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Topic starter
31/03/2023 9:30 am
That's what the French called this Ferrari 375 Plus when it hit the tracks. In 1953, Ferrari had a winner with his 375 MM (Mille Miglia) but knew for the following year, he was facing more powerful entries from Mercedes, Lancia and Maserati. Using the 375 as a starting point, Aurelio Lampredi built a new 4.9 liter V12 that pushed 350 hp that gave it a top speed of 174 mph. The aluminum body was fabricated by Pininfarina and Vignale and was fitted with a huge 47.6 gallon gas tank. An all new rear suspension was made with a new de Dion rear axle. Only five of these cars were ever built making them more rare than the 250GTO. The car's first race in Moracco was a winner and after a few DNFs with parts failing, it won again at Silverstone. For the 1954 Le Mans, Jaguar surprised the competition with factory fresh 3.9 liter D Types. Although the Ferrari smoked the expected competition, it ran neck and neck with the Jaguar resulting in a win but with the closest finish since 1933. That was the last factory team race for this car, but one was entered in the Mexican 5 Day Carrera Panamera handily beating rival Porsche by 2 hours. Second place went to a Ferrari 375MM.
This BBR model replicates the #4 Le Mans winner.
For all that power, performance and technology, GM's take-away was the 1955 Chevy grill!
31/03/2023 10:15 am
Oh, those wheels, coil wrapped wires and that silky-smooth finish are fantastico! But that unique & intricate yet complex front suspension blows me away! I've always known that the '55 Chevy's grill was Ferrari inspired but never knew just which Ferrari.....until now, thanks.
Rich Sufficool reacted
31/03/2023 10:25 am
Beautiful model. I don't remember BBR doing very many full opening models (this & the La Ferrari come to mind). Seems like they should do more, as the level of detail rivals CMC.
31/03/2023 10:31 am
Another great post Rich. Despite my being a strong Jaguar fan, I really like this Ferrari and consider Le Mans that year one of the more interesting races, a close one too. I’ve owned a couple of 1955 Chevrolets but never realized the grill similarity to the 375 Plus. Thanks for this.
Rich Sufficool and John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
31/03/2023 12:47 pm
@david-green Supposedly, that Ferrari grill was the inspiration for the '55 Chevy. It was such a departure from the chromed monstrosities of the other cars in GM's line up.
Christopher Moroni and David Green reacted
31/03/2023 4:35 pm
I'm not generally a collector of models before 1960 or after 1980 but there are always exceptions to be made - This Ferrari is one of them
Rich Sufficool reacted
31/03/2023 7:54 pm
@franklemire - On the BBR Ferrari 375, why are the roundel numbers different colors on each side?
John Kuvakas reacted
01/04/2023 7:38 am
@marty-johnson On my model of a car that raced in the Panamericana in 1954 they are all the same. I have no idea why they are different on Rich's car. I'm not really much of a student of the cars and races of this era
Marty Johnson and John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
01/04/2023 12:41 pm
@franklemire I love your Panamericana "1-2-3". I have it in 1/43 but would love to trade up.
John Kuvakas reacted