• The fifth of only 17 examples of the 400 Superamerica SWB Coupé Aerodinamico produced
• Famous “prototype” featured on the cover of Car and Driver in April 1963
• Certified by Ferrari Classiche in March 2011; retains its matching-numbers body, chassis, differential, engine, and gearbox according to factory records
• Over $230,000 of restoration work completed between 2014 and 2018
• Documented by marque historian Marcel Massini, and copies of its original build record

Ferrari’s 400 Superamerica SWB Coupé Aerodinamico is widely considered one of Pininfarina’s greatest designs—an artful expression of Ferrari performance with stylistic elegance. These cars represented the pinnacle of Ferrari production, with forward-thinking styling, extremely limited production, and world-class performance. Unlike the earlier 410 Superamerica, the 400 was powered by a 4.0-litre V-12 producing 340 horsepower. With an original retail price just shy of the original cost outlay for Ferrari’s legendary and competition-focused 250 GTO, the 400 SWB was almost twice as rare, with only 17 examples produced.

Chassis 2631 SA, offered here, is the fifth 400 Superamerica SWB Coupé Aerodinamico produced. Its factory build record notes that it was originally finished in Blu Lancia over light blue leather and purchased new by Emanuele Rivetti in November 1961. By late 1962, chassis 2631 SA had been routed through Ferrari’s American dealer network (via Luigi Chinetti and Bob Grossman) to oil magnate John Mecom, Jr of Houston, Texas.

However, not before Grossman enjoyed it for several months, even going so far as to lend it to Car and Driver magazine for three days of testing. A thorough review of the Supermamerica Aerodinamico “short wheelbase prototype” (as labeled by Grossman) was subsequently published as the cover story in its April 1963 issue, by which time chassis 2631 SA was already in Mecom’s garage. Four years following his eponymous racing team’s outright victory at the 1966 Indianapolis 500, Mecom sold this exceptional Ferrari to Paul Schreiber of Palos Park, Illinois. At an unknown point after 1978, the car then entered the collection of Tom Mittler from South Bend, Indiana.

Tasteful improvements upon this Superamerica’s formidable factory specification have been limited to a Kevlar clutch lining, a set of triple Weber 40 DCZ/6 carburetors, and Koni shock absorbers in place of the original Miletto units. Since 2014, chassis 2631 SA has been lavished with over $230,000-worth of restoration work by marque specialists; invoices on file show a comprehensive range of cosmetic and mechanical improvements, including the fitment of a new Connolly leather interior, and full overhaul of its matching-numbers V-12 engine and Laycock de Normanville overdrive module. In March 2011, the car was certified by Ferrari Classiche; its Red Book accompanies the car. The factory records confirm that the 400 SWB retains its matching-numbers body, chassis, differential, engine, and gearbox.

The 400 Superamerica Coupé is an exceptional car in every way; it remains one of the most significant and celebrated Ferraris ever built, and this beautifully restored, Classiche-certified example would stand proud in even the most significant of Ferrari collections,

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ve23.