Description

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale by Pininfarina is a rare and refined grand tourer built in the late 1950s and early 1960s for Ferrari’s most exclusive clientele. As the direct successor to the 410 Superamerica, the 400 Superamerica represented the pinnacle of Ferrari luxury and performance during that period. The Coupé Speciale designation applied to a handful of early, custom-bodied examples that showcased Pininfarina’s evolving design direction and Ferrari’s increasing emphasis on road-going prestige.

Unlike the earlier Lampredi V12s used in the 410, the 400 Superamerica introduced a Colombo-derived V12 engine, enlarged to 4.0 liters. This 3967 cc V12 produced around 340 to 360 horsepower, depending on configuration, and delivered smooth, powerful performance. Paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, the car could reach top speeds of over 250 km/h, putting it firmly among the fastest and most capable GTs of its day.

The chassis was shorter than the 410’s, measuring 2420 mm in wheelbase, which improved handling and gave the car a more modern proportion. Suspension featured independent front wishbones and a live rear axle, while braking was handled by four-wheel disc brakes—advanced equipment for a road car in the early 1960s.

The Coupé Speciale versions of the 400 Superamerica were unique creations built by Pininfarina, often as show cars or for very specific, high-profile clients. Each one had its own design features, but most shared an emerging theme of more angular lines, a lower and wider stance, and greater integration of glass and bodywork. The styling began to shift away from the round, flowing forms of the 1950s toward the cleaner, more geometric language that would define the next decade.

Inside, the Coupé Speciale featured luxurious materials, hand-stitched leather upholstery, polished wood or painted-metal dashboards, and full instrumentation. Comfort and elegance were emphasized as much as performance, with bespoke detailing tailored to the tastes of each customer. These interiors reflected Ferrari’s growing attention to refinement, marking the transition from racing-focused spartan cabins to true grand touring luxury.

Only a handful of 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale models were produced, making them extremely rare. Each one was effectively a prototype or one-off, serving as a bridge between Ferrari’s past of handcrafted, coachbuilt exclusivity and its future of more standardized but still elite production.

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale by Pininfarina stands today as one of the most significant and collectible Ferrari road cars of the early 1960s. It reflects a moment when Ferrari, guided by Pininfarina’s design vision, was redefining the grand touring car for an international clientele that valued speed, elegance, and absolute individuality.