Today’s car is a 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet. It was photographed in Malibu at the Vintage Grocers by a group of my friends and augmented by the internet. It is finished in Ferrari red with a red and saddle Interior with a black convertible top. It is powered by a 150 hp, 2.56 liters, V12 aluminum alloy block and head engine, with a single Weber 32 DCF carburetor. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with 4.25:1 final drive ratio. Slowing this beauty down are drums brakes in all 4-corners. The independent front suspension has a double wishbone with a transverse leaf spring in the rear is a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.
A total 0f 27 Ferrari 212 Export cars were made by Vignale in 1951 and 1952, and this is one of only two cabriolets that were produced. It has a published top speed of 140 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. Most of the 212’s were race cars, the two cabriolets are strictly road cars. A beautiful and rare example in fantastic condition. What a great car to take to Ferrari events, European car shows, Cars & Coffee events, or just cruising up and down the coast. Thank you for riding along. Frank
