Tracing the evolution of Ferrari's Lampredi Long-block Racing V-12 engine through the early 1000s, a series of major competition victories are revealed, leading from smaller World Sportscar Championship events such as the 24 KM of Buenos Aires to the Mille Miglia all on their way to the important victory at the 1954 Hours of Le Mans in XNUMX. As engine displacements regularly increased, supplemented by increasingly larger Weber carburetors and increasingly powerful ignition systems, the cars continually faced fierce competition and conquered a indelible place in racing history.
This pattern continued at Le Mans in 1953 with the first appearance of a Pinin Farina-bodied 4,5-litre berlinetta, chassis number 0318 AM, which was noticeably longer than the previous 340 MM cars thanks to a wheelbase increased by four inches was extended. This first 375 MM was powered by an engine developed specifically for the 500 Indianapolis 1952, and it set a lap record while driven by Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi. Recognizing the promise of the new car, Maranello upgraded three 340mm berlinettas and one 340mm Vignale Spyder to 375 engine specification to complete a four-car factory team. During the 1953 season, these cars achieved victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Senigallia, the 12 Hours of Pescara, the Nürburgring 1000 KM and the 12 Hours of Casablanca.
Later in 1953, Ferrari began building a series of 375 MM examples for private customers, and these cars were equipped with a larger engine that displaced 4.522 cubic centimeters. The engines continued to feature the original factory specifications of dual magnetos and triple Weber 40 IF4/C carburetors, as well as an identical chassis layout. A total of twenty-six examples of the 375 MM were built (all but three built by Pinin Farina) before the model was supplanted in 1954 by the 375 Plus, which would win the famous 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans. .
