1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe (Vignale)
- Engine
- 4.5L V12 Lampredi-derived, ~296 bhp, paired with four-speed gearbox
- Colour
- Burgundy over silver grey
Chassis 0327 AL is one of twelve Ferrari 375 Americas built, each clothed in bespoke coachwork. This example was bodied by Alfredo Vignale in a torpedo-flanked design with distinctive nacelle-mounted headlamps and a two-tone finish, and was publicly displayed at major motor shows in New York and Geneva early in 1954 before delivery to Robert C. Wilke, a prominent figure in American motorsport. The car passed through several notable hands over subsequent decades and retains its original Lampredi V-12, confirmed by Ferrari Classiche.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$3,500,000 – US$5,000,000
- —Auction saleSold US$2,557,000
- 1954 → 1970Factory deliveryRobert C. Wilkepartial documentation
Founder of Leader Card Company in Milwaukee; personally traveled to Modena to collect the car. Had it repainted multiple times and used it as a daily driver at high speeds.
- 1970 → 1970InheritanceRalph Wilkepartial documentation
Son of Robert Wilke; sold the car following his father's death.
- 1970 →Private saleDr. Robert E. Steinerpartial documentation
Milwaukee resident who, together with his wife, kept the car for roughly ten years before selling it on.
- → 1986Private saleDavid L. Coffinpartial documentation
New Hampshire resident; the car was featured and photographed in Cavallino issue 28 during his ownership. Sold it at an Arizona sale in 1986.
- 1986 →AuctionBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired shortly after the Arizona sale; the car had been repainted red by this point.
- → 2009Private saleFritz Kroymanspartial documentation
Official Ferrari importer for the Netherlands; the car was part of his large private collection for roughly two decades and was featured in Cavallino issue 78 during this period.
- 2009 →Private saleTom Pricepartial documentation
Prominent American collector who repatriated the car to the US, had it freshened, and exhibited it at the 2011 Cavallino Classic before selling it on.
- 2011 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Had the car refurbished with a new burgundy and silver-grey finish and correct taillights; maintained it in a private collection since acquisition.
- Date unknownPrivate saleEd Jurist / Vintage Car Storepartial documentation
Well-known dealer based in Nyack, New York; held the car briefly before passing it to the next owner.
- Date unknownPrivate saleSander van der Veldenpartial documentation
Belgian collector; the car was transported to the Netherlands during or following his ownership.
Competition
- 19541954 New York World Motor Sports ShowExhibited
Static display at Madison Square Garden before the car was delivered to its first owner.
- 1954-03-011954 Geneva Motor ShowExhibited
Shown at the Plainpalais venue in Geneva as part of the car's pre-delivery European exhibition tour.
- 2011Cavallino ClassicXX Cavallino ClassicExhibited
Car was displayed in Palm Beach following its return to the United States under Tom Price's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1954Bodywork
Second repaint during Wilke's tenure, changing the finish to all-over metallic blue.
- 1954Bodywork
Original two-tone Amaranto and metallic grey paintwork replaced first with a red and black roof combination.
Carried out during Robert Wilke's ownership; a second repaint to all-over metallic blue followed.
- 1986Bodywork
Car repainted red following its sale at auction in Arizona.
Described as consistent with prevailing fashion of the period.
- 2011Service
Car freshened in preparation for display at the Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach.
Carried out under Tom Price's ownership after repatriation to the United States.
- 2011Restoration
Refurbishment including a new finish in burgundy and silver grey, and installation of correct-specification tail lamps.
Completed shortly after the Cavallino Classic appearance, prior to sale to the current owner.
- 2018InspectionFerrari Classiche
Ferrari Classiche application submitted confirming the original engine remains in the car.
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