Ferrari 250 MM Spider Vignale — chassis 0348MM

The Ferrari 250 MM Spider Vignale 0348MM, designed by Giovanni Michelotti, is one of the most significant and iconic cars in Ferrari’s history. This car, built in 1953, was part of the Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia series, which was inspired by the success of the 250 Sport driven by Giovanni Bracco and Alfonso Rolfo, who won the 1952 Mille Miglia. The 250 MM represented Ferrari’s commitment to blending performance with elegance, embodying a period of transition in Ferrari’s racing and road car development. The 250 MM was powered by a three-liter V-12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo, a notable shift from Ferrari’s experimentation with Lampredi engines during this era. The 0348MM, specifically, was a right-hand-drive model, finished in a striking red exterior with a tan interior. It was equipped with small air intakes between the windshields, a distinctive feature that set it apart from other models. The car’s early history is closely tied to notable figures in the automotive world. It was originally owned by Alfred Momo, a significant Ferrari distributor in the USA, based in Woodside, New York. Momo, who also served as a technician for Briggs Cunningham, played an important role in American motorsport. In 1953, the car was sold to Bill Lloyd of Greens Farms, Connecticut. By 1954, the Ferrari was actively participating in competitive racing events across the United States. In January 1954, the car raced in the Florida National Sports Car Races at MacDill Air Force Base, where it secured a 2nd overall and 1st in its class, driven by Phil Walters. It went on to achieve additional successes throughout 1954, including a 1st place in its class at the President’s Cup at Andrews Air Force Base and numerous other podium finishes at events like the Chicago Cup and Cornhusker Cup. The car became well-known for its consistency and competitive spirit, racing in various categories like BM, CM, and DM. During 1954, the car also suffered a setback when it was involved in an accident during an SCCA National event in Savannah, Georgia, but it was quickly repaired and continued to race successfully in the following years. By 1955, the Ferrari 250 MM had passed through several owners, including Rich Lyeth, and participated in numerous prestigious events, including the International Sports Car GP at Watkins Glen, where it finished 4th overall and 3rd in its class. The car remained active in racing during the mid-1950s, under the ownership of Chuck and Audrey Saffell, who took part in several SCCA events, hillclimbs, and regional races. Audrey, in particular, made a name for herself in the SCCA Powder Puff Derby, winning several first-place finishes. The Saffells also achieved success at races like the Gainesville and Courtland regional events in 1956 and 1957. By the late 1950s, the 0348MM had changed hands again and was owned by Herbert Swan of Cleveland, Ohio. Swan took the car to compete in the USAC International Formula Libre GP at Watkins Glen but had to retire due to engine issues. The car went through a series of owners in the 1960s and 1970s, including Ken Harper, John Delamater, and Ken Hutchison, before being sold to William (Bill) Jacobs Jr. in 1985. Under Jacobs’ ownership, the car was fully restored by Wayne Obry’s Motion Picture in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1985. The restoration work involved removing the headrest and the small air intake between the windshields, bringing the car back to its original specification. Jacobs continued to show the Ferrari at high-profile events, including the Mille Miglia in 1987, where it was driven by both Jacobs and Hutchison. It also participated in the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Concours during the late 1980s. Throughout the 1990s, the Ferrari 250 MM Spider continued to change ownership, passing through the hands of various collectors, including Gerald J. Bowes Sr. and Mark Smith. In 1995, it was acquired by David Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California, who used the car in events like the Colorado Grand, the Cavallino Classic, and the Rodeo Drive Concours. Sydorick’s ownership saw the car’s continued participation in prestigious events. In 2003, the 0348MM was sold to Victor R. Muller of Zeewolde, the Netherlands. Muller drove the car in the Mille Miglia in 2004, and the Ferrari was displayed at the Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach auction, where it failed to meet its high bid but eventually sold for $1.65 million. In the years following, the car was actively used in events such as the Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge, driven by Manny del Arroz, who became a key figure in its history during the 2000s. In 2019, the 0348MM was auctioned at Gooding Scottsdale, where it fetched an impressive $5,395,000, signaling its growing value as a collector’s item. The car was then sold to Andreas Pohl and participated in the Mille Miglia in 2020 and 2022, continuing its legacy in historic racing.