1953 Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina Spyder

The Ferrari 375 MM, was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1953 up to 1955 for the road cars. It was named “375” for the unitary displacement of one cylinder in the 4.5 L V12 engine, and the “MM” stood for the Mille Miglia race. In total 26 units were made, including four converted from the 340 MM.

This 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina Spyder is the second of only 15 Ferrari 375 MM spiders bodied by Pinin Farina. Winner of two national championships in Argentina in 1954-55. 18 podium finishes, including 11 wins, between 1954-57. Discovered in Uruguay in 1983; restored in Italy 1984-86. Two Mille Miglia Storicas and four Monterey Historics, four Colorado Grands.

The 375 Mille Miglia carried on the Ferrari tradition of naming sports models after the famous Italian road race and was a spin-off of the F1 single-seater, just like its sister car, the 375 America, which was the GT equivalent. The engine was based on its F1 counterpart, albeit with a new crankshaft giving a shorter, 68 mm stroke but with a bigger bore for a larger, 4.5-litre displacement. The engine debuted in a 340 berlinetta at Le Mans where it was driven by Ascari and Villoresi. Subsequently Pininfarina built a series of around 10 spiders and a few berlinettas which were mainly fielded by privateers.

The 375MM’s chassis was conventional Ferrari, based on two parallel oval tubes in a welded ladder structure. Front suspension was independent by parallel unequal length A-arms with a transverse leaf spring, sway bar and Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers. The usual Ferrari solid rear axle with semi-elliptic springs, Houdaille shocks and parallel trailing arms (for location and taking braking and acceleration loads) was both well-proven and reliable. The 375MM broke no new ground and in common with most Ferrari sports-racers relied upon superior engine performance for its competitive edge.

As its name suggests, the 375MM was intended for the open roads and high speed circuits of European races. Predictable handling, robust construction and long, long legs were its attributes. The 375MM showed just how well Ferrari had conceived and developed it, winning frequently in 1953. Twelve 375MM spiders were built and are today among the most important and coveted of Ferrari’s classic Fifties sports-racers.

The 375MM series was later replaced by the 375 Plus, which featured a larger engine that was good enough for Ferrari’s much needed win at Le Mans.