Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III
At the 1958 Paris Motor Show, Pinin Farina debuted the new face of Ferrari luxury. On their stand was the Superamerica Series III prototype with new features such as covered headlights, C-panel louvers and an elongated egg-crate grill. This prototype set trend for 11 more production Coupés which were similarly styled.
The Series III trailed two earlier series which offered Ferrari’s highest levels of sophistication, exclusivity and performance. Built as the ultimate grand tourer, each car was custom ordered to receive unique bodies and many were made for auto shows or Ferrari’s best clients.
Power came from a potent version of the 4.9-liter engine that was a single-plug variant of the same Lampredi-designed engine that powered Ferrari’s biggest and baddest racecars of the period. Despite having the same ‘Tipo 126’ designation as the previous series, the design was updated to offer anywhere from 380 to 400 bhp. This was supported by a fairly basic steel tube frame with independent double wishbones upfront and a live axle in the rear.
Only 12 Series III cars were made and each used the Pinin Farina Coupé body style set out by the prototype 1015SA. The updated design was lent to all of Ferrari’s road cars including the 250 GT Coupe and 250 GT Cabriolet.
Pictures
See full 1958 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III Gallery here
Specs & Performance
type | Limited Production Car |
production years | 1958 – 1959 |
released at | 1958 Paris Motor Show |
built at | Modena, Italy |
production | 12 |
predecessor | 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series II |
successor | 1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I |
engine | Type 126A 60° V12 |
position | Front Longitudinal |
aspiration | Natural |
block material | Aluminum |
valvetrain | SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
fuel feed | 3 Weber 46 DCF Carburetors |
displacement | 4962 cc / 302.8 in³ |
bore | 88 mm / 3.5 in |
stroke | 68 mm / 2.7 in |
compression | 9.0:1 |
power | 283.4 kw / 380 bhp |
specific output | 76.58 bhp per litre |
bhp/weight | 330.43 bhp per tonne |
body / frame | Steel Body over Steel Tube Frame |
driven wheels | RWD |
wheel type | Borrani Wire |
front tires | 7.10-15 |
rear tires | 7.10-15 |
front brakes | Drums |
rear brakes | Drums |
steering | Worm & Wheel |
f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Transverse Lower Leaf Spring, Telescopic Shocks |
r suspension | Live Axle w/Locating Arms, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Telescopic Shocks |
curb weight | 1150 kg / 2535.75 lbs |
wheelbase | 2800 mm / 110.2 in |
front track | 1455 mm / 57.3 in |
rear track | 1450 mm / 57.1 in |
length | 4978 mm / 196.0 in |
width | 1727 mm / 68.0 in |
transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
tran clutch | Multi-Plate |
top speed | ~241.35 kph / 150 mph |
fuel capacity | 100 litres or 26.4 gal. |