From its introduction at the 1956 Paris Auto Show, the 410 Superamerica became the star of Ferrari’s glamorous portfolio. The big twin-ignition 4,963 cc V-12 engine gave the 410SA 340 horsepower, enough to propel the Pininfarina-bodied coupe to 170 mph.
In 1958 Jackie Cooper bought the 410 SA from its original American owner, William Doheny of Los Angeles, stepfather of professional racing driver Chris Cord. A participant in the infamous Tourismo Vistadores high-speed dashes across the Nevada desert’s “reasonable and proper” highways, Cooper’s Superamerica is now, appropriately, part of the Nevada-based Robert M. Lee Trust collection.
“The Superamerica was the first Ferrari that looked to America for styling elements,” said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “From our perspective in the 21st Century, the 410 SA seems to mark that moment when Enzo Ferrari realized that there was more to the automobile business than building racing cars.”
The 19th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is on this weekend. For more information, please visit https://www.ameliaconcours.org/