The final Ferrari 400 Superamerica built and the last of a mere 14 closed-headlight Series II models
Ferrari Classiche certified
Retaining its matching-numbers chassis, engine and gearbox
Recently refinished in ‘Rosso Cina’ by Toni Auto in Maranello
Featured in the Italian 1960s comedy film ‘The Tiger and The Pussycat’, starring Vittorio Gassman
Boasting an unbroken chain of ownership and exhibited at a number of prestigious events including the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Just five owners from new, the second of whom kept it from 1971 until 2020
Dressed with a dramatic and desperately beautiful Pininfarina-designed Aerodinamico body, worthy of exhibition at the world’s greatest concours events including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The flagship twelve-cylinder Ferrari of the period, uniquely coach-built and sold to the marque’s most important clients with Enzo Ferrari’s personal blessing

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica

“Owning one should be the goal of every automotive enthusiast everywhere.” That’s how the famous American magazine Car & Driver summarised its in-depth review of the Ferrari 400 Superamerica back in 1963. Strong words indeed, but then this was no ordinary Prancing Horse.

The 400 Superamerica followed the tried-and-tested Gran Turismo recipe – one which, as the austerity of the War faded, was becoming more and more sought-after. Ferrari’s flagship model, it employed the legendary Colombo V12 in large four-litre form, a short- or long-wheelbase chassis, overdrive, disc brakes at all four corners (a first for a Ferrari road car) and a bespoke coupé or cabriolet body styled in a manner of different ways by Pininfarina.

Coach-built. We can’t emphasise enough how painstakingly built to the original owners’ exacting specifications these cars were. And said owners weren’t your average Ferrari customers – they were VIPs, loyal brand disciples, pop stars, captains of industry and even royals. Il Commendatore himself drove a 400 Superamerica. Need we say anymore?

Ferrari 400 Superamerica production was split into two series. The second, produced from 1962 – 1962, comprised a mere 14 long-wheelbase (2,600mm) closed-headlight cars, which were bestowed with a stunning Aerodinamico closed-coupé body by Pininfarina. It’s a dramatic design befitting of the world’s greatest motor show stands, with swooping curves, tapered overhangs, lashings of chrome and eleven exquisitely aligned vents in each of the front wings.

Chassis no. 5139 SA

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica we’re thrilled to be offering bears the distinction of being the final example built and the last of a mere 14 closed-headlight Series II Aerodinamico models. Chassis number 5139 SA left Maranello in January of 1964, finished in Grigio Argento over a sumptuous Nero Connolly leather interior. First registered in Rome, the Ferrari played a starring role in the 1967 Italian comedy film The Tiger and The Pussycat.

The film starred Vittorio Gassman as the married middle-aged Francesco Vincenzini, who was seduced by the beautiful art student Carolina (played by Ann-Margaret), who happened to be the ex-girlfriend of his distraught son. Still on its original Rome registration plate, chassis number 5139 SA earned generous screen time as Francesco’s day-to-day transport. We’ve a series of wonderfully evocative photographs of this Ferrari in Rome in the 1960s, its swooping Pinin Farina styling looking frankly other-worldly next to the comparatively pedestrian ‘civilian’ cars traversing the city.

The tale of this 400 Superamerica took a twist which could only have occurred in the 1960s – chassis number 5139 SA was sold via a transatlantic Alitalia pilot to Ed Niles, the Californian collector who arguably did more to pioneer the Ferrari marque in America than anybody bar Luigi Chinetti. Having been shipped across the pond on the SS Paolo D’Amico in September of 1968, this exotic Ferrari was refinished by Niles in red. Because in Jet-Age Hollywood, silver over black just wouldn’t cut it.

The car was acquired by one Ralli Dimitrius in early 1971. And amazingly, he kept chassis number 5139 SA for almost 50 years – right up until he sadly passed away in 2020 (it remained in his family’s estate). It was only then that this Ferrari made its way back across the Atlantic to Europe, after it was acquired by a collector in Germany. His first port of all was Toni Auto, the respected Ferrari specialist located a stone’s throw from the Ferrari factory in Maranello. In addition to a mechanical rebuild, the corresponding 100,000-euro project included refinishing the Superamerica in the alluring shade of Rosso Cina and an interior retrim.

Upon completion, chassis number 5139 SA was exhibited at Cavallino Classic in Modena and, more importantly, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. More recently, in September of 2023, chassis number was submitted for Ferrari Classiche certification. Certification it duly received, confirming the originality of the chassis, engine, gearbox and body.

In the period, these ultra-rare and highly exclusive flagship twelve-cylinder Ferrari Gran Turismos were the preserve of those who Enzo Ferrari personally held in the highest esteem – and were built to an accordingly high quality. Perhaps unsurprisingly, their stature in the market has remained lofty to this day, bolstered by their rarity, bespoke no-two-alike nature and, of course, exceptional beauty.

Chassis number 3559 SA distinguishes itself further with its mere five owners from new, stunning colour combination and Classiche-confirmed matching-numbers status. Whether you’re looking to reintroduce this 400 Superamerica Aerodinamico into the international concours circuit (to which it would be welcomed with open arms) or simply after a jaw-droppingly beautiful and astonishingly capable Gran Turismo for cross-continental jaunts, this is a Ferrari for the most discerning of collectors. In fact, 400 Superamericas reside in the world’s most prominent Ferrari collections. Here is an exceedingly rare chance to join them.

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