A 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta Competizione will be featured at the 2013 RM Auctions Villa d’Este Auction, scheduled for May 25th in Cernobbio, Italy as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend.
One of three works cars produced in 1953, the 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM, chassis 0320AM, was driven in period by no less than three World Champion drivers: Alberto Ascari, Nino Farina, and Mike Hawthorn.It was famously driven by Hawthorn and Farina in the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours, but it was disqualified from a 2nd place finish for the rather minor misdemeanor of taking on brake fluid during the race.
Aside from Le Mans, 0320AM was also driven in the Spa 24 Hours, in the hands of Alberto Ascari and Villoresi; the Pescara 12 Hours, where Hawthorn and Umberto Maglioli piloted it to overall victory; and at the Circuit of Guadeloupe, where Maglioli once again secured a victory. It also enjoyed a remarkable performance in the Carrera Panamericana, where, on the last stage, Maglioli averaged 138 mph for 223 miles, finishing 6th overall and establishing a public road stage record speed never broken anywhere in the world since.
After a period of long-term ownership in the United States, the car passed into the ownership of British industrialist and collector Sir Anthony Bamford, before being purchased by its current owner in 2004. Presented in restored condition, 0320AM is offered for sale today in the same livery it sported during the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours race. The estimate for 0320AM is available upon request to interested bidders.
Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions Europe, said, “Chassis number 0320AM presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for serious collectors to acquire one of the world’s most significant racing Ferraris. Genuine works Ferraris with a competition history such as this are very rare to the market, and we are truly delighted to be able to offer it at our most prestigious European sale.”
For more information, contact the RM London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070 or visit rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions; photos: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]
