1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series I
- Engine
- 4.96L V12 (Tipo 126 Lampredi tall-block), triple 42mm Weber carburetors, 340 hp
- Colour
- Arctic blue ('Blu Artico')
Chassis 0497 SA is the tenth of twelve first-series Ferrari 410 Superamericas bodied by Pinin Farina, and one of the rarest surviving examples of Maranello's flagship 1950s grand tourer. Completed in May 1956 in the exceptionally uncommon Blu Artico over Naturale leather specification, it was exhibited on the Ferrari stand at the 1956 Paris Salon alongside the Superfast concept. Subsequent ownership passed through Switzerland, Sweden, and eventually the United States, where the car spent nearly five decades in warehouse storage before appearing at auction.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,810,000
- 1956 → 1958Factory deliverySamuel Normanpartial documentation
Geneva-based resident who took delivery of the car following its Paris Salon debut; first retail owner.
- 1958 → 1958-04-01Private saleTore Bjurströmpartial documentation
Prominent Swedish Ferrari distributor who imported the car to Sweden early in 1958 before selling it on within months.
- 1958 → 1959Private saleTore Bjurströmpartial documentation
Reacquired the car after Esmark's return; subsequently passed it to Joakim Bonnier for sale efforts.
- 1958-04-01 → 1958Private saleSven Esmarkpartial documentation
Resident of Växjö, Sweden; returned the car to Bjurström roughly six months after purchase for unspecified reasons.
- 1959 → 1959Acquisition unknownJoakim Bonnierpartial documentation
Celebrated Swedish racing driver based in Rougemont, Switzerland, who attempted unsuccessfully to find a European buyer before arranging export to the United States.
- → 1974Private salePete Shermanpartial documentation
Motorsport enthusiast from Maitland, Florida; during his tenure the exterior and interior were refinished in red over black leather.
- 1974 →Private saleWalter Medlinpartial documentation
Kept the car in warehouse storage for approximately 49 years; the vehicle sustained damage during Hurricane Charley in August 2004.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCarl de Bickeropartial documentation
Well-regarded Ferrari collector residing in Illinois at the time; owned the car at some point during the 1960s.
Competition
- 1956-10-011956 Paris SalonDisplayed on manufacturer's stand
The car was exhibited alongside a 250 GT Berlinetta and the Superfast concept car on Ferrari's official stand; documented by a period photograph.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1956BodyworkPinin Farina
Pinin Farina completed the coachwork on the bare chassis, finished in Blu Artico paint with a Naturale vaumol leather interior.
Build details confirmed by marque researcher Marcel Massini.
- 2004Repair
The car sustained damage caused by Hurricane Charley while in warehouse storage; extent of damage not fully detailed but described as significant.
Car was not repaired after the storm damage and remained in its compromised state through subsequent storage.
- —Bodywork
Exterior repainted and interior retrimmed in a rosso over black leather colour scheme, departing from the original Blu Artico specification.
Work carried out prior to Pete Sherman's ownership, which ended in 1974; exact date unknown.
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