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The Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet designed by Carrozzeria Vignale.
The Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet Vignale designed by Michelotti was built with an extended 2,650-mm wheelbase to accommodate the enlarged 200-hp Lampredi V-12. The chassis saw a total production run of only six examples, for such clients as King Leopold of Belgium (chassis 0234AL) and Enzo Ferrari himself. It is unusual among road-going Ferraris in that each car was delivered with an even chassis number, carrying the suffix “AL” for “America Lungo,” and all had left-hand drive. Records indicate that 0232 AL was the very first 342 America built, and the first of three completed with cabriolet coachwork, in this case by Vignale, with the unique feature of slotted taillights recessed into the fenders. The Ferrari 342 America Cabriolet was test-driven by the factory on 27 October 1952, and delivered to its first owner on 14 January 1953. Odofranco “Otto” Wild of Muri, Switzerland, was an early good customer of Ferrari, as well as an avid purchaser of other unusual coachbuilt European cars in this period. It is interesting to note that the car’s radiator bears a tag from a Zurich supplier, indicating that it may have been installed during this original ownership.
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