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Ferrari 340 Mexico: four cars for the Carrera Panamericana
Ferrari 340 Mexico — a special race car built in 1952 for the Carrera Panamericana races in Mexico. Only four examples were made; here we detail their history and technology.
340 Mexico in brief
Ferrari 340 Mexico — a sports race car built to compete in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana races. The '340' in the name refers to the engine displacement in cubic centimetres, while 'Mexico' refers to the country where the event was held.
This is one of the rare Ferraris built for a very specific purpose and in very limited numbers.
History and development
In total, just four cars were produced in 1952: three 'Vignale' berlinettas and one 'Vignale' spyder. All were designed by Giovanni Michelotti.
All four cars competed in the races, but only one finished. Initially, they all belonged to Luigi Chinetti. Two of the berlinettas were later sold to American Allen Guiberson, while the third continued racing with Chinetti in the Mille Miglia, 12 Hours of Reims, and 12 Hours of Pescara.
Technology and achievements
The engine is a 4.1-litre 'Lampredi' V12, producing around 280hp at 6,600rpm. Top speed reached approximately 280km/h, with a wheelbase of 2,600mm.
The car became a crucial link between earlier long-distance Ferrari models and the 340 MM and 375 MM: it was from this car that the 340 MM with a shorter wheelbase evolved.
Where to see it and can you buy one?
There are 340 Mexico cars in private collections, with some taking part in prestigious concours and shows, such as Pebble Beach or Rétromobile.
They rarely come up for sale and are usually sold through private auctions or deals.
Versions and Evolution
All cars featured the Vignale body.
Berlineta
1952Closed body version (three made).
- 4.1-litre V12
- Vignale berlinetta body
- Design by Giovanni Michelotti
Spyderis
1952Open body (one made).
- One example
- 4.1-litre V12
- Vignale body
340 Mexico and related Ferraris
| Ferrari 340 Mexico | Ferrari 340 MM | Ferrari 375 MM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1953–1955 |
| Engine | 4.1-litre V12 | 4.1-litre V12 | 4.5-litre V12 |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,500 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Produced | 4 | 10 | 26 |
The 340 Mexico is the earliest and rarest of the trio, with its engine lineage continuing through the 340 MM and 375 MM.
Pros
- Extremely rare — only 4 cars produced
- Lampredi 4.1-litre V12 engine
- Giovanni Michelotti design
- Closely tied to the history of the Carrera Panamericana
Cons
- Almost impossible to get your hands on
- Built for long-distance racing
- Very limited publicly available information about specific cars
Frequently asked questions
How many Ferrari 340 Mexico were produced?
Just 4 examples from 1952: three coupés and one spyder.
Why is it called the „Mexico“?
Because it was created to compete in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico.
Did all the cars finish the race?
No. All four were registered, but only one completed the race.
Updated 2026-10-21 · Trim levels and equipment vary by market and model year — check the equipment of the specific car. · Translated automatically
