Ferrari 212 Export

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ferrari 212 Export
Curb weight
850 kg (1,874 lb) (dry, berlinetta)
Chronology
PredecessorFerrari 195 S
SuccessorFerrari 225 S
See also the 212 Inter grand tourer

The Ferrari 212 Export was a

Tour de France automobile, Giro di Sicilia, Coppa della Toscana, 10 Hours of Messina and other motor races throughout its career.[3] It was meant to be a sports car available for oversea markets.[4]

Development

The Ferrari 212 Export was an evolution over the preceding

166 MM range, and was adopted for the racing 212-series instead of the usual "Sport" moniker.[6] Twenty-seven 212 Exports were built, most of them used in competition.[1]

Bodywork

Most bodies of the 212 Export range came from the Ferrari's chosen coachbuilder,

Carrozzeria Touring.[7] Classic Touring Barchetta shape graced a total of eight cars, while another four received a closed berlinetta body style.[1] One particular Touring Barchetta s/n 0102E was re-bodied by Carrozzeria Autodromo between 1953–1954, when it was acquired by Fox Studios in Hollywood, California, used in the 1955 movie "The Racers" with Kirk Douglas and Bella Darvi, directed by Henry Hathaway.[8] It was later raced in the 1954 Mille Miglia to gather footage for another movie, the 1961 "The Green Helmet" with Sid James and Bill Travers.[8]

Carrozzeria Vignale created ten competition bodies in total.[1] Three open-top spiders and seven closed Berlinetta to a Giovanni Michelotti design.[9] Carrozzeria Motto bodied only a handful of Ferraris, including two examples of the 212 Export.[10] One spyder s/n 0094E and one berlinetta s/n 0074E were created to a Rocco Motto design.[11] The spyder featured triple headlights and was owned by an Italian racing driver Piero Scotti before ending up in Argentina.[12] There was a single Paolo Fontana creation in the form of a spyder, s/n 0086E.[13] The body was an open style described as a "carretto siciliano" or "Sicilian cart" with cycle-fenders. Scuderia Marzotto ordered a bare chassis from Ferrari and commissioned the coachwork to Carrozzeria Fontana from Padova. After the Giro di Sicilia, the first body was soon converted by Vignale into a regular spyder of their style. This, in turn, was re-bodied as a three-door station wagon by Fontana to serve as a support car in Carrera Panamericana. Before the 1952 Giro di Sicilia, 0086E received yet another spyder body, this time also by Fontana, with regular fenders but very narrow and inswept flanks.[14]

Notable examples

Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export "l'Uovo". Created from a crashed 166 MM chassis with a new 212 Export-sourced engine and re-bodied by Fontana.

Some earlier cars from the 166 MM range were converted into the 212 specifications. One such example, s/n 024MB, was recreated after a serious accident in which the car was split into two parts.

Giannino Marzotto, executed by Carrozzeria Fontana and a year later, a new 2.6-litre engine from 212 Export s/n 0084E. Due to the unusual shape of the car, it was called "l'Uovo", which means "the egg". Because it raced with the 212-spec engine, its competition history and victories are counted towards the 212 Exports.[16]

Not all 212 Exports were race cars. Vignale created further two

Turin Motor Show car, was possibly at one time owned by Roberto Rossellini and has never raced.[20][21] S/n 0098E was created as a Vignale Coupé and later re-bodied as an open-top spyder with additional headrest. This example also never saw racing.[22]

Some examples were further converted to 225-specification by upgrading to a 2.7 L engine. Cars with chassis numbers 0104E,[23] 0112E and 0158ED were some of them.[24]

Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet

212 MM

Ferrari 212 MM Vignale Berlinetta

The 1951 Ferrari 212 MM was the first example of the series, that was later renamed as 212 Export.

Webers. In April 1952, just before the Mille Miglia race, the car received an updated new bodywork, still in Vignale Berlinetta form, with a recessed grille and had portholes in fenders installed before Le Mans. The 212 MM was raced throughout 1955 up until the fatal accident of Giovanni Brinci during Mille Miglia.[26] In 1995 it was offered for US$349,000 and is since owned by a former Microsoft president, Jon Shirley.[25]

Specifications

Ferrari 212 Export Touring Berlinetta

Engine and transmission

The Ferrari 212 Export was powered by the

Weber 32DCF carburettors or alternatively three Weber 36DCF setup. The exception was the 212 MM with triple quad-barrel Webers and some early examples with only a single carburettor. The ignition system was made of a single spark plug per cylinder served by two coils. Engine lubrication was by a wet sump arrangement. Transmission was a 5-speed and non-synchronised.[27][1]

Chassis and suspension

The chassis of the 212 Export was a new construction, still utilising steel tubes, elliptical in section. Later models could be equipped with a Gilco-designed Tuboscocca trellis frame, constructed out of smaller diameter tubes for increased rigidity.[28][29] The wheelbase was the same as on the 195 S model, measuring 2,250 mm (88.6 in).[5][1]

The front suspension setup was independent with double wishbones and transverse leaf springs. Front shock absorbers were hydraulic of a Houdaille type. At the rear was a live axle with semi-elliptic springs and Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers.[1] Brakes were of a hydraulic drum type, all-round. The fuel tank had a capacity of 120 litres.[5]

Racing

Motto Spyder with triple headlights

The first outing and also the first success came at the 1951 Giro di Sicilia race. Three 212 Exports were entered, and one of them won.

Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara led the first half of the race with their 166/212 Export Fontana Berlinetta before retiring with a flat tyre.[33] The 212 MM was 17th overall, driven by Franco Cornacchia and Guido Mariani of Scuderia Guastella. Motto-bodied spyder, s/n 0094E, was third overall and second in the +2.0 class.[12] Drivers were Piero Scotti and A. Ruspaggiari.[34]

Tour de France automobile
in 212 Export Touring Barchetta

III.

340 America, with Vittorio Marzotto behind the wheel.[37]

Autodromo Spyder that starred in "The Racers" movie

For the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans three 212 Exports were fielded, all privately entered. The best result was by a Vignale Berlinetta s/n 096E, driven by Norbert Jean Mahé and Jacques Péron.[38] They finished ninth overall and fourth in S+3.0 class. Charles Moran Jr. with Franco Cornacchia scored 16th place in their Touring Barchetta s/n 0100E, renumbered to 0067S.[39] The race was not devoid of tragic moments when Touring Barchetta s/n 0078E of Jean Larivière and André Guelfi spun out of Tertre Rouge and instantly killed Larivière on his fifth lap of the race.[40] Next victory came at the Vila Real circuit in Portugal.[13] Giovanni Bracco won the race setting the fastest lap time in his Vignale Spyder.[41] Later the same year at the Giro delle Calabria, Pietro Palmieri and Vallecchi scored a second place and won their S+1.1 class.[42] It was the first race of the Touring Barchetta destined to be a film star.[8] Umberto Marzotto also won the XII. Trieste-Opicina hillclimb[43]

Jacques Péron drove this Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Coupé to a 2nd place at 1951 Tour de France

In 1951, four Exports were entered in the

Tour de France automobile race. It was the first instalment of this French marathon. Three Exports were fielded, and all three finished the gruelling twelve-day race. Not only that, they scored 1-2-3 victory.[45] The overall winners were Pierre "Pagnibon" Boncompagni and Alfred Barraquet with their Touring Barchetta s/n 0078E, covered with a soft-top.[46] Second place went to Jacques Péron and R. Bertramnier in Vignale Berlinetts s/n 0096E.[38] Finally Elio Checcacci with Harry Schell scored the third place, driving a one-off Motto Berlinetta s/n 0074E.[11]

The first major race of the 1952 season for the 212 Export was the

1952 12 Hours of Pescara Franco Cornacchia teamed up with a Mille Miglia veteran Clemente Biondetti.[25] Their 212 MM managed to finish the endurance race on a second place.[51] A couple of days later Cornacchia won the Trullo d'Oro, also known as the 2 Hours of Pescara.[52]

Another endurance race in the 1952 season was the

Coppa Inter-Europa, this time driven by Franco Cornacchia.[25] He scored a second place and a fastest lap.[56] The last major race of the 1952 season was the Carrera Panamericana. One American team fielded their 212 Export for this grueling Mexican marathon.[57] Phil Hill and Arnold Stubbs drove their Vignale Berlinetta, s/n 0092E to a sixth place overall.[58] Hans-Karl von Tscharner raced his Touring Barchetta s/n 0134E over numerous Hillclimb events between 1952-1956, scoring ten victories, including five in class.[59]

Collectability

The Ferrari 212 Exports are highly sought after collectors cars. Many have racing pedigree and company's reputation from the success of its race cars. There were many different body styles and coachbuilders. Many collectors are searching for an early V12-engines Touring Barchetta that was purposely built for racing. An early Ferrari's ownership allows for participation in historic rallies and races.[60] Auction prices of 212 Exports have risen in recent years.[61] The 212 Export Motto Spyder was estimated CHF2.8-3.8 million in 2008.[62] One of only two Export Cabriolets was sold above its estimate on auction by Gooding & Company for US$1.87 million in 2011.[63] Bonhams auctioned a Touring Berlinetta s/n 0088E, for US$3.19 million in 2014.[64] The penultimate Export, a Touring Barchetta s/n 0158ED, was sold by RM Sotheby's for €6.72 million in 2015.[65]

Gallery

  • Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Coupé s/n 0092E
  • Ferrari 212 Export s/n 0098E, rebodied as barchetta

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Ferrari 212 Export - Register". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  2. ^ "1951 Ferrari 212 Export". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  3. ^ "All Results of Ferrari 212 Export". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Ferrari 212 Export". supercars.net. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "Ferrari 212 Export". ferrari.com. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  6. ^ "166 Export s/n 0072E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Ferrari 212 Export Touring Berlinetta". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  8. ^ a b c "212 Export s/n 0102E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Elenco delle Vetture progettate da Giovanni Michelotti conosciute al momento". archiviostoricomichelotti.it (in Italian). Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Ferrari 212 Export Motto Spyder". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "212 Export s/n 0074E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  12. ^ a b "212 Export s/n 0094E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e "212 Export s/n 0086E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Ferrari 212 Export Fontana Spyder". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  15. ^ a b "166 MM s/n 024MB". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  16. ^ "1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export "Uovo" by Fontana". rmsothebys.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  18. ^ "212 Export s/n 0106E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  19. ^ "212 Export s/n 0110E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  20. ^ "212 Export s/n 0076E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Bits and piece". velocetoday.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  22. ^ "212 Export s/n 0098E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  23. ^ "212 Export s/n 0104ED". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  24. ^ a b c "212 Export s/n 0158ED". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g "212 MM s/n 0070M". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  26. ^ "All Results of Ferrari 212 MM". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  27. ^ "212 Export". mitorosso.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  28. ^ "Ferrari 212S". gilcodesign.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  29. ^ "Ferrari 212S". gilcodesign.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  30. ^ "Giro di Sicilia 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  31. ^ "Coppa Inter-Europa 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  32. ^ "Non Championship Races 1951". wsrp.cz. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  33. ^ Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing. pp. 36–37.
  34. ^ "Mille Miglia 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  35. ^ "Coppa della Toscana 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  36. ^ "Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  37. ^ "Portugal Grand Prix 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  38. ^ a b "212 Export s/n 0096E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  39. ^ "212 Export s/n 0100E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  40. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  41. ^ "Vila Real 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  42. ^ "Giro delle Calabria 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  43. ^ "212 Export s/n 0090E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  44. ^ "Targa Florio 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  45. ^ "Tour de France 1951 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  46. ^ "212 Export s/n 0078E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  47. ^ "Mille Miglia 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  48. ^ "Quarta Coppa della Toscana 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  49. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  50. ^ "Targa Florio 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  51. ^ "12 h Pescara 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  52. ^ "Trullo d'Oro 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  53. ^ "10 h Messina 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  54. ^ "GP Pergusa 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  55. ^ "Non Championship Races 1952". wsrp.cz. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  56. ^ "Coppa Inter-Europa 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  57. ^ "Carrera Panamericana 1952 - Race Results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  58. ^ "212 Export s/n 0092E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  59. ^ "212 Export s/n 0134E". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  60. ^ "1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta". sportscarmarket.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  61. ^ "1951 Ferrari 212 Export Valuation and Auction Sales Data". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  62. ^ "1951 Ferrari 212 Export Spider". bonhams.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  63. ^ "1951 Ferrari 212 Export Cabriolet". goodingco.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  64. ^ "1951 Ferrari 212 Export Berlinetta". bonhams.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  65. ^ "1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring". rmsothebys.com. Retrieved 12 November 2019.

Bibliography

External links