Ferrari · 1951–1952
Ferrari 212 Export
See also the 212 Inter grand tourer The Ferrari 212 Export was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1951–1952. The 212 Exports won Tour de France automobile, Giro di Sicilia, Coppa della Toscana, 10 Hours of Messina and other motor races throughout its career. It was meant to be a sports car available for oversea markets.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Ferrari 195 S
All Ferrari 212 Export data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Development
The Ferrari 212 Export was an evolution over the preceding 195 S in terms of engine capacity and new chassis. The 212 Export was a race model produced alongside a road-going version, the 212 Inter. The "Export" name first appeared on the 166 Export Vignale Spyder s/n 0072E, from the 166 MM range, and was adopted for the racing 212-series instead of the usual "Sport" moniker. Twenty-seven 212 Exports were built, most of them used in competition. Bodywork. Most bodies of the 212 Export range came from the Ferrari's chosen coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring. Classic Touring Barchetta shape graced a total of eight cars, while another four received a closed berlinetta body style. One particular Touring Barchetta s/n 0102E was re-bodied by Carrozzeria Autodromo between 1953 and 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. 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. Carrozzeria Vignale created ten competition bodies in total. Three open-top spiders and seven closed Berlinetta to a Giovanni Michelotti design. Carrozzeria Motto bodied only a handful of Ferraris, including two examples of the 212 Export. One spyder s/n 0094E and one berlinetta s/n 0074E were created to a Rocco Motto design. The spyder featured triple headlights and was owned by an Italian racing driver Piero Scotti before ending up in Argentina. There was a single Paolo Fontana creation in the form of a spyder, s/n 0086E. 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 coachw
Specifications
=== Engine and transmission === The Ferrari 212 Export was powered by the SOHC, 2-valve per cylinder, Colombo V12 engine with increased capacity compared to the preceding model. Now the internal measurements were 68 by 58.8 mm (2.7 by 2.3 in) of bore and stroke. The total displacement was 2,562.51 cc (2.6 L; 156.4 cu in). With 8.4:1 compression ratio, maximum power output ranged from 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6500 up to 165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) at 7000 rpm, depending on the carburettors setup. Fuel was fed to the engine by three 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. 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. The wheelbase was the same as on the 195 S model, measuring 2,250 mm (88.6 in). 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. Brakes were of a hydraulic drum type, all-round. The fuel tank had a capacity of 120 litres.
Racing
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. Vittorio Marzotto and Paolo Fontana won the race in a Fontana Spyder s/n 0086E, entered by Scuderia Marzotto. The second victory was achieved by the 212 MM entered in the Coppa Inter-Europa, in the +1.5 class. Luigi Villoresi won the race and set a fastest lap. His average speed was 153,870 km/h. For the Mille Miglia race of the same year four 212 Exports were entered. Only two managed to finish the race. 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. 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. Drivers were Piero Scotti and A. Ruspaggiari. III. Coppa della Toscana, held in 1951, was won by the 212 Export, s/n 024MB that was converted from the destroyed 166 MM and re-bodied by Carrozzeria Fontana. Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara drove their berlinetta with Scuderia Marzotto. Piero Scotti finished the race in third place in his Motto Spyder. Franco Cornacchia and Del Carlo also finished the race in the 212 MM. Cornacchia later entered the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti, but he did not finish the race. Scuderia Marzotto fielded a single 212 Export Vignale Spyder for the Circuito do Porto and managed to finish second overall, behind much more powerful 340 America, with Vittorio Marzotto behind the wheel. 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. They finished ninth
Collectability
The Ferrari 212 Exports are highly sought-after collector's 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. Auction prices of 212 Exports have risen in recent years. The 212 Export Motto Spyder was estimated CHF2.8-3.8 million in 2008. One of only two Export Cabriolets was sold above its estimate on auction by Gooding & Company for US$1.87 million in 2011. Bonhams auctioned a Touring Berlinetta s/n 0088E, for US$3.19 million in 2014. The penultimate Export, a Touring Barchetta s/n 0158ED, was sold by RM Sotheby's for €6.72 million in 2015.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Ferrari 212 Export
- Manufacturer
- Ferrari
- Production
- 1951–1952, 27 produced
- Designer
- Touring, Giovanni Michelotti at Vignale
- Class
- Sports car
- Body style
- Berlinetta, Barchetta, Spyder
- Layout
- Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
- Engine
- 2.6 L (2562.51 cc) Colombo V12
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- Wheelbase
- 2250 mm
- Kerb weight
- 850 kg (dry, berlinetta)
- Predecessor
- Ferrari 195 S
- Successor
- Ferrari 225 S
- Top speed
- 220 km/h
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q785322CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_212_ExportCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1365384090 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1951_Monza_Ferrari_212_sn0070M.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Unknown photographer · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.