1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet

The V12 engine used in the 212 was bored out to 68mm and achieved a 2562cc displacement. Only one Weber carburetor was used but was good enough to produce about 130 horsepower and a top speed of 120 mph. The Export version received three Weber carburetors and produced about 150 hp and saw a top speed of about 140 mph. In 1952 modified cylinder heads were incorporated which produced another 5 hp. A little over 12 Export versions were produced while production numbers for the Inter (road) version was around 80.

Ferrari 212 Inter with chassis number 0255EU is a right-hand drive vehicle, bodied by Vignale in Cabriolet configuration. It is referred to as a 212 Europa. The car has spent most of its life in the United States, mostly in California. In most of its life it was finished in red with a black top. Only in recent years has it been given a black exterior, but still retains the red interior with blue carpet.

It was shown in 1984 at the International Ferrar Concours. It participated in the Tour de France Auto in 1997. It was sold to its present owner sometime during the late 1990s and early 2000's. Since that time it has participated in the Tour Auto in 2003 and 2005. It was a participate in the Mille Miglia in 2005 and shown at the Cavallino Classic in 2007.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010

Mistaken identity is rarely a problem for any Ferrari with the classic black prancing horse emblazoned against a yellow background. However, not all examples to leave the factory in Maranello have left without a aura of mystery surrounding them.

Such mystery would surround chassis 0255 EU. While carrying the 0255 EU chassis number it also has 0227 EL stamped on the chassis. The reason for this was something of a mystery that would take years to solve.

One aspect that would be easily recognizable would be the fact 0255 EU would be one of just four cabriolet models built by Vignale for the 212 Europa chassis. The 212 Europa would be rare in its own right since the company was making plans to introduce the 250 GT. Therefore, 0255 EU certainly belongs in rarified air within Ferrari lore.

Chassis 0255 EU would be completed and delivered brand new in May of 1953. Its first owner would be Umberto Nuvoli of Rome. Before it would leave to be delivered to its owner 0255 EU would be photographed. The photograph would be taken on the 1st of June in 1953 and would later appear in Jonathan Thompson's book Ferrari Cabriolets & Spyders.

One year later, the 212 Europa would be at Renato Nocentini's Garage La Rotunda near Florence. It would then be sold and shipped to the United States where it would become the property of William Anthony, who lived in Los Angeles. The Europa Cabriolet wouldn't stay with Anthony, or any other owner, for very long. Then, in May of 1968, the car would be purchased by Dean and Joy Macari of Pleasanton, California.

With the Macari's, 0255 EU would find a stable ownership remaining with the family for a quarter of a century. During this period the car would be presented at a few events. The most famous of these would end up being the Ferrari Owner's Club Concours in Carmel Valley in 1984. It would be here that the car would be photographed and become a part of Marcel Massini's book Ferrari by Vignale.

In 1992, 0255 EU would be sold again. This time the owner would be Peter Hosmer who lived in New Hampshire. After a few years with Hosmer the car would leave the country as it would be purchased by Diego Ribadeneira. Ribadeneira lived in Ecuador but would end up driving the car in the 1997 Historic Tour Auto held in France. Later sold in 2000, the car would return to the United States as the property of San Diego resident John R. Queen.

Coming into Queen's possession, 0255 EU was intended for restoration. Suddenly, the mystery of the double stampings would present itself and a challenge awaited. The search for the answer was on, and this was no easy quest given the somewhat loose documentation known by Italian automotive firms of the period.

Experts Gerald Roush, Keith Bluemel and Antoine Prunet would all be consulted in the case, right along with the Ferrari factory itself. Roush had in his possession important build sheets that indicated changes. Then Prunet would suggest something that would end up making all the difference.

Chassis 0255 EU would actually be completed after chassis 0227 EL. Chassis 0255 EU would be initially for John McFadden. McFadden was English. It made sense then to make a car with right-hand drive. However, the Englishman resided in Paris and planned on driving the car throughout the European mainland.

McFadden would note the problem to the factory, but to change the car in the midst of production would have been costly, both in time and money. The solution then was to swap the car being produced with the next one coming down the line that was left-hand drive, this was 0255 EU. Therefore, 0255 EU would then be stamped with 0227 EL. The right-hand drive chassis would be stamped with 0255 EU.

The mystery solved, the restoration process would carry on. Despite the fact the car's restoration had not been completed, 0255 EU would make an appearance at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. To be able to be judged, Queen would have the restoration completed. This work would be done over the course of years but the car would continue to take part in events like the California Mille and the Tour Auto. Queen would even enter the Mille Miglia Storica in 2005.

Following an engine rebuild in 2006 by Patrick Ottis the Europa Cabriolet would make an appearance at the 2007 Quail Motorsports Gathering and would end up a Platinum Award winner at the Cavallino Classic and the FCA Concours in Monterey that same year.

Finally earning its Ferrari Classiche certification in 2009, 0255 EU's authenticity and uniqueness is well documented and certified. Featuring matching numbers and highly original throughout, the 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet would be presented at the 2013 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction. Initially drawing estimates ranging from $1,350,000 to $1,650,000, the Europa Cabriolet would end up selling for a price of $1,540,000.

Sources:
'Lot No. 31: 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1952-ferrari-212-europa-cabriolet/). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1952-ferrari-212-europa-cabriolet/. Retrieved 2 September 2013.

By Jeremy McMullen