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Alongside his successful competition cars, Enzo Ferrari sold detuned race cars for road-going clientele and the 212 Inter was a classic example. It replaced the very similar type 166 Inter, and its racecar brother, the 212 Export, wasn't that far ahead, and when there was a short supply of Ferraris, the road-going Inters served double-time and became race cars.

While the Inter and Export model frequently intermingled, there was one fundamental difference: The 212 Inter was a longer car, built to accept more accommodating and comfortable bodies. Its 2,600mm wheel base was unlike the Export model which had a wheelbase of only 2,250mm for racing on tight circuits. Both versions, however, had the same engineering characteristics, including a twin oval tube frame, independent front suspension, drum brakes and a potent V12 engine.

What makes the 212 Inter series so interesting are the individual differences between cars. Each was specially ordered by a customer, and every detail, from the body to the engine, had a large number of options. For instance, some cars featured well appointed interiors with finely decorated bodies, while others were frequently sent back to factory to receive competition-spec upgrades.

Like all of the early Ferraris, each 212 was unique, and, especially with regard to bodies, no two were the same. Many companies bodied the 212, and each in different ways, so it is hard to cover them all. Vignale was responsible for a bulk of the bodies, but the remaining 42 cars featured work from Touring, Abbot, Ghia and one very special Pinin Farina Cabriolet. This Cabrio, built on chassis 0147E or 0177E, was the first car to connect Pinin Farina with Ferrari and it helped establish the strong relationship that still exists between the companies today.

After the production ceased at around 110 cars, the fastest road car in its day was replaced with the 250 Europa introduced in 1953.

Bonhams 2005 sale of 0237EU at Gstaad

At their 2005, Ferrari-only auction at Gstadd, Bonhams will auction one of the most competition ready 212 Inters. In 1953, this car was sent back to factory to receive the larger 2.7 liter engine which raised its power to 210 bhp. Its first known race was the Coppa Intereuropa at Monza , an opener for the Italian Grand Prix in September. Franco Cornacchia won that event in 0237EU, as seen above in our third feature car.

Story by Bonhams Brooks PS&N Limited, edited by Supercars.net Publishing Inc.