'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco' 13 May 2022 - Live Auction - Monaco, Fairmont Hotel
The ex-Charles Renaud 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter cabriolet - Coachwork by Vignale
Chassis no. 0159E
Engine no. 0159E
• Certified matching-numbers with Ferrari Classiche Red Book and Marcel Massini Report
• Award winning, comprehensive exacting restoration performed by renowned specialist
• 2nd-in-class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, runner-up to Best of Show winner
• Exquisite coachbuilt, open-top expression of the venerable 212
Produced in multiple variations between 1951 and 1952, the 212 achieved significant racing successes but more importantly it put some 110 individual chassis in the hands of clients. The 212 was bodied in a bewildering array of styles from lightweight spiders, Coupés and Berlinettas to stylish and luxurious cabriolets. Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale contributed most of the 212's coachwork but the 212 also provided the basis for the first Ferrari by Pinin Farina and important designs by both Touring and Ghia.
Ferrari's original V12 designed by Gioacchino Colombo was only 1.5 litres, just 125cc per cylinder. Its displacement was first expanded to 1,995cc in the Ferrari 166, then to 2,341cc in the 1950. A further increase in the cylinder bore from 65mm to 68mm brought the individual cylinders to 212cc and the engine's displacement to 2,562cc. The chassis was Ferrari's proven design consisting of a double oval tube frame with double wishbones at the front suspended by a transverse leaf spring and a carefully located live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs. The brakes were Ferrari's large hydraulically actuated drums. The transmission was mounted directly behind the engine and had five forward speeds.
There were two basic – but frequently intermingled – distinctions. The Export model, intended for racing on tighter circuits, had a wheelbase of only 2,250mm. The Inter version was typically built on a longer wheelbase chassis in both racing and Gran Turismo guise. Engines were tailored to clients' needs and to the specified coachwork with different tunes and carburation. The engine's elements were refined steadily including introduction during the 212's production of cylinder heads with individual intake ports, bringing the rated power when fitted with three 36mm downdraft Weber carburetors to 170bhp. It was also during the 212's production that the model designation changed, without notice or comment, to 'EU', foreshadowing the 250 Europa that was to follow it.
