| Sports & Classics of Monterey Thursday, August 13, 2009 - Saturday, August 15, 2009 |
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| 1952 Ferrari 225S 'Sport' Berlinetta Vignale | ||||||||
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One of six competition berlinettas, from 38 years of continuous ownership 210 bhp, 2,715 cc single overhead camshaft V12 engine, triple Weber 36 DCF downdraft carburetors, five-speed gearbox, front suspension by independent double wishbones with a transverse leaf spring, rear suspension via rigid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 88.6" (2,250 mm) The lifeblood of Ferrari, particularly in the early years, was competition. It is a widely held belief that the creation of road-going versions of the competition sports cars existed almost solely to support the Commendatore’s racing effort. In many instances engineering advances developed for battle can be traced directly to the road cars (such as the pioneering, weight-balancing use of the transaxle used in the 275-series GTs). Ferrari’s competition teeth were cut along with their continuous progress of the small-displacement V12, engineered by Gioachino Colombo, the first of which was deployed in 1947 as the 125S. At 1,500 cc the power produced was considered extraordinary for its day and size, and quickly cemented Ferrari’s reputation for technical sophistication. A progression of even larger engines were developed based on this original design, with many types attaining impressive racing victories, notably the 166MM and 212 Export. A larger-displacement, more powerful version of the venerable 212 Export competition model was introduced in 1952, christened the 225 ‘Sport,’ following the long time Ferrari practice of naming their models consistent with the displacement of a single cylinder. In the case of the 225S, with its 12 cylinders, that translated to 2.7 litres overall. As a concession to the concurrently-produced, Lampredi-designed ‘big block’ Ferraris, use was made of the roller-type cam followers introduced by Lampredi. The 225S is regarded as something of an interim link between the ‘early years’ of Ferrari and the introduction of the long-lived, and legendary, 250-series of cars and the many iterations thereof. The 225S performed with distinction during its prime, with podium and notable finishes in numerous events such as the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio as well as a famed 1-2-3 achievement at the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix. 225S drivers such as Taruffi, Marzotto, Villoresi, Castelotti, and the illustrious ‘Pagnibon’ serve as a veritable who’s who of sports and GP racers of the early ‘50s. All Ferraris of the early era were coachbuilt by various Italian design houses (carrozzeria), and none were more distinctive and delicately executed than those styled by Vignale. Virtually no two Vignale-bodied Ferraris are precisely alike and the six 225S berlinettas were no exception. Enzo Ferrari and Alfredo Vignale shared a consuming passion for their work, each insisting upon final approval of even the most seemingly insignificant details. Among the individual designers working at Carrozzeria Vignale was the rising young ‘star’ stylist Giovanni Michelotti. Michelotti was to enjoy a brilliant career and is regarded today as the father of the trademark ovoid ‘egg crate’-type Ferrari grille that has signified ‘Ferrari DNA’ for years to come, including up to the present day for a number of models. RM Auctions is proud to present this iconic 225S, chassis 0168ED. As one of the six competition berlinettas built (indicated as such by the even numbered chassis, reserved by Ferrari for the racing variants) it features the aforementioned, unmistakable ovoid egg crate grille (this, in the attractive ‘convex’ formation) as well as the desirable triple oval, chrome-ringed ‘portholes’ on the front fenders as well as other eye-catching Vignale touches. 0168ED is an extraordinary example of this rare breed, with a short yet impressive competition history and documented ownership chain, culminating with its most recent keeper, who has owned the car for nearly 38 years. After a very brief stint in the hands of its first Roman owner from July 25, 1952, it was re-attained by the factory in November of that year (likely as a trade-in) and promptly sold and exported to Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York, USA. Chinetti sold the car to brothers Peter S. and Robert Yung of New York who intended to race, and race they did. 0168ED, in the capable hands of its privateer owners, debuted the car on American circuits at the second annual 12 Hours of Sebring in March 1953, remarkably finishing in 8th position overall, taking a 2nd in their class. Another significant result came in May of that year, where the car placed 4th overall at Bridgehampton. From the Yungs, it was sold to Santiago Gonzales of Cuba, whereupon he achieved a remarkable First Place in the Cuban Grand Prix Sport, held in Havana in October of 1955. From Cuba the car was sold back to an American in 1957 (Robert Andinolfi of Los Angeles), landing in California where it has remained through the present day. During the 1960s the car had another California owner, Jerry Curion. This brings us to its most recent owner, Donald R. Wasserman of San Francisco, who acquired the car in 1971 from a referral by noted Ferrariste and author Richard F. Merritt. Wasserman was known to many as a ‘larger than life’ character who was constantly ahead of the curve as an enthusiast of vintage racing machinery as well as in business – for example, he was early to see the potential of real estate investments in the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco. As an avid historic racer, motorcyclist and even winery operator (Great Bison from the California Central Coast), he was a founding board member of the CSRG, one of the oldest vintage motorsport clubs in the country. By this time, 0168ED, like so many old racing Ferraris, had been fitted with a Corvette V8 and was in need of a comprehensive restoration. Not surprisingly, Wasserman had the vision to see it through, embarking on a full restoration in 1974, which took all of five years to complete. During this process, an early Ferrari 250 GT engine was acquired. This 250 GT unit, with inside-plug heads and early, front mounted twin distributors is clearly a direct progression in Ferrari’s ongoing development of the Colombo V12s. In this configuration, the 250 GT engine is very similar in appearance and performance to the original 225S engine, making it a very appropriate substitute. A letter from Wasserman to noted Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, dated 1983, confirms that his objective was to remain period-correct. The Ferrari gearbox and differential are original type and specification. (A highly-respected Ferrari restorer was impressed upon recent inspection that he found virtually no evidence of structural modifications that remained to accommodate the Corvette engine.) NOTE: The original, ‘0168ED’ engine is installed in the 166MM Spider Scaglietti, also available at this sale, and presents a virtually unique opportunity to reunite the original engine with the 225S. Persistent attention to detail during the restoration was rewarded upon completion when the 225S achieved a First in Class award (Ferrari and GT Cars Through 1958) at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1979. Afterwards Wasserman campaigned 0168ED in vintage racing events on several occasions in the 1980s, including the Monterey Historics in 1980 and 1984, and the Mexican road race ‘La Carrera Classic’ (Ensenada – San Felipe) in 1986. The car was featured on concours lawns subsequent to its Pebble debut, notably at the Emilia-Romagna Concorso d’Eleganza, Fort Mason, San Francisco in 1987. Sadly, Mr. Wasserman passed away in December 2008, leaving behind the legacy of a true enthusiast and his long term love affair with this particular car. There are many documents that are to be included with the car, numerous photos and even the original tool roll has survived. Donald Wasserman owned other early and important Ferraris (including a 212 and a mighty 1967 312 F1) but it is telling about this car that 0168ED remained with him to the very end of a life well-lived. The Wasserman estate heirs believe that the car has seen little use during their patriarch’s later years and was found in need of some mechanical recommissioning prior to offering the car for sale. This has now been accomplished at a cost of over $30,000. The primary focus of this program was the engine. So, in recent weeks the unit has been disassembled and extensively inspected and refurbished as necessary by a Ferrari specialist, to include new pistons and main and rod bearings. After reassembly, the engine was checked and tested and is expected to provide many more long years of reliable use. (Test results will be made available upon request.) In addition, the clutch was rebuilt and the transmission and brakes inspected. The Borrani wheels have been rebuilt and shod with fresh rubber. Various cosmetic items have been addressed as well, but overall the appearance reflects precisely its modern history from its ‘70s concours restoration, followed by enthusiastic event usage in its subsequent years. Any Ferrari competition berlinetta is special. As one of only six of the alluringly bodied Vignale cars built, this wonderful and rare 225S is dripping with charisma and could be considered the ultimate example of an ‘event car,’ eminently suitable for historic circuit racing, for use on the very popular 1000-mile touring events held around the country, or, perhaps most significantly, a desirable entry for the all-time classic ‘Mille Miglia Storica.’ |
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Addendum Please note that this vehicle is titled as a 1953. |
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