In late 1948, Ferrari introduced its first road car, the two-seat, 2.0L V-12-powered 166MM, with the numerical designation referring to the cubic centimeters of one cylinder and the “MM” standing for the Mille Miglia, Italy’s famed 1,000-mile road race won by Ferrari in May of that same year. Ferrari then followed up with the 166 Inter, a larger, longer-wheelbase 2+2 Berlina (sedan). Using the same basic platform as the 166MM—a strong steel tube chassis, independent front suspension, live rear axle and the Colombo V-12 engine—the grand touring-oriented 166 Inter perfectly accommodated Enzo Ferrari’s personal preference for more comfort and room. In 1950, the designation changed to 195 Inter to reflect an increase in displacement to 2.4 liters, which was again increased in 1951 to 2.6 liters in the 212 Inter. Despite their intended mission as road cars, many Inters were driven to victory in competition, adding to Ferrari’s rapidly building prestige and attracting the attention of Italy’s burgeoning postwar coachbuilding trade. No. 23 of 35 Ferraris bodied by the venerable Carrozzeria Ghia, this 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter is one of four with Ghia 2+2 Berlina coachwork and a sister car to the example owned by King Farouk of Egypt. Chassis No. 0185EL and Engine No. 0185EL, the car was delivered new to Robert Braunschweig of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, who 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 before its sale to Fred Peters and Charles Betz of Santa Ana, California. Since 1994, the car has been part of a private collection, during which time it was mechanically restored by Sport Auto LTD of Ridgefield, Connecticut, who rebuilt the block and heads and installed new camshafts, pistons and intake and exhaust valves. The 5-speed manual gearbox was also rebuilt, utilizing new synchros. The original Ghia aluminum coachwork remains in excellent condition and was beautifully painted by Continental Auto of Portland, Connecticut. Likewise, the interior features tan leather upholstery by East Coast Auto Trim of New Rochelle, New York, and matching tan carpets, right-hand drive, Jaeger instrumentation and a rare Clayton Type CB heater/defroster unit. After the restoration was completed, the car was shown at the 1997 Ferrari Club of America National Meet, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance and the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. It was shown again at the 1998 Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center in New York City and the FCA National Meet in New York City in 2004. Offered with restoration and maintenance receipts dating to 1994, this 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter is a rare and fascinating example of Enzo Ferrari’s seminal V-12 grand-touring concept, highlighted by the original Ghia coachwork and a concours-quality presentation.
