Manufactured from 1951 to 1952, the Ferrari 212 not only achieved notable success in racing but also placed a remarkable 110 individual chassis into the hands of clients. The 212 boasted a diverse range of body styles, ranging from lightweight spiders, coupés, and Berlinettas to elegant and luxurious cabriolets. While Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale played a significant role in crafting the majority of the 212’s coachwork, it also served as the foundation for Pinin Farina’s inaugural Ferrari, along with notable designs by Touring and Ghia.
Gioacchino Colombo’s original V12 design for Ferrari featured a modest 1.5-liter capacity, equating to just 125cc per cylinder. The engine underwent expansions, first reaching 1,995cc in the Ferrari 166, and later growing to 2,341cc in 1950. A subsequent increase in cylinder bore, from 65mm to 68mm, elevated individual cylinders to 212cc, resulting in an overall engine displacement of 2,562cc.
The chassis adhered to Ferrari’s proven design, featuring a double oval tube frame with double wishbones at the front, supported by a transverse leaf spring. The rear boasted a carefully positioned live axle, coupled with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Braking power came from Ferrari’s sizable hydraulically actuated drums, while the transmission, housing five forward speeds, was directly mounted behind the engine.
Source: Bonhams Cars
