Description
The Ferrari 212 Export Vignale was one of the most important competition-oriented Ferraris of the early 1950s, blending the company’s race-proven engineering with the distinctive and often flamboyant styling of Carrozzeria Vignale. Introduced in 1951, the 212 Export was the racing counterpart to the 212 Inter, with lighter weight, shorter wheelbase, and higher-performance specifications tailored to endurance events and road races.
At its core, the 212 Export was powered by the Colombo-designed 2.6-liter V12 engine, an enlarged version of the unit found in the earlier 195 series. With triple Weber carburetors and higher compression, the racing version produced around 170 horsepower, depending on the specific tune. Paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, the lightweight chassis allowed top speeds approaching 225 km/h, making it highly competitive in both national and international sports car racing.
The chassis itself was shorter than that of the 212 Inter, measuring 2250 mm in wheelbase, which made the car more agile and responsive on twisty circuits and mountain roads. Suspension followed Ferrari’s proven layout of independent front wishbones with a transverse leaf spring and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, while large drum brakes provided stopping power.
Vignale’s coachwork for the 212 Export was among the most striking of the period. Designer Giovanni Michelotti, working for Vignale, created bodies that were often bold and adventurous, with a mix of curves, chrome detailing, and distinctive grille treatments. Many cars featured contrasting roof colors, decorative side vents, and pronounced rear haunches, giving them a dramatic presence. As was typical for the era, each car was unique, with variations in headlight arrangements, grille shapes, and body proportions tailored to the tastes of the original customer.
The 212 Export was built for serious competition, and many of the Vignale-bodied cars were entered in prestigious events such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Carrera Panamericana. Their combination of high speed, durability, and driver-friendly handling made them popular with both privateers and works-supported teams. Notable successes included class wins and high overall placings in endurance races against strong international opposition.
Inside, the Vignale-bodied 212 Exports were functional but not entirely stripped out, as many were still driven on public roads. Lightweight bucket seats, simple dashboards, and essential instrumentation reflected the car’s competitive purpose, though some examples received more elaborate interiors if the client desired a dual-purpose grand tourer.
Production of the 212 Export was extremely limited, with only around 27 chassis built, and just a portion of these receiving Vignale bodywork. Today, these cars are treasured not only for their rarity and design but also for their direct link to Ferrari’s formative years in international motorsport. The Ferrari 212 Export Vignale stands as a vivid example of how early Ferraris combined cutting-edge racing performance with the artistry and individuality of Italy’s greatest coachbuilders.