Introduced in October 1953, the 375 America continued the Ferrari tradition of placing the “America” moniker on the company’s most exclusive, largedisplacement road cars.

The replacement for the limited-production 342 America, the new grand touring Ferrari boasted a massive V-12 fitted to the longest chassis the company had built up to that time. Known internally by the designation tipo 104, the 375 America’s engine was a classic Lampredi-type unit based on the engines used in Ferrari’s Grand Prix and sports racing cars. Displacing 4.5 liters and breathing through a trio of Weber 40 mm carburetors, this magnificent engine delivered 300 bhp at 6,300 rpm. No other production car in the world offered as much power as the 375 America, and with a claimed top speed of 155 mph, its performance was simply in a league of its own.

Like the earlier 342 and 340 America models, the 375 America was designed to appeal to a discerning clientele and built in extremely limited numbers. In fact, only 12 of these extraordinary automobiles were ever built, including two examples converted from their original three-liter 250 Europa specification.

Most were clothed by Pinin Farina, with the four remaining chassis entrusted to Vignale. The handsome styling showcased in Pinin Farina’s series of coupes was instrumental in defining the traditional “Ferrari look,” with its imposing eggcrate grille, elegant proportions, and restrained-yet-sporting lines. Interiors were luxuriously appointed, with comfortable accommodations for two occupants, and ample luggage space for long-distance touring.

Like their predecessors, these expensive, custom-bodied GTs were sold new to Ferrari’s most important clients. Original owners included Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli, European industrialists Fred Lip and Giorgio Fasso, as well as American sportsmen including Tony Parravano, John Shakespeare, and Robert Wilke.

The 375 America presented here, chassis 0293 AL, is particularly noteworthy as it is the first of the series built and the very car that Ferrari used to debut the model at the prestigious Salon de l’Automobile in Paris.

The history of 0293 AL can be traced back to mid-1953, when Ferrari shipped its chassis to Pinin Farina in Torino. Assigned production no. 12530, Pinin Farina records confirm that the 375 America was originally finished in Azzurro, a pale blue, with a Grigio (Gray) roof, and natural Connolly leather upholstery— a tasteful color scheme perfectly suited to its understated design. Completed by Ferrari toward the end of August 1953, 0293 AL is the only Pinin Farina-bodied 375 America that features this car’s distinctive front-end treatment, distinguished by a wide chrome band surrounding the grille opening.

Soon after its completion, 0293 AL was shipped to France, where it was exhibited at the Grand Palais, together with a Vignale-bodied 250 Europa, chassis 0295 EU. Photographs of the 375 America on display in Paris have been featured in several important books, including Ferrari by Mailander and Ferrari au Salon de Paris.

Following its show duties, 0293 AL returned to the Ferrari factory and prepared for delivery to its first owner, Howard Brighton Keck of Los Angeles.

Born in September 1913, Howard Keck was the second child of William M. Keck, the founder of the Superior Oil Company of California. By the end of the 1930s, Howard Keck’s firm had become the largest independent oil producer in the US, constructed the world’s first offshore oil platform, and almost single-handedly controlled the extensive oil reserves of Venezuela.

Thanks to his extraordinary means, Howard Keck began indulging in his passions at a young age. He lived in a fantastic mansion in the exclusive Bel Air enclave and became a successful owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, with his horses winning both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup.

Mr. Keck was also an avid automobile enthusiast, whose Offenhauser-powered Kurtis Kraft Roadsters won the Indianapolis 500 in 1953 and 1954. In fact, it was at the 1952 Indianapolis 500 that Mr. Keck first became acquainted with the Ferrari marque, having purchased and entered one of the four 375 F1s that had been sent over to contest that year’s race. His younger sister, Willametta, also became a Ferrari customer, purchasing a yellow 375 MM Pinin Farina Spider for her personal use in 1954.

Like many American Ferrari owners, Mr. Keck enjoyed his new 375 America for just a few years before replacing it with the latest model. Not long after disbanding his racing team in 1955, Mr. Keck placed 0293 AL in long-term static storage, together with his 375 Indianapolis, which was also painted light blue with a chrome band surrounding its grille opening.

The 375 America then sat on Keck’s property, unused and showing less than 10,000 km, until early 1987, when it was prepared for sale. That February, it was advertised in The New York Times and described as being “in storage for 30 years.”

That May, Mr. Keck sold 0293 AL to Thomas W. Barrett III, of Scottsdale, Arizona, founder of the Barrett-Jackson auction company. Mr. Barrett repainted the 375 America in traditional Italian Racing Red and sold it to Hans Thulin of Sweden, who was then assembling an expansive Ferrari collection.

In May 1992, the low-mileage 375 America was sold at Brooks’ Monte Carlo auction to a Spanish collector. It remained in the Barcelona area until 2008, when it was acquired by the current owner, a gentleman who has owned, restored, and driven some of the finest Italian sports cars.

After acquiring 0293 AL, the consignor exhibited the still largely original, unrestored Ferrari at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, where it was awarded the prestigious FIVA Award in 2009. From there, the 375 America was entrusted to noted Ferrari specialist Bob Smith of Gainesville, Texas, for a rejuvenative, ground-up restoration addressing all cosmetic and mechanical elements. This process included returning the Ferrari to its elegant, factory-delivered color scheme, using sections of original paint discovered during the disassembly process to ensure an exact match.

Since this high-quality restoration was completed in 2011, 0293 AL has earned some of the most meaningful awards on the concours circuit, including a Second in Class at Pebble Beach, the Ferrari Award at Amelia Island, and Best in Class at the Uniques Concours in Florence. Beyond these impressive honors, the 375 America has taken part in the exclusive Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima Run and received a Platinum Award, the Gerald Roush Memorial Cup, and the 375 Cup at the Cavallino Classic.

In 2012, the 375 America was featured on the cover of Cavallino magazine, and its authentic character has been recognized with a FIVA Identity Card and Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming that 0293 AL retains its original chassis, coachwork, and engine. Furthermore, its outstanding presentation is supported by an accompanying Marcel Massini report, and restoration photo album.

As the first of its kind, with a Paris show car pedigree and Keck family provenance, 0293 AL is a 375 America unlike any other. Its sheer physical presence, captivating details, and extraordinary performance are qualities not properly served by words alone.