This article includes description of particular components which will have pictures to the right.

This 340MM project started off with the body that was on the car that won the Mille Miglia in 1999. The project was born with the idea of hanging a vintage Ferrari body from the ceiling as a chandelier for the new American owner building a large living room in his new house. It evolved to building the entire car with a correct Italian-made chassis when we learned the body was made by Franco Ferrari when, as a young craftsman, he made this exact body when an employee of Fantuzzi. Franco is still building chassis and bodies in his own shop in Modena, Italy and would be the one to build the chassis. His son Daniele, our partner in the project, is the manager of the shop.

The car was built in the early 50’s, raced and then crashed during one race. It was in storage from the 50’s until about 1969 when the car was purchased and assigned to Fantuzzi to restore. In the early 70’s as a finished 340MM Touring Barchetta it was campaigned in rallys and different events around Italy. For more than 30 years. Its most newsworthy outing was winning the Mille Miglia in 1999. The Touring Barchetta body was removed in the mid 2000’s when Ferrari Classiche Certification was requested by the then owner. It was learned the car was born with a Vignale Barchetta body so the present Touring Barchetta body on the project car came off, was mounted on a roll-around tube frame and a new Vignale body was made for the car. The newly bodied Vignale Barchetta became Classiche Certified. It is on display in Italy as of 2022.

We contacted the Ferrari machine shop in Italy directly as Matteo is friends with the owners. He asked them to make a proper, exact Lampredi motor for this soon to be “work of art”. The shop had all the original Ferrari casting dies and bucks and cast the new pieces.

During the engine-building process some modifications were made to make the vintage design more reliable. The original motor had “clothespin” style valve springs which in the past had proved unreliable. The modification was made to the heads to incorporate standard coil springs for the valves. When the new magnetos were cast, the design was modified to incorporate digital components so once set, the timing would not change which would enhance the reliability and drivability.

Finished engine and dynoed April 2022. The finished engine was then welcomed at the official Ferrari dyno shop in Modena called Sauros’. As of April 2022, the engine was run-in and dynoed. We were fortunate to find an original set of the rare carburetors and had them rebuilt. The correct design 5 speed was built and finished 2021 by the Ferrari machine shop. Proposal for the original style brakes and hubs. The engineering drawings and the capability of the Ferrari machine shop are already organized to make the full set of front and rear brakes, complete. The differential is quite unique for Ferrari in this model. The Sauro shop in Italy had a bare differential casing in for a rebuild when I visited in 2019. They suggested I have them do the engineering drawings and scan the casing to help make a future production easier. We authorized that work as well as the same needed for the brakes which are also unique for these models. The engineering drawings and capability of the Ferrari machine shop have already been organized to make the complete front suspension.

The original enthusiastic collector, a Signor Filippo who started this project to fulfill a vision of a world class chandelier in his new home has been wonderful to work with during the build. His collection has evolved to include only Classiche Certified car and has encouraged us to find a new home for the 340MM project with his blessings. Our goal is to return his investment, and then enjoy the process of finishing the build in Italy at our shop in Modena, with the help of the Ferrari machine shop, GILCO to do the chassis.

The new steering wheel was made in Italy by the craftsman who makes these for Ferrari.

All the above are on board to begin the needed processes as of July 2022. They are all quite enthusiastic as they have been helping get us to this point.

What is included in the car project.

The Fantuzzi-made body that was on 340MM 0284AM, built in 1969-72 during the cars restoration.

A new 340MM Lampredi motor built by a Ferrari machine shop and dynoed by Ferrari’s dyno shop (Sauros)

A new, correct 5 speed gearbox correct for the car, built by a Ferrari machine shop.

The original body includes the original seats, original door panels and original dashboard already re-upholstered. The original gauges are present. The original grille, Marchal headlight assemblies, engine compartment inner panels, twin folding windscreens are also included.

A roll of the same leather used to upholster the interior pieces

A roll of 100% Italian wool carpet selected to match the interior leather color which is 3218.

A set of 4 original, NOS Borrani wire wheels, RW 2841 that were purchased when the car was going to be a chandelier. Not original for a 340MM, they are a sellable item to help defray the cost of the proper wheels. The proper wheels should cost $12,400 for a set of 5. These are destined to be made with heavier stainless steel spokes and a stainless center, eliminating the possiblity of future rust. Borrani hubs and knockoffs (spinners) are included with the car already

Cost to finish from October 2022

The crew in Italy that would see to the remainder of the build on the 340MM sent me their ideas on the cost to do what is necessary to get the car finished, “key in hand”.

Their estimate is between 300,000 euros and 350,000 euros. They are calculating the work needed adding more than they think things will cost in this estimate.

1.The chassis is going to be made by GILCO who made the original chassis. GILCO has already approved the build. The original car was chassis number 0284AM. They said, if approved, their idea of putting the number 0284AM/2 on the chassis, they could do that. That would give the chassis an identity and at the same time show it as not the original. The original 0284AM car is for sale at 8,000,000 euros as of Dec. 2021. It is in a collection in Italy.

The basic chassis costs only 55,000 euros. Mounting of the body to the chassis is as complex as making the body in the first place.

It includes making a firewall and foot boxes, double wall like the original. The firewall is not present with the other engine compartment panels we already have. Daniele has figured on the high side at 60,000 euros. One consideration will be whether you would like the car to be RHD or LHD. Not price wise though merely where you’d like the steering to be.

2.Daniele calculated 150,000 euros to make and install the complete, quite special differential, all the correct brakes and all the front suspension including making the steering box. I calculate 60,000 euros for the differential, 35,000 euros for the brakes and 50,000 for the front suspension. We are both in the same ball-park I think.

3.New Borranis I have made by hand in Europe though not at Borrani. The manufacturer typically uses thicker stainless steel spokes instead of regular chromed steel and stamped stainless steel polished centers. It is not original for sure though because they are stronger than the original Borranis, they are easily accepted on FIA approved cars. Many cars that run Goodwood and other venues in Europe use these same wheels. They also cost a lot less than the Borrani. About $1000 less each. Figure about only $2700 each. When done for us, they have the correct Borrani RW numbers and are indistinguishable from the Borrani except for the stainless spokes and stainless center.

4. Pirelli Cinturato tires 16”. FIA might allow non original tires. We have to ask. The original Pirelli Cinturato are currently priced at $369.00 or a little less each, here in the states. (depends on size selected) Let’s calculate $2000 for these purchased in the USA. That is sometimes wise as our prices are less expensive here than in Italy even. We could ship them with the body eventually. England might be less expensive also. There is the Brexit tax to consider for export eventually to find the best solution.

1.For a correct aluminum gas tank, figure 15,000 euros on the high side.

2.Assembly of the car, disassembly of the car after tested so it can be painted, and then re-assembly after paint is 60,000 euros, again on the high side.

3.Radiator as original, 6000 euros

4.Muffler system as original 6500 euros

5.Paint, both inside and out including the chassis is 35,000 euros.

10.Rebuilding of the instruments and bench testing 1,000 to 3000 euros. The project already includes the (2) large original instruments.

11.Correct taillights 1000 to 1500 euros/pair. The Marchal headlights and buckets we already have.

12.Correct wiring harness 5,000 to 6,600 euros. The wiring harness by itself is 4000 euros as part of this estimate. The vintage relays, dash switches and knobs and other electrical components make up the rest and exact prices are unknown until we find or make them.

13. We already have the new steering wheel with proper horn button.  

As in the other projects they have done for me in the past, they are nice enough to calculate the time it needs to do each component and give me a payment schedule, usually so much per month. Some months it is less than other months. It works really well knowing what will be needed to keep the project moving steadily ahead.