Performance Review: Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 410 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1959. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT.This particular Ferrari 410 has a 4963cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 410 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 410's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 410 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 4963cc 24V V12 engine produces 394 bhp (293 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 340 lb-ft (460.9 Nm) @ 4700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (317 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 410 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (291.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 410.

The Ferrari 410 has a Power to weight ratio of 266.2 bhp per ton and 229.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 410 competing with the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (291.1 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 S AMG (290.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 410 generating around 229.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 BMW 3 Series M3 F80 (254.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Bentley Continental GT Speed (254.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 410 and the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 410 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.7 secs @ 107.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (12.64 secs), the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (12.65 secs), and the 2016 Audi A3 S3 Sportback 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (12.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 has a maximum speed of 163mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 410 equals the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 then how about the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 (174 mph), or the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 (174 mph).

Related Links:

1959 410 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison