Description
The Ferrari 212 Inter Ghia was one of the more distinctive and rare grand touring Ferraris of the early 1950s, showcasing the Turin coachbuilder’s bold design language during a formative period for the marque. Introduced in 1951, the 212 Inter was the road-going counterpart to the 212 Export competition model, built on a longer 2600 mm wheelbase chassis to provide greater comfort and refinement for long-distance touring. Ghia’s interpretation of the car gave it a unique personality, combining Ferrari’s engineering with an expressive, fashion-forward body.
Power came from the Colombo-designed 2.6-liter V12 engine, an enlarged evolution of the motor used in the 195 Inter. In road specification, it produced between 150 and 165 horsepower, depending on carburetor and compression setup. This allowed the car to reach speeds of around 190–200 km/h, more than enough for fast continental touring. The engine was paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, and the chassis featured Ferrari’s familiar tubular steel construction with independent front suspension and a live rear axle, giving the car a balance of ride comfort and agility.
Ghia’s design for the 212 Inter was distinctive and often daring compared to the more restrained styles of Touring or Stabilimenti Farina. Many featured wide, egg-crate or oval grilles, pronounced front fenders flowing into a tapering rear, and two-tone paint schemes that emphasized the car’s curves. Chrome accents were used liberally, and the proportions were often slightly more American-influenced, reflecting the postwar fascination with transatlantic styling. Some examples had subtle tailfins or decorative vents, making them stand out in a crowd of European grand tourers.
Inside, the Ghia-bodied 212 Inters combined sporting character with a higher level of luxury than Ferrari’s competition cars. Leather upholstery, finely crafted dashboards, and high-quality instrumentation gave the car a sense of exclusivity and bespoke craftsmanship. Since each car was hand-built to order, details such as trim patterns, colors, and interior layouts varied from one example to another.
Only a very small number of Ferrari 212 Inters received Ghia bodywork — likely fewer than six — making them among the rarest coachbuilt Ferraris of the era. Many were displayed at prestigious auto shows, helping Ferrari gain visibility with an elite clientele both in Europe and in the United States. These cars were typically purchased by wealthy individuals who wanted a Ferrari as much for its style and exclusivity as for its performance.
Today, the Ferrari 212 Inter Ghia is prized for its rarity, bold styling, and historical significance. It represents a moment in Ferrari’s history when the company was still working closely with a variety of Italy’s top coachbuilders, and when each car that left Maranello was a unique creation. The combination of Colombo V12 performance, long-distance touring comfort, and Ghia’s unmistakable design makes these cars a highlight of early 1950s Italian automotive art.