1955 Ferrari 375 America Berlinetta Modificato

Shadlun's shop was a perverted museum of the most beautiful automobiles, all of them crippled by wreckage, fire or simple neglect

by Steve Ahlgrim

In the early 1950s Enzo Ferrari began to manufacture road-going Grand Tourismo cars. The 250 Europa and 375 America series are generally considered to be Ferrari's first production models, although only 18 of the former and twelve of the latter were built. In period, the Europa and America were considered to be the world’s ultimate GTs, and were ordered by such luminaries as Roberto Rossellini, Tony Parravano, Ingrid Bergman, and the former King of Belgium, Count Somsky. The 250 Europa, with its 3-liter V12, was designed for travel on continental roads, while the 375 America's 300-hp, 4.5-liter, Lampredi V12 was ideal for rapid transport on America's new interstates. The two models differed only in their engine size, with chassis, gearbox, suspension and bodies essentially identical. The car on offer here was purchased by Dr. Guida Balestra on Nov. 13, 1954. S/N 0315AL was delivered in 3-liter form; however, Dr. Balestra decided he would rather have a...