Ferrari 400 SA Cabriolet

1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina

Offered by RM Auctions | Amelia Island, Florida | March 14, 2015

Photo - RM Auctions

Photo – RM Auctions

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica is a very underrated Ferrari. Maybe it’s not so much underrated as it is just unknown – only 47 were produced in total (compared to a similar vintage 250 California Spider, which is actually much more common, comparatively). A short-wheelbase cabriolet like this car is much, much rarer.

This beautiful machine is powered by a 4.0-liter V-12 making 340 horsepower. It has a smaller engine than the previous model (the 410 Superamerica) had and other upgrades. The first 400 Superamericas were all short-wheelbase cars – and only six of them were built.

The ownership history has this car bouncing between continents on either side of the Atlantic. More than half of the six SWB cars built were coupes, so this Pinin Farina Cabriolet, in wonderful Verde Bottiglia green paint – is pretty rare. The proceeds for this sale will benefit charity and it is expected to bring between $6,000,000-$7,000,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of RM’s Amelia Island lineup.

Update: Sold $6,380,000.

575 Superamerica

2006 Ferrari 575 Superamerica

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 10, 2014

Photo - RM Auctions

Photo – RM Auctions

The Ferrari 575M Maranello was the successor to the 550 Maranello and precursor to the 599 GTB Fiorano. Ferrari built a convertible of the 550, called the 550 Barchetta. And it was a success. So they decided to do the same thing with the 575M.

The Superamerica featured an electrochromic glass roof that rotated and stored flat over the trunk of the car. It has kind of a targa look to it instead of pure convertible. The engine is a more powerful version of the one in the hard top – that is, a 5.7-liter V-12 making 540 horsepower.

This two-owner car is one of only 599 built and has 7,700 miles. These cars were highly sought after for years after they were built and there will be a point where these cars no longer depreciate and start going up in value. Right now, you can get your hands on this one for between $235,000-$325,000. Click here for more info and here for more from RM in Monaco.

Update: Sold $330,540.

The 1st Ferrari 400 Superamerica

1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina

Offered by Gooding & Company | Monterey, California | August 17-18, 2013

1959 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe Speciale

If you compare this Ferrari 400 Superamerica to the other one we had featured in the past, you would see that the name “Aerodinamico” is very accurate to describe that car – especially in comparison to this one. This car looks downright boxy by comparison – but it also looks like it has been italicized – like the whole thing is leaning forward, itching to grab a gear and go.

This car was bought new by Gianni Agnelli – then-chairman of Fiat (a company that his family founded). The 400 Superamerica was the follow-up to the 410 Superamerica. It uses a 4.0-liter V-12 making a serious 340 horsepower. This was the first one built.

The styling by Pinin Farina is one-of-a-kind. Agnelli requested that it look like a Ferrari – and it does – but there are custom touches all around. He sold it in 1962 and it quickly became owned by actress Anita Ekberg – who thankfully never drove it through a fountain. It bounced around between owners after 1967 and in the early 1980s was donated to the Harrah Collection. The restoration was completed in 2004 under the care of its current owner.

Only 47 Ferrari 400 Superamericas were built and this is both the first one and the only one with a body like this – not to mention its unique and interesting ownership history. It should sell for between $3,750,000-$4,500,000. Click here for more info and here for more of Gooding & Company’s auction lineup.

Update: Not sold.

S/N: 1517-SA

Superamerica Coupe Aerodinamico

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico by Pininfarina

Offered by RM Auctions | Lake Como, Italy | May 25, 2013

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico by Pininfarina

The Ferrari Superamerica line of cars was the top-of-the-line model from an already top-of-the-line manufacturer. They used big V-12 engines and many had custom bodywork. They were intended for Ferrari’s most elite clients.

The 410 Superamerica was a super-fast, super-serious grand tourer. In 1959, Ferrari switched from the 5.0-liter V-12 to the 4.0-liter V-12 and the 400 Superamerica was born. The powerplant in this car makes 340 horsepower. It could do 160 mph and Enzo himself drove one. It was offered in two wheelbase lengths and it was the first Ferrari road car offered with disc brakes.

This car was sold new to the U.S. and features breathtaking bodywork from Pininfarina. The Coupe Aerodinamico body is just awesome. It’s both muscular and sleek – almost like a prototype of the forthcoming 500 Superfast. It passed through a number of owners in a number of different countries before being acquired by its current owner: Skip Barber.

Superamericas are some of the most collectible Ferraris. I’ve seen a few different numbers as far as production goes: I’ve seen “14” for the number of 400 Superamericas with this specific Pininfarina-designed body. RM says this is #12 of 36, but I’m unsure if they are referring to 400 Superamericas total, or just the SWB cars. Why am I unsure? Because I’ve also seen 47 as the number for total models built. Well there you go, the info is in there somewhere for you, make of it what you will. Oh, the price? A very large amount. Like between $2,500,000-$3,000,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $2,839,200.

410 Superamerica by Scaglietti

1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica

Offered by RM Auctions, Phoenix, Arizona, January 19-20, 2012

Sergio Scaglietti, whose Carrozzeria Scaglietti bodied this outstanding Ferrari 410 Superamerica, passed away about two weeks ago. Ferrari built less than 35 410 Superamericas, and this is the only Scaglietti-bodied car.

The stainless steel of the roof and amazing looking tailfins are quite striking. There is much sparkly, shiny silver chrome and steel on this otherwise red car that it makes a grand statement just sitting there.

The 410 used a 5.0 liter V12 that produced 335 horsepower in Series I guise. This Series II car (just one of six) makes even more. In their day, these were the exclusive Ferraris – costing more than twice the amount of a brand new 300SL Gullwing.

That price difference is evident today when Gullwing Mercedes’ are bringing closer and closer to a $1 million each. This car is estimated to fetch between $1.75 million and $2.25 million. More info on the car is available at RM’s site here and more information on the auction, here.

Update: Sold $1,815,000.