Savoy Automobile Museum, Cartersville (Georgia), USA
Until March 29, 2026
The exhibition “Ferrari in America” at the Savoy Automobile Museum (Georgia, USA) explores Ferrari’s early days in the United States when Luigi Chinetti was the exclusive importer of the Prancing Horse brand for the United States. Of Italian origin, Luigi Chinetti raced mainly in endurance events in the 1930s with Alfa Romeo, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice in 1932 and 1934. He moved to the United States before World War II and reconnected with his friend Enzo Ferrari after the end of hostilities. He also resumed his racing career, winning the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first edition after the war and Ferrari’s first victory in this legendary race.
Luigi Chinetti offered to become Ferrari’s official importer in the United States and founded Luigi Chinetti Motors in 1953. He went on to win the major post-war endurance races in a Ferrari. After retiring from racing, he created the famous North American Racing Team (NART) in 1958. NART won the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, in a Ferrari of course. Luigi Chinetti played a major role in the development of Ferrari in the United States, turning it into an important market, as evidenced by the names of many models: America, Superamerica, California…
With around ten cars, the Savoy Automobile Museum has brought together some Italian gems from the 1950s to the 1970s. The oldest car on display is a 1952 Ferrari 342 America, the first Ferrari model to receive this name. Its 4.1L “Lampredi” V12 engine is adapted for road use, and the version on display is the only convertible with bodywork by Vignale. The 212 Inter from the same year is equipped with a 2.6L “Colombo” V12 engine and is presented in a coupe version designed by Ghia.
The 250 GT is undoubtedly the Ferrari model that has seen the most variations and versions, whether in racing form, with the 250 GTO at the top of the range, or in “touring” form. The 250 took its name from the unit displacement of its 3-liter V12 engine (250 cm3 per cylinder). The exhibition features several of these 250 GTs, in short wheelbase (SWB) “Berlinetta” Competition versions or long wheelbase (LWB) versions, including a “Berlinetta Tour de France” version, developed to homologate the 250 GT in the “Sport” category. This 250 GT won the Tour de France Auto, a highly prestigious race in the category at the time, in 1957, 1958, and 1959, hence its name in tribute to this performance.
The 400 Superamerica has a 4-liter V12 engine (which gives it its name) and is displayed in its coupe version with the short wheelbase of the first generation. The last Ferrari Superamerica is the 500, which will ultimately be called Superfast, with a V12 engine increased to 5 liters and developing nearly 400 horsepower.
The Ferrari 275 GTB, which replaced the 250 with a slightly larger V12 (3.3 liters, or 275 cm3 per cylinder), was designed by Pininfarina, inspired by the 250 GTO. The bodies built by Scaglietti made extensive use of aluminum to reduce the weight of the car. The Ferrari 365, launched in 1966, replaced the 275 and 330. Like the 250, the 365 had many variants, but the most iconic is undoubtedly the 365 GTB/4 “Daytona,” named after Ferrari’s triple victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. The 365 GTB/4 is Ferrari’s response to the Lamborghini Miura, but in keeping with Enzo Ferrari’s design philosophy, it is rear-wheel drive with a front-mounted engine. The Daytona also enjoyed numerous successes in competition, in rallies such as the Tour de France and in the GT category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Dino 246 GT, named in memory of Enzo Ferrari’s deceased son, is powered by a 2.4-liter V6 engine in a mid-engine position. Although the 246 is not “officially” a Ferrari, it is the origin of the Ferrari range of mid-engine 2-seater coupes. The GTS on display is a spyder with a removable roof, in the spirit of the Porsche 911 Targa. With the 512 BB, Ferrari converted to mid-engine layout for its most powerful models, in this case a 5-liter flat-12. The version on display is a 1979 Koenig Special, which passed through the hands of the German tuner with a very muscular body. This exhibition is a great tribute to Luigi Chinetti who played a key role in developing Ferrari’s presence in the United States, which became a major market for the Italian brand.
Automobile-Museums archive photos, no reproduction rights without express permission