Supercars.net

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. When there was a short supply of Ferraris, the road-going Inters served double-time and became race cars. One such outing included the 1950 Carrera Panamericana were two Inters placed 1-2 and put Ferrari on the map in America.

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.

In 1951 Ferrari sent two 212 Inters with four-seat Berlinetta bodywork by Vignale to that year's Carrera Panamericana. Run by Scuderia Guastalla, they competed against the American heavy metal. Piero Taruffi and Luigi Chinetti won the event outright in 0171EL. The other car was driven by Alberto Ascari who said the officials “were all convinced the Italian cars would be better on the mixed portions. but no-one believed our cars would also dominate on the endless, fast straights.”¹ This victory cemented the performance potential of Ferrari in America.

Sources & Further Reading.

1. Ludvigsen, Karl. Ferrari by Mailander. Dalton Watson: 2005.

Chassis & Sales

1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe 0289EU - sold for $742,500 One of the most attractive of the Geneva coupes, this is the last Ferrari 212 Inter bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale. It is one of very few with all-alloy construction and left hand drive. It has the factory three carburetor setup with horsepower equaling the sports racers of the era. Sold new to Alfred Momo in New York, it remained in the U.S. until 2002 when it was sold to an enthusiast in Japan. A small roster of American owners includes we... more
Gallery: 2008 Monterey Preview

Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe 0287EU - did not sell for €341,000 Mr. Schermerhorn subsequently purchased the car in 1999 and, as with all of his cars, has driven it sparingly ever since. Event appearances have included the MECC Show in Maastricht, Holland, the Uwe Meissner Modena Motorsport Track Days and Concours at the Nürburgring (2005) and, most recently, the XIV Sport et Collection event at the Circuit du Val de Vienne in France (June 2008), where it was on display with five other coach built cars in h... more
Gallery: 2009 Leggenda e Passione

1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe - sold for $804,500 As early Ferraris go, 0197 EL had a somewhat charmed life. Completed on June 15th 1952, it was delivered to a D. Signoret of Dignes, France. From there it found its way to the U.S. via Chinetti, and eventually to a James Floria in Connecticut. Floria put an ad in Road & Track in 1963, asking $3800 for the car, then painted in red. Its saviour was Ferrari historian Stan Nowak, who was the next owner and realized significance of early Ferraris. ... more
Gallery: 2009 Bonhams Exceptional Motorcars at Quail Lodge Resort

1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe 0289EU - sold for $654,500 The last of six “Geneva Coupes” by Vignale. Today this 212 remains in excellent overall condition, finished in classic Rosso Rubino with tan hides. Vignale may be considered the most glamorous of the early Ferrari coachbuilders, and the Geneva coupes are among the most handsome of the Vignale designs. This lovely example was built to the rarest, most desirable specifications, has proven event history and will certainly be welcome at virtually ... more
Gallery: RM Auctions' 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe 0267EU - sold for $660,000 Owned by Ferrari enthusiast and FCA co-founder Larry Nicklin for over three decades. A matching-numbers example. Shown at 35th Turin Motor Show in 1953. One of 80 212 Inter Ferraris. Documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini. The remarkable 212 Inter we have the pleasure of presenting at Amelia Island, chassis 0267 EU, was exhibited new at the 1953 Turin Motor Show, held in Parco Valentino, and is pictured on page 153 of Marcel Massini... more
Gallery: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by RM Auctions

Videos