www.QV500.com - Ferrari 212 Part 2: 212 Export

212 Export Vignale Berlinetta chassis 0190 ED

The Export was Ferrari’s competition 212, a vehicle openly available to wealthy enough customers and one capable of winning the worlds most prestigious endurance races. They took a variety of notable victories between 1951 and '53, thus playing an integral role in cementing Ferrari’s reputation. Like the Inter, Export chassis's were direct descendants of the tubular steel frames used for the 166. Suitably reinforced to cope with the additional stresses caused by a powerful 2.6-litre engine, the 2250mm wheelbase was 35cm shorter than the concurrent 212 Inter.

Other upgrades were also made, but Ferrari's evolutionary development process was clear to see. Incorporating the Gioacchino Colombo-designed, single overhead camshaft 60° V12 with its displacement of 2562cc, most Export's were purchased for competition use and as a result, the majority of engines were completed to a very high specification with three Weber 32 DCF carburettors and 175bhp at 6500rpm. Those customers who intended to use their cars for fast road touring, however, often chose a 150bhp at 6000rpm motor with its less complicated single Weber 36 DCF carb. Compression was increased over the Inter with an 8.0:1 ratio (compared to 7.5:1), Ferrari's identical five-speed non-synchromesh transmission being retained. Typically weighing in at around 10% less than the average 212 Inter, Export's were lively performers with a top speed of 140mph and (depending upon gear ratios) a zero to sixty time in well under seven seconds. As with most high performance GT cars of the period, customers normally purchased Export's bereft of bodywork or cockpit fixtures and fittings. Rolling chassis's were sent to one of the Italian carrozzeria's who would fabricate a body and fit an interior. Vignale was the most popular coachbuilder of the time, executing 13 Export bodies in total.