After winning the Auto Sport World Championships in 1953, Enzo Ferrari decided to build a small series of spiders that would spearhead the Scuderia’s latest assault on the World title. These cars were to be known as the 375 PLUS for which Aurelio Lampredi developed a truly powerful V12 engine of nearly five litres while Pinin Farina took care of the coachwork. The results lived up to all expectations and the car also triumphed at Agadir, Silverstone and Le Mans. However, its most significant victory of all was Umberto Maglioli’s at the Carrera Panamericana.
The 375 Plus were factory team cars and were not raced by private entrants before the mid-season of 1954, the chassis was the same as the 375 MM, but the engine was using the crankshaft from the 375 GP car increasing the stroke to 74,5mm and the displacement to 4954,34cc. The compression was raised to 9:21 and the carburetors were changed to 3 46 DCF3 twin choke Webers. The horsepower gain was so small 344 @ 6500 rpm (340 @ 7000 rpm), but the mid-range power and the flexibility were greatly improved.
Technical Specifications
Engine
- Type…………………………..front, longitudinal 60° V12
- Bore/stroke…………………84 x 74.5 mm
- Unitary displacement…..412.86 cc
- Total displacement……..4954.34 cc
- Compression ratio……….9.2 : 1
- Maximum power………..243 kW (330 hp) at 6000 rpm
- Power per litre……………67 hp/l
- Maximum torque………..
- Valve actuation…………..single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
- Fuel feed……………………three Weber 46 DCF/3 carburettors
- Ignition……………………..single spark plug per cylinder, two magnetos
- Lubrication………………..dry sump
- Clutch……………………….multi-plate
Chassis
- Frame………………………..tubular steel
- Front suspension………..independent, unequal-length wishbones, transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
- Rear suspension…………de Dion, twin radius arms, transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers
- Brakes……………………….drums
- Transmission…………….5-speed + reverse
- Steering…………………….worm and sector
- Fuel tank……………………capacity 190 litres
- Front tyres…………………6.00 x 16
- Rear tyres………………….7.00 x 16
Bodywork
- Type…………………………two-seater spider
- Length……………………….-
- Width…………………………-
- Height………………………..-
- Wheelbase………………….2600 mm
- Front track…………………1325 mm
- Rear track………………….1284 mm
- Weight………………………1030 kg (dry)
Performance
- Top speed…………………..280 km/h
Production
Production Totals………….8 cars and 1 engine
- 0384AM – According to Ferrari documentation, was rebuild 1954 sept 2 and sold to Kimberly. view history
- 0386AM –
- 0392AM – GOLDSMITH
- 0394AM – Engine only
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- According to the factory, body was never build, only an engine that was sold to Tony Vandervell (Team owner) and Peter Whitehead (Driver).
0384AM took identify of 0394AM while owned by Jacques Swaters.
- According to the factory, body was never build, only an engine that was sold to Tony Vandervell (Team owner) and Peter Whitehead (Driver).
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- 0396AM – EDGAR
- 0398TF – VALIENTE
- 0400AM – DESTROYED BY THE FACTORY.
- 0478AM –
- 0488AM – built for King Leopold of Belgium
The race was won by Umberto Maglioli in an Erwin Goldschmidt-entered Ferrari 375 Plus. He finished the race in 17 hours, 40 minutes, and 26 seconds, averaging 173.69 kilometres per hour (107.93 mph).
