Ferrari 212 Inter
| Ferrari 212 Inter | |
|---|---|
 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupé | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
| Also called | Ferrari 212 Europa |
| Production | 1951–1952 79 produced |
| Designer | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.6 L (2562.51 cc) Colombo V12 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm (102 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) (coupé) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ferrari 195 Inter |
| Successor | Ferrari 250 Europa |
- See also the 212 Export sports racer
The Ferrari 212 Inter replaced Ferrari's successful 166 and 195 Inter grand tourers in 1951. Unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show that year, the 212 was an evolution of the 166 — a sports car for the road that could also win international races. In 1951, two 212 Inters, both Vignale coupés, driven by Taruffi/Chinetti and Ascari/Villoresi, scored 1–2 victory at Carrera Panamericana in Mexico.[2]
The chassis was similar to the 125 with a suspension featuring double wishbones in front and live axle in back. Coachbuilders included Carrozzeria Touring, Ghia, Ghia-Aigle, Vignale, Stabilimenti Farina, and now Pinin Farina. The latter was an important move for the company, as Farina was already well-known and adding his styling skills would be a tremendous boost for Maranello. However, Pinin Farina was as prideful as Enzo Ferrari, and neither would go to the other to request business up to this point. A mutual meeting halfway between Maranello and Turin was the negotiated solution.[3] The first Ferrari to be bodied by Pinin Farina was a 212 Inter Cabriolet, chassis no. 0177E.
The Inter's 2,600 mm (102.4 in) wheelbase was 4" longer than the 2,500 mm (98.4 in) Export's. The cars shared a larger, bored-out (68 mm) 2.6 L (2563 cc/156 in³) version of Ferrari's Colombo V12 engine. Output was 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) for the single Weber 36DCF carburetor Inter, 165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) for the triple Weber Export. Improved cylinder heads raised power 5 PS (4 kW) in 1952.
The British magazine Autocar got hold of what they described as the first production model Ferrari 212 in 1950, which outperformed any car that they had previously tested.[4] It recorded a top speed of over 116 mph (187 km/h) and acceleration times of 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) of 10.5 seconds[4] and 100 mph (161 km/h) in 22.5 seconds; the magazine however noted they had limited the engine to 6,500 rpm out of respect for the newness and low mileage of the car they were using, which suggested that even better performance would be available from a fully "run in" model. The test appears also to have been the Autocar team's first encounter with a five speed gear box.[4]
Body styles
[edit]The 212 Inter was produced in a number of different body styles depending on the coachbuilder. This includes[5]:
- Vignale - 37 produced of all variants
- Vignale Berlinetta - 5 produced
- Vignale Cabriolet - 5 produced
- Vignale Coupé - 26 produced
- Vignale Spyder - 1 produced
- Pinin Farina - 17 produced of all variants
- Pinin Farina Cabriolet - 2
- Pinin Farina Coupé - 15
- Ghia - 15 produced of all variants
- Ghia Cabriolet - 1 produced
- Ghia Coupé - 10 produced
- Ghia Coupé 2+2 - 4 produced
- Touring - 6 produced of all variants
- Touring Barchetta - 1 produced
- Touring Berlinetta - 5 produced
- Ghia-Aigle Coupé - 2 produced
- Stabilimenti Farina Berlinetta - 1 produced
- Abbott Cabriolet - 1 produced
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212/225 Inter
[edit]A single 212 Inter, chassis no. 0223EU,[7] was fitted with the available 225 S or 2.7 L Colombo V12 engine, combined with a long wheelbase Europa type chassis, creating a unique model that would be properly referred to as a 225 Inter or 225 Europa. This 1952 one-off model was given a Giovanni Michelotti-penned coupé body built by Vignale.[8]
Another 212 Inter, chassis number 0253EU,[9] also received the 2.7 liter three-carburetor V12, and was bodied as the last Barchetta by Carrozzeria Touring in their Superleggera construction method. It was acquired by Ford Motor Company for Henry Ford II for study in the research leading to the development of Ford's competitor to the Corvette, the Thunderbird. The car is currently in the collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, CA.[10]
1952 Ferrari 212/225 Touring Barchetta
Chassis numbers
[edit]| Number | Coachbuilder | Style | Note | Paint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0107ES | Stabilimenti Farina | Berlinetta | Red[11] | |
| 0111ES | Vignale | Coupé | First Ferrari bought by race driver Luigi Piotti[12] | Red/White two-tone |
| 0125EL | Vignale | Berlinetta (later rebodied to cabriolet) | Silver | |
| 0131E | Vignale | Coupé | Red | |
| 0135E | Vignale | Coupé | Sold in 2024 for an undisclosed amount[13] | Red/Black two-tone |
| 0137EL | Ghia-Aigle | Coupé | Black | |
| 0139E (switched numbers with 0269EU) | Vignale | Coupé | Traded in to Ferrari by Prince Bernhard for another 212 Inter which then had the chassis number switched with the new car to avoid paying import taxes.[14] | Black |
| 0141ET | Touring | Berlinetta | Red | |
| 0143E | Touring | Berlinetta | Blue | |
| 0145E | Ghia | Coupé | Alloy body. Sold in 2022 for $1,215,000.[15] | Azzurro (Silver Blue) |
| 0147E | Vignale | Coupé (later rebodied to California Spyder)[16] | ||
| 0149E | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0153EL | Ghia | Coupé 2+2 | ||
| 0155EL | Ghia | Coupé | Silver | |
| 0157EL | Vignale | Coupé | Black | |
| 0159E | Vignale | Cabriolet | Sold in 2022 for an undisclosed amount[17] | Rosso Bordeaux (Wine red) |
| 0161EL | Vignale | Coupé | Finished second after 0171EL in the 1951 Carrera Panamericana.[18] | Blue/Silver two-tone livery |
| 0163EL | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0165EL | Abbott | Cabriolet (later rebodied as Touring Barchetta) | Red | |
| 0167EL | Touring | Berlinetta | Red | |
| 0169EL | Ghia | Coupé | Red | |
| 0171EL | Vignale | Coupé | Won the 1951 Carrera Panamericana. Disappeared after.[18] | |
| 0173E | Vignale | Cabriolet | ||
| 0175E | Vignale | Coupé | Black/Green two-tone | |
| 0177E | Pinin Farina | Cabriolet | ||
| 0179EL | Vignale | Berlinetta | ||
| 0185EL | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0187EL | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0189EL | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0191EL (switched numbers with 0233EU) | Ghia | Cabriolet | Blue[19] | |
| 0193EL | Ghia | Coupé | Blue/Grey two-tone | |
| 0195EL | Ghia-Aigle | Coupé | ||
| 0197EL | Vignale | Coupé | Sold in 2009 for $804,500.[20] | Pale Yellow/Black two-tone |
| 0199EL | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0201EL | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0203EL | Vignale | Berlinetta | ||
| 0205EL | Ghia | Coupé (later rebodied as 340 America) | Dark Blue | |
| 0207EL | Vignale | Cabriolet | Red | |
| 0211EL | Vignale | Berlinetta | Blue/Grey two-tone | |
| 0213EL | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0215EL | Touring | Berlinetta | ||
| 0217EL | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0219EL | Vignale | Coupé | White/Grey two-tone | |
| 0221EL | Vignale | Coupé | White/Grey two-tone | |
| 0223EU | Vignale | Coupé | One off 212/225 model. | Red/Silver two-tone |
| 0225EL | Ghia | Coupé | ||
| 0227EL | Vignale | Cabriolet | ||
| 0229EL | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Dark Blue/White two-tone | |
| 0233EU (switched numbers with 0191EL) | Ghia | Coupé | Previously owned by Juan Perón, numbers switched with an already existing body to avoid import taxes. Sold in 2018 for $1,187,500.[21] | Yellow/Black two-tone |
| 0235EU | Pinin Farina | Cabriolet | Silver Blue | |
| 0237EU | Vignale | Coupé | Red | |
| 0239EU (switched numbers with 0352MM) | Vignale | Coupé | Damaged in a crash. Switched chassis numbers with a Ferrari 250 MM to avoid paying import tax and import permits to Mexico. | |
| 0241EU | Touring | Berlinetta | ||
| 0243EU | Vignale | Berlinetta | ||
| 0245EL | Pinin Farina | Coupé | ||
| 0247EL | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Disassembled for parts. | |
| 0249EL | Pinin Farina | Coupé (later rebodied as 250 MM) | ||
| 0251EU | Vignale | Coupé (later rebodied as Touring Barchetta) | ||
| 0253EU | Touring | Barchetta | Black | |
| 0255EU | Vignale | Cabriolet | Black | |
| 0257EU | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0259EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé (later rebodied as Touring Barchetta) | Red | |
| 0261EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | ||
| 0263EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Silver Blue/Dark Blue two-tone[22] | |
| 0265EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Black/White two-tone | |
| 0267EU | Vignale | Coupé | Black/Green two-tone | |
| 0269EU (switched numbers with 0139E, and then again with 0387GT) | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Switched numbers with another 212 to avoid paying import taxes. Later traded in for a 250 Europa GT where it again switched chassis numbers (from 0139E to 0387GT) to avoid paying taxes. | Black |
| 0271EU | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0273EU | Vignale | Spyder | ||
| 0275EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Red | |
| 0277EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Silver Blue | |
| 0279EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | Pale Blue | |
| 0281EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | ||
| 0283EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé | ||
| 0285EU | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0287EU | Vignale | Coupé | ||
| 0289EU | Vignale | Coupé | Red[23] | |
| 0291EU | Pinin Farina | Coupé |
References
[edit]
- ↑ "Registro Internazionale Touring Superleggera". Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Carrera Panamericana 1951 Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ↑ Enzo Ferrari and “Pinin” Farina: The birth of the myth. Archived 2009-08-17 at the Wayback Machine
- 1 2 3 "Ferrari 212 Two-Seater (road test)". Autocar. Autocar Road test compendium 1950. 1950.
- 1 2 "212 Inter - Register". www.barchetta.cc. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe "Bumblebee"". bonhams.com. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ↑ "225 Europa Vignale Coupe 0223EU". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 225 Inter". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ↑ "212 Europa Barchetta Touring s/n 0253EU". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ↑ "Ferrari 212/225 Inter Touring Barchetta". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ↑ "1950 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Farina Chassis 0107ES". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ Tyer, Ben (2023-03-13). "VIN: the Luigi Piotti / Ken Wharton Ferrari 750 Monza chassis 0514M". Supercar Nostalgia. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale | Monterey 2024". RM Sotheby's. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1953 Ferrari 212 - INTER PININ FARINA COUPE". www.classicdriver.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "Bonhams Cars : 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Alloy Coupe Coachwork by Ghia Chassis no. 0145 E Engine no. 0145 E". cars.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 212 Speciale #0147 E - Ferraris online". Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "Bonhams Cars : 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet Chassis no. 0159E Engine no. 0159E Coachwork by Vignale". cars.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- 1 2 "1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale Chassis 0161 EL". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet by Ghia Chassis 0233 EL". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe Chassis 0197 EL, engine 0197EL". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Ghia | Arizona 2018". RM Sotheby's. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Coupe by Pinin Farina | Monterey 2016". RM Sotheby's. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale | The Monterey Auction 2026". RM Sotheby's. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
Bibliography
[edit]- Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84425-581-8.