1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe

The Ferrari 212 Series was produced between 1951 and 1953 and was powered by the Colombo V-12 power-plant. The cars were immediately successful in competition, with victories in both the Tour of Sicily and the Coppa Inter Europa. Perhaps the most important victory for the car was a win at the 1951 Carrera Panamericana with Luigi Chinetti and Piero Taruffi at the helm. They were followed by Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi giving Ferrari an impressive one-two finish.

The road going versions of the 212 were known as the Inters and were given odd number serial numbers. Even-number chassis were applied to competition cars, in keeping with common Ferrari practice. In total, there were eighty open and closed 212 Inters constructed, making it the most prolific model to house the original Colombo-designed V-12 engine. Since the 212s were given individually custom-bodies by various coachbuilders, each example is unique with detail differences from car-to-car.

This 212 Inter is chassis number 0267 EU and wears coachwork by Vignale. It was exhibited new at the 1953 Turin Motor Show, held in Parco Valentino. It was given air intakes below the headlamps and subtle fins on the rear wings.

The first owner of the car was Jean-Louis Lafourcade of Bayonne in Southwest France, who took possession of the car in 1953. It was given registration 343 AP 64 and later re-registered as 8686 CC 59 in 1953.

In 1959, the car was exported to England and sold to a Mr. Simmons. Simmons retained the car until 1969 when it was purchased by Peter H. Gibson at Lenk Farm, Inkberrow, Worcestershire. In 1972, it was sold to David Shute, who lived in Kingston St. Mary. In 1974, Mr. Shute had the car repainted red and the bumpers removed. In 1976, he consigned the car to the Christie's sale held in Geneva with the motor show.

In December of 1977, the car was purchased by its current owner, Larry Nicklin. Mr. Nicklin was a founding member of the Ferrari Club of America. In 1979, the car was repainted in its original black with a green top color scheme.

This Vignale-bodied 212 Inter is powered by a 2462cc SOHC V-12 engine fitted with three Weber 32mm DCF carburetors. The 150 horsepower produced by the engine is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. At all four-corners, there are hydraulic drum brakes.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island sale presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $375,000 - $550,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $660,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011