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1952 Ferrari 225 Sport news, pictures, and information
 |  | View more photos Spyder Coachwork: Vignale Chassis Num: 0160ED Engine Num: 0160ED |
It was auctioned at the 2006 Christies auction held in Monterey California at the Jet Center. It was expected to fetch between $1200000-$1500000. At the conclusion of the sale chassis number 0160ED with matching engine number had found a new owner for $1280000.
This vehicle was created on January 10th, 1952 with a Tipo 340 Tubosocca chassis rear axle. It had a massive forty-gallon fuel tank and a newly introduced limited slip design with a 4.66:1 final drive. In a time-span that lasted lest than a month, the Factory had finished the chassis. The engine was later assembled by Leopardi and Storchi under the watchful eye of Franchini. Beltrami assembled the Tipo 212 Export gearbox.
By March 2nd, Vignale had completed the body. On March 9th the true potential of the vehicle was experienced by the factory test driver as the vehicle was taken to its limits on a road test. After the performance it was entered by the factory in the XII Tour of Sicily, driven by Piero Taruffi along with co-driver Mario Vandelli. It was given the number 443 which it continues to wear in modern time. The vehicle was the fastest in the field but a blown head gasket resulted in a DNF.
It was sold to Count Bruno Sterzi of Milan who raced the vehicle in the XIV Aosta-Gran San Bernardo Hillclimb. At the Gran Premio di Bari it was given the number 78. It was sold at the close of 1952 to Mrs. Piano of Buenos Aires who quickly sold it to Roberto Bonomi. It was repainted in a light blue color and entered in the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires. With Bonomi at the wheel, the vehicle captured an impressive first place finish. This began many podium finishes for Bonomi in the 225 Sport. In 1953 it finished 3rd overall at Premio Verano at Mar del Plata. A fourth placed finished was scored at the Grand Prix Governardor Carlos Evans at Mendoza at the hands of Adolfo Schwelm Cruz.
In 1954 the color was changed back to red. It was entered in the Mil Kilometros driven this time by Alcaro Piano, Miguel Schroder and Carlos Alcorta finishing 18th. Its history from this point until 1971 is unknown. It was sold to Lucio M. Bollaert of Buenos Aires where it was given a blue paint job. In 1982 Australian Kerry Manolas became the next owner. The vehicle underwent a complete restoration and it regained its red paint color.
It was shown at the 1984 Ferrari Concours in Carmel and then the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Anthony Wang of New York became the next owner who owned the vehicle until 1989. Len Immke of Columbus, Ohio became the next owner. In 1995 it was traded to Chris Cox of North Carolina who had it shown at the Cavallino Classic.
From there, the car continued to trade hands. Under the ownership of John Sullivan of Palm Beach, Florida, the car was treated to a restoration by Motion Products of Neenah, Wisconsin. It was given its burgundy color with tan interior and the original Scuderia Ferrari number of 443. At the 1997 Cavallino Classic it was awarded the Judges Cup. It was purchased in 2001 by Michael Yedor of Bel Air, CA who later sold it to its next owner. Its next adventure was at the 2006 Christies Auction where its long history continued with the addition of a new owner.
Its beauty is undeniable and its legacy is profound. The $1,280,000 was an excellent price for this early Ferrari. It is the most complete, correct and original 225 Sport Spyder Ferrari in existence.
| | View more photos Coupe Coachwork: Vignale Chassis Num: 0168ED |
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 hte 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 po0int 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.
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