The Ferrari 212 Export
Timeless Elegance: A Legacy Forged in Speed and Style
To speak of the Ferrari 212 Export is to invoke a bygone era of motoring, when automobiles were crafted as much by artisans as by engineers, and where the symphony of a Colombo V12 could drown out even the most persistent doubters of Italian genius. Produced in the brief span of 1951 to 1952, the 212 Export epitomized Ferrari's nascent dominance in motorsport, clinching victories at prestigious events such as the Tour de France Automobile, Giro di Sicilia, and Coppa della Toscana. Its very existence acknowledged Ferrari's ambitions beyond Italy's borders—a racer conceived for overseas markets.
A Legacy of Development
The 212 Export was not born in isolation but evolved from the earlier Ferrari 195 S. With an increased engine capacity and a reimagined chassis, it represented the cutting edge of racing technology for its time. The 212 Export carried the torch of Ferrari's dual-purpose philosophy—machines equally adept at competing on Sunday and thrilling the gentleman driver on Monday.
The "Export" moniker first appeared on the 166 Export Vignale Spyder, yet it was the 212 that cemented the term's association with Ferrari's racing pedigree. A mere 27 examples were constructed, each with a purpose as singular as the craftsmanship bestowed upon it.
Bodywork: A Coachbuilder’s Canvas
The 212 Export was, in essence, a work of art. The majority of the cars were clothed by Carrozzeria Touring, whose Barchetta and Berlinetta designs remain timeless icons. Yet diversity was a hallmark of the model—Vignale, Motto, and Fontana each contributed unique interpretations, with designs ranging from the aerodynamic to the eccentric.
Consider, for instance, Touring Barchetta s/n 0102E, whose journey took it from Hollywood's silver screen in The Racers to the hairpin bends of the Mille Miglia. Or Fontana's "carretto siciliano" creation, a study in audacity with its cycle fenders and utility-inspired silhouette. Each coachbuilder brought their own flair, ensuring no two Exports were alike, save for their shared lineage of excellence.
Engineering Excellence
At the heart of the 212 Export lay the Colombo V12 engine, a masterpiece of compact engineering; it was a testament to Ferrari's ability to balance power with reliability. The triple Weber carburetors fed the engine with precision, while a non-synchronized 5-speed gearbox allowed the driver to wrestle every ounce of performance from the car.
The chassis, a steel-tube construction later refined with a Tuboscocca trellis frame, provided both rigidity and a platform for innovation. Suspension systems were equally advanced, with independent front wishbones and a live rear axle supported by semi-elliptic springs.
A Collector’s Dream
The Ferrari 212 Export occupies a rarified space in the annals of automotive history, revered as much for its racing pedigree as for its exclusivity. Auction records tell a tale of ever-rising values, with the most exquisite examples fetching millions. From the CHF 3.8 million estimate of a Motto Spyder to the €6.72 million sale of Touring Barchetta s/n 0158ED, these machines are coveted not merely as cars but as rolling pieces of history.
To own a 212 Export is to hold a ticket to the most exclusive rallies and races. It is an opportunity to live vicariously through the exploits of legends who once held the same wooden-rimmed steering wheel. And above all, it is to possess a fragment of Ferrari's soul—a soul forged in the heat of competition and cooled only by the wind of victory.
In the Ferrari 212 Export, past, present, and future converged. It was not merely a car; it was a promise of what was to come, a harbinger of Ferrari's dominance, and a reminder that sometimes, the most fleeting creations leave the deepest impressions.
This 1951 Ferrari 212/225 Export by Vignale is coming to RM Sotheby’s Paris 2025 auction and will cross the block on Wednesday, 5 February 2025:
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