Building on the success of the 340 America and its Mille Miglia victory, the 375 MM was released in 1953 as Ferrari's most potent model. These large displacement race cars were built to contest the World Sportscar Championship and competed with the best that Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Cunningham and Jaguar had to offer. Most of the cars were built by Ferrari as racing Spyders, but seven racing Berlinettas and five special-bodied road examples were also made.
By 1953, Ferrari's large V12 by Aurelio Lampredi had already won at the top level of motor sport. Some of their first F1 victories were powered by it until 1953 when the F2 regulations were adopted. However, Ferrari was able to continue with the engine in road racing cars, beginning with the 340 America and later resumed with the successful 375MM.
At first, Ferrari fitted a detuned version of their competition-spec 375 F1 engine in the 340 America chassis to make a hybrid 340/375MM. In 1954 this engine was modified for customer use with a slightly shorter stroke. Called the Tipo 108, these displaced 4522cc and were slightly more responsive for twistier events such as the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia. All the factory coupes used the F1 Tipo 102-spec engine.
The 375 was named after a victory at the 1953 Mille Miglia when Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara piloted their Vignale Spyder to overall victory. At the time, it was Ferrari's fifth win in a row at the event which was the most prestigious Italian road race.
LeMans in 1953 was disappointing for Ferrari, who brought three hybrid 340/375MMs and a sole 4.5 liter car. All four cars were let down by their inferior brakes and trumped by the Jaguar C-Type's discs. Despite their best efforts, the Ferraris retired trying to keep pace with Jaguar.
In total, around 26 375MMs were made, most being bodied by Pinin Farina into either coupes or spyders, but a few Vignale spyders were made. Five of these were special road-going examples which were prepared for Ferraris most respected clientele, some being rebodied after the 375's competition career was over.
The 375MM series was later replaced by the 375 Plus, which featured a larger engine that was good enough for Ferrari's much needed win at Le Mans.