferrari updated the 400 Superamerica chassis to have a longer wheelbase of 2600 mm and these became known as the Series II. Series I coupés aerodinamico had open hood air scoop while series II cars had covered scoop and slightly longer wheelbase.

Pictures

1963 Ferrari 400 SA LWB Coupe Aerodinamico Series II 4113SA – sold for $2,915,000 The sixth of eighteen Series II long-wheelbase examples. The third of four open-headlight Series II Coupes. Matching-numbers example; Ferrari Classiche certified. Single owner for 30 years. Recent comprehensive restoration by Motion Products Inc. Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series II Coupé Aerodynamico 3949SA – sold for $2,365,000. Spectacular Ferrari Show Car with One-Off Bespoke Features. Factory-Equipped with Fitted Luggage, Marchal Lights and SNAP Extractors. Owned by the Goldschmidt Family for Over 40 Years. Matching-Numbers Example with Three Owners from New. Pictured in the Books Automobile Year and Le Ferrari di Pininfarina. Featured on the Cover of Cavallino. Displayed at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic and Amelia Island. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Auction Source: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe Aerodinamico 5021SA – did not sell for $1,100,000. Formerly the Property of Daniel Sielecki. The 1963 Torino Auto Show Car. The 14th of 18 LWB Series II 400 Superamericas. Desirable Covered Headlight Variant. Exceptionally Stylish Pininfarina Coachwork. Originally Finished in Grigio Argento with Black Leather and Red Carpets. Matching-Numbers Example. Eligible for a Wide Variety of Driving Events and Tours. Superb Candidate for a High-Point Restoration. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Auction Source: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company