1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet

The 212 Inter was built as Ferrari was just beginning to move into production cars, and it carried a wide variety of body styles from several different coachbuilders. Two Cabriolets were constructed by Ghia, one of which, this car's sister, made its debut at the 1952 Geneva Motor Show. The Ferrari 212 was the final evolution of the original Tipo 166 model and served as a replacement for the 195 S. In comparison to its predecessors, the 212 shared many of the same chassis and suspension features. Power was from a 2.6-liter variant of the Ferrari V12. Near the end of production, the 212 Inter received a new 'EU' suffix. These late-production 212 Europas were given several factory updates, including three Weber 36 DCF5 carburetors.

The list of coachbuilders who provided bodies for the Ferrari 212 include Pinin Farina, Vignale, Ghia, and Touring. Coachbuilders Vignale and Pinin Farina produced bodies for both road and racing Ferraris, whereas Carrozzeria Ghia of Torino focused on the road-going models. Their high-quality, refined, upscale designs and coachwork were accompanied by luxurious interior appointments.

This Ghia bodied example is one of two similar cabriolet bodies built for the Ferrari 212 chassis. Each cabriolet body was unique and finished in its own color scheme. Both cars had the same compact proportions, skirted rear fenders, elaborate grille, decorative chrome flashes on the tail, and disappearing soft top.

This Cabriolet was sold to Editoriale Domus, a publishing company in Milan founded by Sig. Gianni Mazzocchi. By 1953, it had been bought back by Ferrari and sold to a new owner named Paul Arnold of Le Cannet, France. Later that year, it was sent to the United States, where much of its early history in America is not fully known. By the close of the 1960s, it had made its way to the Detroit area, where its engine was removed and a Corvette V8 unit installed. In 1972, it was purchased at a swap meet for about $600. The individual who purchased the car, parked it in his garage in Grand Blac, Michigan.

The car was rediscovered in 2011, almost completely intact but without its engine. Amazingly, the engine was found soon after and a restoration was begun. The Cabriolet, with reunited chassis and engine, made its first public appearance in over 50 years at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.