Ferrari 500 Superfast America series

The Ferrari America is a series of grand touring machines made by the Italian manufacturer between the 1950s till 1960s. They were large grand tourers and the best way to provide a comfortable ride for long-distance touring. The first Ferrari America was the 340 America, which was introduced in 1950. They all came with a V12 powerplant that provided enough power to glide through roads.

The models that came to America, used a live axle in the rear, had an engine in the front, and came with worm and sector steering systems. Overall it was a good sort after car, and enthusiasts love the fact that it comes from the iconic front-engined Ferrari era. For the year 1964 to 1966, the 500 Superfast came under the American series of Ferrari.

This was the pinnacle of the Ferraris America series, the 500 Superfast was a gem of a car. It has a limited production run of 36 cars made between 1964 to 1966. Making it one of the rarest Ferrari models ever made. The car was aimed at people with deep pockets, who wanted to have a very special, limited-number, front-engine grand tourer, with exquisite design.

Today, the Ferrari 500 superfast is one of the most desired Ferrari models to be ever made. The combination of rarity, performance, and a unique but beautiful design makes it a collector’s dream, to add it to their garage.

How did it perform?

The 500 Superfast was the flagship Ferrari of that era, and it came with a melodious 5.0 Liter Columbia V12 engine that produced upwards of 400 horsepower. The handling of the Superfast was heavily praised for its balance and precision.

It featured advanced technology for its time, including independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, which help to improve the car’s handling characteristics.

The 500 Superfast had a well-tuned chassis and steering system that provided a responsive and engaging driving experience. It also got a potent V12 engine, and since it is a naturally aspirated block it provided precise throttle response, for better control over the car. Later, America also came with a 5-speed manual gearbox in place of the earlier 4-speed plus overdrive.

How was the design?

The 500 Superfast was presented at the 1964 Geneva Salon, the design of the car was truly a masterpiece and it is still classified among the best-looking Ferrari design to date. It was designed by none other than Pininfarina, the sleek, angular lines and unique rear-end treatment gave it a distinctive and memorable look.

The design of the car is not only limited to the aesthetics of the car, but it also helps to improve aerodynamics, so the car remained planted during high-speed situations.

Was the interior comfortable?

The interior of the Ferrari 500 Superfast was designed to offer an exotic and comfortable driving experience. It features a high-quality leather seat that provided excellent support and comfort. The dashboard is placed in a logical and intuitive manner, with all the controls and instruments easily accessible by the driver.

The car also features power windows, which was a relatively new and advanced feature of the time, as well as air conditioning as standard equipment. The interior was finished beautifully finished with high-quality materials and attention to detail, which added to the sense of luxury and exclusivity.

Did the car carry any racing heritage?

Despite being primarily designed as a grand tourer, the Ferrari 500 Superfast has an impressive racing pedigree. The car’s powerful V12 engine and advanced technology made it a formidable track competitor, and it was frequently entered in races and rallies during its production run.

In 1964, the 500 Superfast competed in the 12 Hours of Sebring, finishing second overall and cementing its reputation as a capable and competitive racing car. The car was also used in endurance races such as the Tour de France Automobile, where it demonstrated its speed and dependability. The racing pedigree of the 500 Superfast contributed to its reputation as a high-performance grand tourer.