Ferrari 340

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The Ferrari 340 is a sports or sports racing car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Ferrari and built in various versions from 1951 to 1953 . The Ferrari 342 America also belongs to the model family. The name goes back to the rounded content of a single cylinder.

340 America (1951)

Main article: Ferrari 340 America

From 1951, Ferrari added larger models to its range in addition to the models with the smaller V12 developed by Gioacchino Colombo , which were powered by variants of the larger V12 engine developed by engineer Aurelio Lampredi based on the Colombo V12, mainly for racing. The main structural difference between the two V12 engine families, along with other changes, was the increased cylinder spacing in the Lampredi V12 from 90 to 108 mm, which allowed larger bore dimensions.

The first such series model was the Ferrari 340 America, first shown at the Paris Salon at the end of 1950, the name of which indicated where the plant primarily intended to sell these more expensive models.

The 4.1-liter V12 (bore × stroke: 70 × 68 mm) produced 162 kW (220 hp) at 6000 rpm with three Weber 40DCF double carburetors and 8: 1 compression. Later models received dry sump lubrication instead of wet lubrication. Otherwise, the technology of the 340 America, which was mainly used in motorsport, with box frame, front double wishbones, a rear rigid axle and drum brakes all around the other contemporary Ferrari models.

A total of 5 coupés with Ghia bodies, 7 barchettes and two coupés from Touring as well as 5 coupés, 5 Spider and a convertible from Vignale (based on designs by Giovanni Michelotti ), a total of 25 copies of the 340 America were built on the short wheelbase of 2420 mm in 1951 .

340 Mexico (1952)

In 1952 Ferrari prepared four vehicles derived from the 340 America on the long wheelbase of 2600 mm for participation in the Carrera Panamericana and named them 340 Mexico for the occasion.

Thanks to higher compression and other carburetors, the 4.1-liter V12 in the Mexico developed 206 kW (280 hp) at 6600 rpm. Vignale bodyworked all four Mexico cars, three as a coupé and one as a Spider. The Spider did not start at the Carrera, one coupé fell out on the first day, another on the third day and one took third place in the end.

340 MM (1953)

Main article: Ferrari 340MM
Ferrari 340 MM

In the 1953 season, Ferrari competed in GT races with the 340MM (Mille Miglia) with a wheelbase of 2500 mm. Here the 4.1 liter SOHC-V12 developed 221 kW (300 hp) at 6600 rpm thanks to three Weber 40DCF carburettors.

A total of 10 copies were made, two Spiders with touring bodies, 5 Vignale Spiders (based on Michelotti's design) and three Pinin Farina Berlinettes.

The 900 kg light 340MM won its first race, the Giro di Sicilia in April 1953, and shortly afterwards also the Mille Miglia and served as the starting point for the development of the Ferrari 375MM with a larger 4.5-liter V12.

342 America

ferrari 342 America

As a civilian GT model, Ferrari introduced the 342 America in 1952 with a longer wheelbase of 2650 mm and with a throttled 4.1 liter engine. In the 342, the machine officially had 206 kW (280 hp). While the racing versions had a five-speed gearbox, the 1200 kg heavy 342 was content with a four-speed unit.

6 copies of the 342 America, 3 coupés and 2 convertibles (one of them with a 4.5 liter V12) with Pininfarina body and a Vignale convertible were built.

literature

  • Godfrey Eaton: The Complete Ferrari. Edited by Geoff Willoughby. Cadogan Books, London 1985, ISBN 0-947754-10-5 , pp. 42, 47, 49, 52f. and 350.

Web links

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