340 Mexico's shipment to Carrera 1952

Love those historic pictures a lot! Where did you get them from?

 

they are very distinctive, the front and rear fender treatment reminds me of a dual ghia.

body by vignale, i believe?

maybe the dual ghia was too.

tom w

 

yup.

 

Very cool stuff. Love the second and third photos especially.

 

I didn't realize that the spider (on the hoist) actually went to Mexico too..

 

where the sponsordecals put on on the place of arrival?

How many different liveries were used on the 340 Mexico? There is at least the 1.2.3-version and the version with the white painted roof.

 

Dual ghia was built by ghia?

 

Which ship is this? Andrea Doria? Rex?

Art S.

 

of course!

duuuuhhhh on my part.

the fenders still remind of the vignale design of the ferrari mexico, though.

i have looked at the dual ghia up close and have driven one. the looks are an aquired taste. the handling is pure '55 dodge. heavy and squishy springs. the one i drove did not have a hemi. fairly peppy but very ponderous handling.

probably could be firmed up and made to handle fairly well. they are very heavy though. the ghia body work looks pretty high quality.

tom w

 

Great photos!

 

I was wondering the same thing. The RAF got the Rex in 1944 and the Andrea Doria didn't debut until 1953, so it must be another ship. Anyone??

T308

 

Without a doubt, either the SS Constitution or SS Independence while under the ownership of American Export Lines:

http://www.ssmaritime.com/ss-independence-constitution.htm
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From Road & Track, February 1953:

"Seen as they appeared at the dock in Italy, prior to leaving for Mexico and the Third Carrera Panamericana Mexico, the four Ferrari team cars presented a formidable appearance. These and the Mercedes were the only cars in the sport category which could be said to be an out-and-out factory entry. The three Vignale Ferrari Coupes and the open Vignale Roadster not only carried 4.1 litre engines, but four of the most outstanding European drivers...Alberto Ascari, Guiseppe Farina, Gigi Villoresi, and Luigi Chinetti, North American representative for the Ferrari company. Interesting additions to the cars, as pictured on this page, are the twin air-outlets in the hood, and the full-width, four-inch high, plastic bug deflector which fits into the moulding seen running across the hood. Each door panel has a concave section which allows the flush countour of the rear "fender" to act as a large air scoop for cooling the rear brakes. A vane at the front of the door helps to increase the air flow thru this slot. At the rear of the driver's seat (right hand) is located a very large fuel tank. This year, Pirelli is accompanying the Ferrari team with over 200 spare tires."
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Beautiful pictures.

I absolutely love these behind-the-scene stories.

 

i can't quite read the article above.

any suggestions to make it more clear?

tom w

 

Well done Wayne!

T308

 

340 Mexico was designed by Giovanni Michelotti when at Vignale's.

1/ #0222AT Panam 52 Villoresi-Cornacchia
2/ #0224AT Panam 52 Chinetti-Lucas 3rd OA
3/ #0226AT Panam 52 Ascari-Scotuzzi
4/ #0228AT Spider 52
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