The Ferrari 375 Plus was Ferrari's most formidable factory sports-racing weapon in 1954, built around a 5.0-litre (4954cc) Lampredi V12 producing approximately 344 bhp and clothed in a Pinin Farina barchetta body. At Le Mans that June, Scuderia Ferrari ran multiple examples, making this 1:18 scale model a direct artefact from one of the most significant factory efforts in Ferrari's early endurance racing history.
The 375 Plus: Ferrari's 5.0-Litre V12 Sports-Racer
Ferrari developed the 375 Plus specifically for the 1954 season, drawing the engine directly from the Lampredi Formula 1 unit. Approximately five chassis were built for both works and customer campaigns. The car's tubular ladder-frame chassis used de Dion rear suspension, and the Pinin Farina open barchetta coachwork gave it a silhouette that remains one of the most recognisable of the early 1950s. The combination of displacement, pedigree and rarity makes every surviving 375 Plus a museum-grade subject.
Race No. 5 at Le Mans, 24–25 June 1954
The 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours is remembered as the race Ferrari dominated outright. The No. 4 works entry of José Froilán González and Maurice Trintignant took the overall victory, cementing the 375 Plus as the outright Le Mans winner for that year. Racing alongside in the No. 5 car were Louis Rosier — a veteran French campaigner with long experience at the Circuit de la Sarthe — and Robert Manzon, a Grand Prix driver who had raced for Gordini and Ferrari in Formula 1. Their pairing brought together two of France's most prominent racing names under the Scuderia Ferrari umbrella in full Rosso Corsa livery, and the No. 5 car finished 3rd overall.
The KK Scale 1:18 Die-Cast Model
KK Scale is a European brand with a catalogue focused on classic racing and road car subjects in 1:18 die-cast metal. Unlike resin-only manufacturers, KK Scale's die-cast construction offers a solidity and tactile quality well suited to open-cockpit, open-wheel subjects like the 375 Plus barchetta. The model replicates the No. 5 race livery: Scuderia Ferrari Rosso Corsa finish, correct race number, and the exposed mechanical character of the Pinin Farina body. For collectors who favour durable display pieces over fragile resin replicas, this is a notable entry point into 1950s Ferrari sports-racing history at this scale.
In the Display Cabinet
The No. 5 Rosier/Manzon car pairs naturally with any representation of the winning No. 4 González/Trintignant Ferrari 375 Plus, allowing a direct visual reference to the full 1954 Le Mans Scuderia Ferrari effort. More broadly, it fits a collection built around 1950s endurance racing, Lampredi-era Ferrari history, or the parallel careers of French Grand Prix drivers in sports-car racing. Robert Manzon's relative scarcity as a collectable subject — given his primary identity as an F1 driver — also makes this a crossover piece for Formula 1 collections focused on the early 1950s grid.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ferrari 375 Plus?
The Ferrari 375 Plus was a factory sports-racing car built for the 1954 season, powered by a 5.0-litre (4954cc) Lampredi V12 of approximately 344 bhp. Ferrari produced around five examples, bodied by Pinin Farina in an open barchetta form.
What happened to the No. 5 car at Le Mans 1954?
The No. 5 Ferrari 375 Plus, driven by Louis Rosier and Robert Manzon, finished 3rd overall at the 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours. The sister No. 4 entry of González and Trintignant won the race outright.
Who were Louis Rosier and Robert Manzon?
Louis Rosier was an experienced French racer who competed at Le Mans on numerous occasions. Robert Manzon was a French Grand Prix driver who raced in Formula 1 for Gordini and Ferrari during the early 1950s.
What material is the KK Scale model made from?
The KK Scale Ferrari 375 Plus is produced in die-cast metal, not resin, making it a robust choice for display at the 1:18 scale.
