1952 Ferrari 225 Sport Coupe

This Ferrari 225S was built with a Vignale Coupe body over a Tuboscocca (tubular shell) chassis. With its 2.7-liter Colombo V12 engine, this Ferrari was born for the track - its most significant result in an extensive and celebrated race career being the 1953 12 Hours of Sebring, in which it came in 8th overall, driven by Robert and Peter Yung and wearing the number 45. That same year, it competed in the Cuban Grand Prix, where it took the chequered flag, placing first overall. Under its current ownership, this largely unrestored Ferrari 225S has participated in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix three times, run in several Mille Miglia events, and competed at the Le Mans Classic and Goodwood.

The small-displacement Ferrari V12 engine, engineered by Gioachino Colombo, was used to power the 125S. The unit displaced 1,500cc and produced a considerable amount of power for its day and size. An increase in size resulted with the 166MM and later the 212 Export. In 1952, a larger and more powerful version of the 212 Export competition model results in the 225 'Sport' (225S).

The Ferrari 225S had 12 cylinders and displaced 2.7 liters. During this early era, all Ferraris' were coach-built by various Italian design houses (carrozzeria). Six examples of the 225S were given berlinetta bodies by Alfredo Vignale. Among the individual designers working at Vignale was the stylist Giovanni Michelotti, who would enjoy a brilliant career and is regarded as the father of the trademark ovoid 'egg crate'-type Ferrari grille.

Chassis number 0168ED was one of the six competition berlinettas built and fitted with the ovid egg crate grille, and the triple oval, chrome-ringed 'portholes' on the front fenders.

The car had a short, yet impressive competition history. Its history is fully documented, including its most recent keeper, who has owned the car for nearly 38 years.

After a brief ownership by a Roman owner from July 25, 1952, it was re-attained by thee factory in November of that year and quickly sold to Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York. Chinetti sold the car to brothers Peter S. and Robert Yung of New York. While in their care, the car was raced at the second annual 12 Hours of Sebring in March 1953, remarkably finishing in 8th position overall, taking a 2nd in their class. In May of that year, the car placed 4th overall at Bridgehampton.

The next owner was Santiago Gonzales of Cuba, who also raced the car. It placed First in the Cuban Grand Prix Sport, held in Havana in October of 1955.

The car was sold to American Robert Andinolf of Los Angeles in 1957. Jerry Curion purchased the car in the 1960s and then acquired by Donald R. Wasserman in 1971.

By this point in history, 0168ED had been fitted with a Corvette V8 and was in need of a comprehensive restoration. In 1974, Wasserman embarked on a full restoration, which took five years to complete. During this process, an early Ferrari 250GT engine was acquired. The Ferrari gearbox and differential are original type and specification. The original 0168ED engine is installed in a 166MM Spider Scaglietti.

When the restoration work was complete, the 225S achieved a First in Class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1979. It was later campaigned in vintage racing events on several occasions in the 1980s, including the Monterey Historics in 1980 and 1984, and the Mexican road race 'La Carrera Classic' (ensenada - San Felipe) in 1986.

The car is titled as a 1953 model.

In 2009, after the cars long term owner had passed away, this very rare car was offered for sale by RM Auctions at their Sports & Classics of Monterey sale in Monterey, California. The car was estimated to sell for $600,000-$800,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $781,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010