Milestone Meeting
Aviation and Automotive lore intersect in a historic Ferrari at Lyon Air Museum
Behold the very first 1951 Ferrari 340 America Vignale Berlinetta (sn 0082A)!
Ferrari entered this car in its 3rd Mille Miglia at the capable hands of Luigi Villoresi and Piero Cassani. Despite an early-on wet pavement shunt near Ravenna (damaging the front wheel and suspension) this amazing car and team persevered and won the event—a full 20minutes ahead of 2nd place (Bracco/Maglioli’s Lancia Aurelia). Two months later that year, piloted by Casimireo De Oliveria, thie Ferrari won the Portugal Grand Prix…and then went on to 4 additional top-5 finishes with Jose Arroyo Nogueria Pinto by September of 1952 .
Arguably, among the most notable and significant of competition Ferraris on the Lyon Air Museum tarmac
Since such an august start, this incredible, concours-winning car (1st in class at 1996 Pebble) has been owned by famed collectors—most notably and currently (since 1999), the caring hands and aegis of Jack Croul…who has campaigned this fabulous Ferrari in no less than 11 contemporary Mille Miglias!
The RHD cockpit, replete with jeweled instrumentation.
Pop-out Perspex rear window vents
The WWI homage logo adorns the wooden steering wheel
Vignale's handsome form set the aesthetic direction for performance touring cars of the era
This remarkable livery was recently brought to the renowned Lyon Air Museum (along with some additional, famous Ferraris) for a photoshoot to promote the upcoming “Ferrari Raduno” and “Celebrazione Ferrari” events this summer at the Museum.
Given Enzo’s early-on affection for aircraft (an their inspiration for the famed Ferrari logo) it’s entirely appropriate that famed Ferrari’s such as this incredible 340 America Berlinetta by Vignale would find itself shining on the tarmac among vintage aircraft.
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Comments (1)
Great car, excellent story and superb photographs, Royce! Many thanks for sharing!