☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

1951 Ferrari 212 Inter

The Ferrari 212 was produced in multiple variations between 1951 and 1952 and was the company's earliest production car with approximately 110 individual chassis being built for clients. They were bodied in a Plethora of styles from coupes, lightweight spiders, and berlinettas to luxurious cabriolets. Most of the coachwork for the 212 was performed by Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale with other bodies supplied by Touring and Ghia. The 212 was also the first Ferrari to be clothed by Pinin Farina, beginning a relationship that would yield some of the most attractive, elegant, and alluring Ferraris to-date.

Carrozzeria Vignale dressed 37 examples including 4 cabriolets. Touring built five Berlinettas and Ghia built 12 coupes.

The original V12 Ferrari engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo displaced 1.5-liters with 125cc per cylinder. The bore centers were placed 90 mm apart, allowing for future expansion. The engine would remain in production in numerous iterations until 1988, growing to nearly 5.0 liters in the 1985 412i grand tourer. In 1963, the engine received a redesigned block with wider, 94mm, bore spacing.

The Colombo-designed engine received its first increase in displacement to 1,995cc in the Ferrari 166, then to 2,341cc in 1950, followed by an increase in the cylinder bore from 65mm to 68mm bringing the individual cylinders to 212cc and the engine's displacement to 2,562cc.

In a similar fashion to the engine, the Ferrari chassis spanned many years and generations. It was constructed from two elliptical steel side-members with cross-members added for strength and rigidity. The rear suspension was comprised of a conventional live-axle setup with longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs. In the front were double wishbones with a transverse leaf spring and hydraulic shock absorbers. Ferrari's large hydraulically actuated drums provided the stopping power. The transmission was mounted directly behind the engine and had five forward speeds.

Two basic versions of the 212 were produced, but with unique distinctions. The Export model was intended for racing on tighter circuits and had a wheelbase of 2,250mm. The Inter version was typically built on a longer wheelbase chassis in both Gran Turismo and racing guise. Just like the coachwork, the engines were tailored to clients' needs with different carburation and tunes.

Over the production lifespan of the 212, the engine's elements were refined, including the introduction of cylinder heads with individual intake ports. When fitted with three 36mm downdraft Weber carburetors, horsepower improved to 170 bhp. Another change that occurred during the 212's production was the model designation, without comment or notice, to 'EU', foreshadowing the 250 Europa that followed.

Accolades in motorsport earned by the 212 include a first and second-place finish in the 1951 Carrera Panamericana by Piero Taruffi / Luigi Chinetti and Alberto Ascari / Luigi Villoresi.

Over a five year period, ending in 1952, Ferrari road car production totaled 142 examples of the 166, 195 and 212 Inters, with 82 being the 212 Inters. The 212 Inter was an essential automobile for Ferrari, providing necessary financial stability for the company while achieving some racing successes along the way.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Vignale
Chassis number: 0163E

The 212 Inter with four-seat bodywork by Vignale replaced the similar 166 Inter and led to the later 212 Export model. Ferrari production was only just getting started by 1951, and often only three or four cars were being delivered each month. Enzo Ferrari needed to gain sales in North America, and with no race cars available he entered a pair of road-going 212 Inters in the 1951 Carrera Panamericana - this car (0163), driven by Pierro Taruffi and Luigi Chinetti, and a second car (0161), driven by Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi. They placed first and second respectively, helping to put Ferrari on the map in America. It is fair to say that this is the car that heralded the Ferrari legend in America and also secured Chinetti's career as the sole Ferrari importer in America.

Coachwork for this one-off Ferrari coupe was designed by the legendary Giovanni Michelotti. The body was constructed by the Turin firm Vignale. The unique roof line and color combination gives the car a 'faux cabriolet' appearance. The chrome grille is unique. Michelotti and Vignale defied the wishes of Enzo Ferrari who wanted a more traditional Ferrari style egg crate grille. Nine different cars had a version of this chrome grille treatment. The car was originally sold new in Oporto Portugal where it remained for 44 years with several different owners. The car came to the United States in 2011 with its present owner.

Coupe by Ghia
Chassis number: 0145 E
Engine number: 0145 E

The Ferrari 212 inter and Europa series were built between the end of 1950 and 1953. A total of 78 chassis were built, powered by the Gioacchino Colombo-derived, 2562cc, 60-degree V12 engine coupled with a 5-speed gearbox. The 212s carried a variety of coachwork built by some of Italy's finest Carrozzerie, including Pinin Farina, Stabilimenti Farina, Touring, Vignale and, as with this example, Ghia.

This Ferrari 212 Inter coupe by Carrozzeria Ghia, an alloy-bodied coupe, is one of six made. It was the Ferrari show car at the 1951 Turin International Automobile Show at Parco Valentino, Torino, Italy. A total of 86 Ferrari 212's were built between 1951-53.

Its reputation was that of a sports car that was capable of winning international road races.

This car was shipped to the United States in 1960, but its history is unknown until the 1970s. It remained in Southern California until 1989 when it was acquired by its current owner, who oversaw a complete restoration that took place in Modena, Italy over a 10-year period (between 1989-1999) to its 1951 condition. The work did include some modifications to the original design.

This 212 coupe is powered by a 2.6 liter V-12 Ferrari engine that produces 190 horsepower. The Ghia-bodied Ferrari 212's were conservatively designed and featured luxurious interiors.

To return the car to original condition and to qualify it for a Ferrari Classiche Certification, the car was returned to Autosport in 2012 for a restoration to original specifications. Autosport agreed to correct their original modifications and return the car to the original restoration. The Classiche Certification will be completed in 2014. When the finished car was shown in 2014, news came that the original engine had been found in Boston by Ferrari experts Marcel Massini and Paul Russell, and the engine and chassis were reunited at the Ferrari Classiche workshops in Maranello.

Coupe by Ghia
Chassis number: 0143 E
Engine number: 0143 E

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.

The 166/195/212 series began at the 1948 Turin Motorshow, where Ferrari introduced a new model in spider and coupe configurations. This model was designated '166', a refernce to the 166 cc displacement of each of its 12 cylinders.

The 166 was extremely successful in competition, winning the Mille Miglia in 1948, 1949, and 1950, along with other major races as well.

The model was further improved upon with the introduction of the 195 and the 212 in 1951. These models achieved their larger displacements by boring out the 166 engine. The 212 had a total displacement of 2562 cc.

The 212 was available in 'Inter' or 'Export' versions, with some of the major differences being the wheelbases and carburetion set-ups. Bodies could be supplied by Touring, Vignale, Ghia or Pinin Farina.

The car displayed is a 212 Inter Coupe with a special one-off body by Touring of Milan.

Cabriolet by Vignale
Chassis number: 0159E
Engine number: 0159E

The 212 Inter and Europa series of cars were built between late 1950 and 1953, and are the most prolific of the early production cars manufactured, with the greatest variety of body styles. Along with his competition cars, Enzo Ferrari sold detuned race cars for road-going clientele and the 212 Inter is a classic example.

First sold to Giuseppe Santi in Rome, this car is one of four similar Cabriolets built by Vignale from a total of seventy-nine 212 Inters built during the aforementioned years. Vignale designed and built cars for Ferrari, Maris, Lancia and many others. For the design he often relied on his friend and former colleague at Farina, Giovanni Michelotti. The 212 models feature the traditional 60-degree V12 engine based on the famous Colombo design.

Cabriolet by Vignale
Chassis number: 0159E
Engine number: 0159E

The Ferrari 212 was produced between 1951 and 1952 in various configurations, an array of styles, and many different body styles. They scored significant racing victories and provided income for the marque, with 110 individual chassis built for clients.

The original Gioacchino Colombo engine fitted into a Ferrari displaced 1.5-liters, with 125cc per cylinder. For the 212, it was given an enlarged bore 68mm, bringing the individual cylinders to 212cc and the engine's displacement to 2562cc. The engine was fitted into a double oval tube frame with double wishbones at the front suspended by a transverse leaf spring and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Hydraulically actuated drums provided the stopping power. Ferrari mounted the transmission directly behind the engine and had five forward speeds.

The Export models were intended for racing on tighter circuits and had a wheelbase of 2250mm. Inter Versions typically had a longer wheelbase chassis were used for racing and Gran Turismo. The engines and chassis were tailored to meet the needs of the clients and to the specified coachwork.

This particular example is the 16th of 78 Inter examples built, and the first of four similarly styled cabriolets bodied by Vignale. It has a large open-mouth grille, chromed front fender stakes, and recessed chromed tail lamps. It rides on a 2500mm wheelbase and was completed at the factory in October of 1951. It was sent to a dealership in Rome before being sold to the first owner of record, Peter Staehelin, a student in Basel, Switzerland.

In 1953, Mr. Staehelin commissioned the factory to upgrade the Inter's motor to a higher state of tune by modifying the one-carburetor intake to a three-carb set-up, which duplicated the competition configuration of the 212 Export variant.

Mr. Tellenbach of Thalwil, Switzerland, purchased the car in December of 1960. It then passed to August Zumsteg in 1963. It was acquired by Rob de la Rive Box in January of 1969. In January of 1971, it was purchased by L.J. Roy Taylor of Shropshire, England and registered in the United Kingdom.

It was sold to Charles Gaston Renaud of Cortaillod, Switzerland in October of 1973. It remained with Mr. Renaud for several decades. In 2002 the owner began to disassemble the cabriolet for restoration. He, unfortunately, he passed away four years later with the refurbishment still underway. The car was domiciled within his estate until 2012 when it was acquired by its current caretaker. At the time, the odometer shows 71,628 kilometers, which are believed to be original.

In October of 2012, the Inter received a new paint finish in its original color of Rosso Bordeaux. A mechanical and interior restoration was also undertaken, with the work completed in the spring of 2014. Following the work, the factory issued the Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification in April 2014. 0159 E was accepted and presented in August at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it was awarded a Second Place victory.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Vignale
Chassis number: 0161 EL

Two 1951 Ferrari 212 Exports competed in the 1951 Carrera Panamericana Race. it was the first year the rules allowed 4-passenger vehicles. The Ferraris finished first and second. The two Ferraris required little maintenance over the near 2,000-mile race.

The 1951 Ferrari 212 Export is powered by a 2,562-cc (2.56-liter) water-cooled, single-overhead cam, V12 engine developing 150 horsepower coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. The 2,530-pound vehicle was fitted with four-wheel drum brakes and top speed is listed at 118 mph.

The car seen here today is the 0161EL, which finished second in 1951. A great deal of mystery surrounds the two 1951 Ferraris, and the whereabouts of the winning Ferrari, 0171 EL, is still unknown.

The local roads for the Carrera Panamericana race consisted of crushed volcanic rock. Tire wear was a major problem for the Ferraris and holes were cut into the rear fender wells to monitor tire conditions. These holes are seen in the car here today. The 0160 EL was restored by Steve Tillack, Redondo Beach, CA, who did extensive research on both Ferraris and even with the aid of Ferrari's own records, was unable to conclude the fate of the 0171 EL, the car that finished first.

Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi drove this particular Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe (serial number 0161 EL) to a second overall finish in the 1951 Carrera Panamerica in Mexico. The following year it finished seventh overall in the same event driven by a pair of privateers. It is powered by a 2.6-liter V-12 engine delivering up to 150 horsepower. The 212 Inter series of cars were built between late 1950 and 1953 and they sported a great variety of body styles. These varied significantly, even within the examples produced by a single coachbuilder, notably those from the Vignale design studio. A total of 26 Vignale Coupes were built on the 212 Inter chassis.

Coupe by Vignale
Chassis number: 0175 E
Engine number: 0175 E

In 1951, the Ferrari marque was still in its infancy. The four-year-old company had witnessed a victory by Count Giannino Marzotto in a Ferrari 195 S at the 1950 Mille Miglia. Their racing cars have proven their abilities on the worlds racing circuits and Enzo Ferrari believed his gran turismo road cars would be equally successful. In October of 1951, at the Paris Auto Show, Ferrari introduced the 212 Inter. It had a wheelbase that measured 2600mm and was powered by a 2.5-liter SOHC V-12 engine fed by a single 36 DCF Weber carburetor. They quickly proved their prowess, with a pair of 212 Vignale Coupes achieving a 1st and 2nd at the Carrera Panamericana, won by Piero Taruffi and Luigi Chinetti, with Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi close behind.

A total of 82 examples were built in the series including 37 clothed by Carrozzeria Vignale. They were built as a coupe and spider and wore coachwork by various coachbuilders.

This Ferrari 212 Inter left the factory with a 120-liter fuel tank, Pirelli 5.90-15 tires, and a type 166 crankshaft and Mondial pistons. The car was completed in November of 1951 and was finished in dark green with silver accents over a gray interior. It was soon acquired by its first private owner, Angelo Biemmi of northern Italy. In 1953, it was acquired by Ermanno Aebi of Milan. It subsequently passed to several other owners in Italy before it was imported to the United States and was sold to Jack Christianson. In the 1960s, it was acquired by Warren Scott. While in his care, the original engine was removed and sold to a dealer in the Los Angeles area. A Buick V8 was then installed in the empty 212 Inter bay.

In the 1970s, the car was acquired by Jack Stewart who re-acquired the original engine and re-installed it in the car. In the late 1980s, it was purchased by Ron Pinto of Palos Stewart, purchased the 212 in the 1970s; he re-acquired the original engine and reinstalled it in the car. In the late 1980s, the 212 was purchased by Ron Pinto of Palos Verdes Estates, California, who refinished it in red.

Mr. Pinto drove the Ferrari in the 1992 Mille Miglia and displayed it at the Santa Barbara Concours d'Elegance in 1992 and 1993, winning its class on both occasions.

In 2001, the 212 was purchased by Ven Fonte of Boston. The current caretaker purchased the car in 2007 and commissioned a full restoration which brought it back to its original glory. The work encompassed six years at a reported cost of $850,000. It received invitations to be shown at the 2015 and 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance but its restoration was not yet complete.

Currently, the car has about 100 break-in miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Vignale
Chassis number: 0175 E
Engine number: 0175 E

Ferrari introduced the 212 Inter at the Paris Auto Salon in October 1951, and around 80 examples were produced, almost all of them closed coupes. Powered by a 2.5-liter V12 engine fed by a single Weber carburetor, the 212 inter was soon seen in competition. One of its first wins was at the 1952 Carrera Panamericana when a pair of 212 Vignale-built coupes finished the grueling road race in first and second place. Carrozzerie Vignale built most of the closed 212 coupes as well as several cabriolets, although other examples were built by Ghia, Pinin Farina, and Touring.

This car was delivered to its first owner via Ferrari dealer Franco Cornacchia of the Scuderia Guastalla racing team. After a succession of owners in Italy, the car went to the United States in the mid-1950s. Its list of American owners includes Jack Christianson, Warren Scott, who removed the original motor and sold it, and Jack Stewart, who reunited that engine with the car in the 1970s. The current owners acquired it in 2017.

Coupe by Vignale
Chassis number: 0157EL
Engine number: 0157/EL

The Ferrari 212 Inter was introduced in 1951 as the replacement for the successful 166 and 195 Inter GT models but with a more powerful engine. The 212 was built as a sports car for the road that could also win international races. Inter Vignales finished first and second overall at the 1951 Carrera Panamericana Road Race. The 212 series cars are the last Ferraris built-in small production numbers.

Recorded by Ferrari as the first 'plus-two' seat example, it is an alloy body built on a 2600 mm chassis and powered by a 2.6-liter V12 engine and equipped with a five-speed transmission. Coachwork was provided by Vignale as Ferrari was not offering standard coachwork at the time.

Enzo Ferrari personally delivered this 212 on September 12th of 1951 to his friend Odofranco Wild, a Swiss industrialist. The body is identical to a Cunningham C-3 but smaller. It was purchased by an American visitor in 1955 and passed through several owners internationally over the years. History and ownership of the vehicle are well documented and this is the first showing of the car since its recent restoration.

This 212 Inter-Vignale finished 1-2 in the 1951 Carrera PanAmericana. It was recently restored by Rod Drew of FAI and Beckman Metalworks.

Coupe by Ghia-Aigle
Chassis number: 0137E

Carrosserie Ghia S.A., Aigle, commonly known as Ghia-Aigle, was founded in Switzerland in 1948 as a subsidiary of Carrozzeria Ghia, and was responsible for creating the stunning coachwork for this Ferrari 212 Inter. This is one of only two Ferraris bodied by Ghia-Aigle, and the only one built sporting this design by Giovanni Michelotti. Sold new to Henry-Gustave Thiebald of Switzerland, the car was exported to England in the late 1950s, where it received some racing upgrades. Its British owner, F.J. Buckland, raced the car on May 5, 1974, at the Prescott Speed Hill Climb in Gloucestershire, and since then the car has been owned by collectors from the United States, Japan, and New Zealand. A truly historic one-off Ferrari, this 212 Inter has participated in the Mille Miglia twice, and was invited to Ferrari's 60th Anniversary Concours at the Circuito de Fiorano in 2007, in recognition of its rarity and significance.

Coupe by Ghia
Chassis number: 0185el

This 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter 2+2 Berlina wears its original aluminum coachwork by Ghia. It is one of 4 Four-Passenger 2+2 Berlina bodies built by Ghia and is number 23 of 35 Ferraris bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia. The sister car to this example was owned by King Farouk of Egypt.

This Ferrari was delivered new to Robert Braunschweig of La Chaux-de-Fonds Switzerland (Braunschweig was the Editor of Swiss Magazine Automobil Revue from 1952 to 1980). By 1977, the car was located in Portland, Oregon where it had a handful of owners until 1985, when it was sold to Fred Peters and Charles Betz of Santa Ana, California. It has been part of a private collection since 1994.

The Ferrari was given a mechanical restoration by Sport Auto LTD of Ridgefield, Connecticut, the upholstery by Coast Auto Trim of New Rochelle, New York, and the paint by Continental Auto of Portland, Connecticut. After the restoration was completed, it was shown at the 1997 FCA National Meet, the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, and the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance. It was displayed at the 1998 Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center in New York City and the Ferrari Club North America meet in New York City in 2004.

In 1995, the block and heads were rebuilt, and new camshafts, pistons and intake/exhaust valves were installed. The transmission was rebuilt with new synchros in 1995, and an electric fuel pump was installed in 2021.

This right-hand drive Ferrari is powered by a 2,562cc SOHC all-alloy twelve-cylinder engine with a single Weber carburetor and paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. It has a red exterior, tan interior, Jaeger instrumentation, Borrani wire wheels, and a tool roll.

by Dan Vaughan

The 212 Inter descended directly from the first Ferrari of just four years previous. Introduced in 1951, the 212 was the replacement for Ferrari's very successful 166 and 195 Inter GT vehicles. This was the eventual evolution of the 166, a sports car that would win international races, as well as being a road-worthy warrior. Sharing a similar chassis to the 125, the 212 had double wishbones in front and live axles in the rear. The final model of the Ferrari's first series, the versatile V-12 was updated and enlarged to 2,562 cc.

Becoming the youngest winner of the Italian Grand Prix in 1950, Giannino Marzotto, age 22, and heir to a large textile factory wasn't afraid to inform Ferrari about the heaviness and lack of aerodynamics in his available vehicles. Ferrari Responding that his cars were the most efficient in the world, Marzotto set a challenge to improve upon the previous year's Ferrari.

Incorporating a whole new design that was based on the Ferrari 166 with a 212 engine, the low slung body with a rounded shape was built similar to an egg or 'Uovo'. Builders at this time based their designs on 'optical intuition' rather than wind tunnels eventually used in auto racing. Marzotto called on the aid of coachbuilders Paolo Fontana and Sergio Reggiani of Padua to assist in his design.

Construction of the body of the Ferrari 212 began by utilizing braced box tubes that were covered with Puralumana.; which was a type of Duralumin that assisted in a weight savings of nearly 200lbs. Offering relief from window reflections that can be annoying, a steeply raked front windshield was designed. Unfortunately, during rainstorms and when speed was involved, the wipers lost contact with the windscreen rendering it useless. A result of the original radiator not being delivered in time, the tall radiator was put in place instead and pushed the bonnet of the 212 to be 15cm higher than originally planned.

Following road-testing in nearby mountains, the Marzollo brothers next took their Uovo to Ferrari in Maranello. This meeting did not go as expected as Ferrari took offense at what he perceived as a challenge from a family of amateurs. Ferrari told the Marzotto brothers that would enter a car in Sicily driven by Taruffi to 'defend the colors of the Cavallino', which only served to stiffen the resolve of the brothers.

During the 1951 Mille Miglia, Giannino brought his Uovo newly fitted with triple carburetors to boost the engine to 186 hp. This now improved aerodynamics and lightened the weight, making it able to match the overall speed of the larger cars. The main advantage that the Uovo had over other vehicles was its maneuverability.

Following the first 600 of 1600 kilometers at the Giro di Sicilia, Giannino opened a 10-minute lead over the entire field. Unfortunately, Marzotto had to withdraw from the race due to a loud drumming noise coming from the rear of the car. Fearing a frozen differential that might toss his vehicle into the Italian countryside, and himself into immortality, Marzotti withdrew from the race that was eventually won by Villoresi in of the 4.1s.

The Uovo reached victory at the following race, the Giro di Toscana. A return to the Mille Miglia was made in 1953 by Giannino Marzotto, as well as a victory driving one of the Ferrari 4.1s.

The Coachbuilders for the Ferrari 212 included such elite designers as Pinin Farina, Ghia, Vignale, and Carrozzeria Touring. Similar to the 195, the 212 produced additional displacement over the 166 with a larger bore, this time to 68 mm.

The Ferrari 212 V12 continued in production until as late as 1953 and continued for a longer period than a 195. Compared to about 80 of the 212 Inter versions, around two dozen Export models were produced. A total of 15 Ferrari 212 Vignale Coupes were ever produced.

by Jessican Donaldson

166, 195, and 212

The 166 Inter was powered by a 2-liter V12 engine and produced 115 horsepower. These were road cars and were given odd chassis numbers. The even chassis numbers were reserved for the vehicles that were intended for racing. The bodies of the Inter vehicles were mostly Berlinetta and Coupes. At first, Touring handled most of the road going body construction but it was not long before Vignale, Ghia, Pinin Farina, and others were creating custom coachwork. The 166 Inter was mechanically similar to the racing versions; it was 25 horsepower shy of its racing sibling. The suspension was wishbones in the front and a live rear axle. The chassis was a simple steel tubular frame. A replacement was created in 1950 after around 40 examples of the 166 Inter were produced. The displacement of the engine was enlarged to just over 2.3 liters which resulted in a unitary displacement of 195cc. Thus, the 195 Inter came into existence. A year later, the engine was enlarged even further resulting in the 212 Inter. After a year of production and with only 142 examples being created, the production of the 212 Inter ceased.

The 212 Inter was intended for road use while the 212 Export was primarily constructed for competition. Ferrari produced the rolling chassis and a Carrozzeria, meaning coachbuilder, was given the task of constructing the body. Each body was hand-built and often to customers' specifications. Because of this, the dimensions, body styles, and features of the car vary from one to another. Many of the 212 Inter vehicles sat atop a 2600mm wheelbase chassis; some were on a shorter, 2500mm wheelbase. The 212 Exports were also built atop of a 2250 wheelbase.

Cars produced between 1952 and 1953 were given the 'EU' designation on their chassis. The ones that proceeded these were given chassis numbers ending in S, E, and EL. The 'E' represented Export while the 'L' represented Lungo. One special chassis carried the 'T' designation on its chassis plate.

Under the hood of the long and graceful bonnet was a Colombo designed V12 engine mounted at 60-degrees. The engine came in a variety of flavors and left up to the customers to chose. Standard was the single Weber 36 DCF carburetor which was capable of producing 150 horsepower. Triple Weber 32 DCF carburetors could be purchased which increased horsepower to an impressive 170. All versions came with the standard Ferrari five-speed non-synchromesh gearbox and hydraulic drum brakes.

In total there were 82 versions of the 212 Inter constructed. Vignale was given the task of creating 37 of these. Fifteen of his creations were coupes, seven were convertibles, and thirteen were in Berlinetta configuration. Ghia was tasked with constructing 15 coupes and one convertible. Touring clothed one coupe and six Berlinetta's. The English coachbuilder, Abbot, created a four-seat cabriolet that was not that pleasing to the eye. Pinin Farina created two convertibles and eleven coupes. Styling varied among each of these coachbuilders with some being heavily dictated by the customer's wishes. Most of the cars were elegant, with few flamboyant cues, and well-proportioned body lines. They were minimalistic with little chrome and rounded smooth bodies.

The 212 was replaced by the 250 Europa in 1953 and Pinin Farina had become Enzo Ferrari's carrozzeria of choice.

by Dan Vaughan