Once described in a magazine as the world's most beautiful Ferrari, the 212 was somewhat unfairly known in my neck of the woods as the world's ugliest
Whatever the chosen medium, artists' earliest works are always among their most desired and sought after. Artist-in-metal Enzo Ferrari is a case in point, all the more so because his first cars were bespoke, and differences between race winners and those built for road use were often minimal.
Introduced in 1951, the 212 Inter was directly descended from the very first Ferrari of just four years previous. For this, the final model of Ferrari's first series, Gioacchino Colombo's versatile V12 was enlarged to 2,562 cc, with a commensurate increase in maximum power to 150 hp in road trim. With a top speed of 120 mph, and race-bred handling, the tipo 212 was among the quickest road cars of its day.
Customers chose their own coachbuilder, many favoring the top Italian studio Touring of Milan, whose advanced Superleggera method of body construction combined lightness and strength in equal measure. The coachwork of chassis number 0215EL is clearly inspired by that of the Touring-bodied Le Mans cars of the period.
One of only 80 Ferrari 212 Inters made, the car on offer here was ordered new with a three-carburetor engine. It was sold by Jacques Swaters' Garage Francorchamps to Belgian André Meert, who raced the car regularly, achieving a third place finish in the 1953 Coupe de Spa. Meert is known to have purchased a Ferrari 250 GT cabriolet in 1957, so it seems likely that he sold 0215EL at that time.
In 1968, the 212 Inter Berlinetta was sold to Dutch collector Paul F. Schouwenburg, who replaced the engine block following frost damage. By the early 1970s the car came to be owned by another well-known collector, Italian Adolfo Celli. By the end of the decade it passed into the hands of Angelo Gatti, and then to collector Guido Ferrari in Reggio Emilia. Throughout the 1980s the car made regular appearances in the Mille Miglia retrospective, the last being in 1989.
Finished in Rosso Corsa with unrestored black leather interior, 0215EL is presented in good cosmetic shape and excellent mechanical condition. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a most stylish, coachbuilt early Ferrari with competition history that is eligible for a wide range of prestigious historic motor sport events.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter |
| Years Produced: | 1951-1952 |
| Number Produced: | 84 |
| Original List Price: | approx. $9,500 for U.S. delivery; $4,800 in Europe |
| SCM Valuation: | $225,000-$300,000 |
| Tune Up Cost: | $3,000 |
| Distributor Caps: | $175 (reproduction) |
| Chassis Number Location: | side frame rail towards the front of the engine |
| Engine Number Location: | right side of engine near the rear |
| Club Info: | Ferrari Club of America, P.O. Box 720597, Atlanta, GA 30358 |
| Website: | http://www.ferrariclubofamerica.org |
| Alternatives: | 1951-1954 Jaguar XK120 coupe, 1947-1953 Maserati A6GCS, 1950-1952 Ferrari 195 Inter |
| Investment Grade: | B |
This 1952 212 Inter Berlinetta sold for $353,335 at Bonhams’ Monaco auction, held on March 15, 2004.
Those last words of the auction catalog description are the real key here, as this car’s biggest virtue is not what it is, but where it will get you.
The growing popularity of vintage rallying and historic racing has changed the market for early Ferraris. Once unloved, even the most pedestrian model will get you into most of the prestigious events today. And if the car is historically important, extremely attractive, or has a competition history, it won’t just secure your entry, it will get you invited. The car pictured here is one of those that can open the right doors.
A study of early Ferraris is more a study of individual cars than model types. In the first six years of Ferrari production there were about 200 cars built and almost every one of them was unique in some way. Cars manufactured specifically for competition were normally assigned even serial numbers, while the cars built for touring duty were assigned odd ones. There were two substantially different engine types: the more common Colombo and the big Lampredi. Those were built in several different displacements and were available in various states of tune. There was also an incredible selection of coachwork produced by a handful of small artisan coachbuilders, making for a dizzying array of cars that takes a serial number scorecard and a true marque expert to keep straight.
The 212 probably isn’t the first model most enthusiasts think of when dreaming of desirable Ferraris; in fact, it probably doesn’t even make most people’s top five. Many enthusiasts have never seen one in person and others may have seen one without realizing what they were looking at. Positioned at the end of a series that includes the 166s and 195s, but before the famous 250s, the 212s are overshadowed by the earlier cars’ historical importance to the marque, and the later model’s amazing accomplishments.
My first experience with a 212 was a Vignale-bodied coupe from Florida. It had double bumpers, way too much chrome and was downright gaudy. Once described in a magazine as the world’s most beautiful Ferrari, it was somewhat unfairly known in my neck of the woods as the world’s ugliest. For years I thought this car was what all 212s looked like and had little desire to see another.
But a few years ago I was at the Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach, FL, when Jeff Fisher debuted his freshly restored 212 Vignale Spyder, S/N 0090E. Its silhouette resembled the gorgeous 166 barchetta but featured a tasteful amount of Vignale gingerbread. The car was downright breathtaking and opened my mind to how wonderful a 212 could be. The car went on to win a number of awards, including Most Elegant Sports Car at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Our subject 212 sits a lot closer to the middle of these two extremes. Even though it carries an odd (i.e., street car) serial number, the Inter Berlinetta was used in competition and managed a show position in a race with an impressive sounding name. This result assures entry to most historic events, but this single notable finish is far from an impressive competition provenance. The car does have a well-documented history, but unfortunately this includes replacing the original block, which is not good. And though this Touring-bodied 212 Inter has attractive lines, it’s not a particularly memorable design.
We saw this Berlinetta sell previously at the Brooks Monaco sale in 1999 for $225,039. That purchaser spruced it up some, updated the mechanicals, and got it featured in an Italian magazine before consigning it in Monaco. He should be pleased, as the $350,000 paid there is top dollar for a 212 that doesn’t have “barchetta” in its name. Even so, we understand that the Italian collector who bought 0215EL lives close to most of the big European driving events, where this car will be more than welcome. That he bid 50 percent more than the car sold for just a few years earlier can simply be considered a supplementary entry fee.
(Historical and descriptive information courtesy of the auction company.)-Steve Ahlgrim