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, including a robust tubular steel chassis frame, independent front suspension, live rear axle and the Gioacchino Colombo- engineered V-12 engine, the grand touring-oriented 166 Inter also offered Enzo Ferrari’s personal preference for more comfort and room. In 1950, the 195 Inter arrived, with its model designation reflecting a displacement increase to 2.4L, which was again increased by 1951 to 2.6L 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. Two distinct yet similar variants of the 212 were offered, including the competition-oriented 212 Export, ostensibly for competition, which boasted higher compression and triple Weber carburetors to produce a 170 HP rating. The slightly longer-wheelbase 212 Inter, which was primarily intended for fast road use in the Grand Touring style, utilized a single Weber twin-choke carburetor to deliver a robust 130 HP rating at 6,500 engine revolutions. While a road car from the outset, the 212 Inter delivered outstanding performance with acceleration from rest to 60 MPH quoted by Ferrari experts in less than 10 seconds and as low as 7.5 seconds en route to a top-end charge approaching 120 MPH, depending upon the final-drive ratio selected. The 212 “Inter” name, first applied to the earlier 166-series Ferrari road cars, continued to honor the victories earned by Scuderia Inter during the late 1940s and underscored the competition heritage of the new Ferrari. As intended, the 212 Export utterly dominated international sports-car racing during 1951 with the era’s top professional and “gentlemen” racers piloting the Ferrari to many victories at the Tour of Sicily, Vila Real and a 1-2-3 sweep at the Tour de France, along with a number of second- and third-place podiums. In November 1951, the 212 displayed its immense versatility and—in 212 Inter guise, no less—scored a 1-2 victory at Mexico’s fast and deadly Carrera Panamericana long- distance road race. There, the winning Vignale-bodied 212 Inter coupe driven by Piero Taruffi and Luigi Chinetti finished ahead of a similar car codriven by Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi. No. 23 of 35 Ferraris bodied by the venerable Carrozzeria Ghia, this 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter is one of four with 2+2 Berlina coachwork by Ghia 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, which included a rebuild of the block and heads and 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.
