Editor's Note: RM Auctions will have a very special 1950 Ferrari 275S/340 America crossing the block at the RM Auctions event in Monterey this August during Monterey Car Week. Thank you RM Auctions for permitting Monterey Car Week to publish these wonderful photos and the detailed article on our website. Enjoy vintage Ferrari aficionados!
Photo Credit: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys
1950 Ferrari 275s 340 America
- A Scuderia Ferrari 12-cylinder barchetta; Factory Mille Miglia entrant
- The first Lampredi-engined Ferrari sports racer
- Raced in period by Alberto Ascari, Giovanni Bracco, and Gianni Marzotto
- Displayed at the 1950 Salon de l'Automobile in Paris
- Ferrari Classiche attestation for competition cars
Chassis 0030 MT, born as one of only two 275S barchettas built, is a landmark Ferrari for a number of reasons. The car, which was originally bodied by Carrozzeria Touring, became the first Lampredi-engined Ferrari sports racer. As such, Ferrari gave this 275S and its new powerplant a trial by fire. Following testing around Maranello, 0030 MT travelled to Brescia, where it participated in one of the most grueling competitions in motorsport: the 1950 Mille Miglia.
Even with the legendary Alberto Ascari behind the wheel, along with Senesio Nicolini navigating, the pair failed to finish. However, this would not deter the Scuderia, and the 275S returned to Maranello, where it was upgraded to 340 America 4.1-liter V-12 specifications. During this time the Ferrari was also shown at the 1950 Salon de l'Automobile at the Grand Palais in Paris.
After its display, 0030 MT was purchased by Scuderia Marzotto, who continued to race the Ferrari throughout Italy, including twice more at the Mille Miglia in 1951 and 1952, as well as the Targa Florio.
Following a demanding racing career in Italy, which ended in 1957, the car was sold to the United States and subsequently purchased by Peter Markowski in 1967. He showed 0030 MT frequently and retained the car for over 30 years. After leaving his ownership, the Ferrari eventually made its way back to Europe, where it would return to competition as a historic racer. During this time, this highly significant Works Ferrari was a frequent sight at prestigious events, such as the Mille Miglia Storica and the Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge.
The sale of 0030 MT presents an unparalleled opportunity to acquire and enjoy one of Ferrari’s earliest racers, one that was bred during what many consider to be the Golden Era of motorsport where it was raced by such legends as Alberto Ascari, Giovanni Bracco, and Gianni Marzotto. It will be a surefire entrant in concours and historic racing events around the globe, especially since it has received the Ferrari Classiche attestation for competition cars. This is a significant automobile with few equals.
