One to Buy: 1952 Ferrari 225 Sport
The 225 Sport was Ferrari’s new-for-1952 mid-size competition model and replaced the outgoing 212 Export. It most notably featured a new longer wheelbase chassis (extended from 2250mm to 2400mm) and a Giacchino Colombo-designed V12 enlarged from 2562cc to 2715cc. In standard trim the engine ran an 8.5:1 compression ratio and three Weber 36 DCF carburettors. It developed a peak output of 210bhp (up from 170bhp).
For customers that wanted to contest the under two-litre category, Ferrari also offered the 166 Mille Miglia while those who desired the fastest possible mount could order the brutish 340 America with its 4.1-litre big block Lampredi motor.
Customers could have their 225 Sport configured with coachwork by any of the myriad carrozzeria operating within Italy at the time. However, the overwhelming majority came with bodywork by Viganle in a mixture of Berlinetta and Spyder formats.
Currently being represented by Hamann Classic Cars is this US-domiciled Vignale Berlinetta that also comes with tax free import to the European Union.
Chassis 0152 EL was numerically the first 225 Sport and made its competition debut at the 1952 Mille Miglia where it appeared as a Scuderia Ferrari-entered 166 Mille Miglia (most likely owing to the installation of an under two-litre motor for this particular event). Antonio Brivio and Piero Cassani went on to finish the 1000 mile road race in ninth overall and won their class.
Afterwards, 0152 EL was sold to Frenchman Pierre Boncompagni who raced under the pseudonym “Pagnibon”.
Boncompagni used the car in an array of events during the remainder of the 1952 season to include outings at the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours, Reims GP, Mont Ventoux Hillclimb, Tour de France and Montlhery.
Perhaps his most notable results were second place finishes at the Tour de France and Montlhery Coupe du Salon.
Today, chassis 0152 ET is offered in superb restored condition complete with Ferrari Classiche certification.
Reprinted below is Hamann Classic Cars’ description for this significant early 1950s Ferrari racer:
This 1952 Ferrari 225S Vignale Berlinetta is truly a milestone in Ferrari history. It left the factory in Maranello as the first 225S built and one of only five 225S Vignale Berlinetta produced. It was entered in the 1952 Mille Miglia as a Scuderia Ferrari factory team car finishing 1st in class and 9th over all. It was the second best Ferrari in the field with Bracco winning the race as 1st over all in the 250S Prototype.
Later in the year our car competed in the Monaco Grand Prix coming in 5th over all despite a fender bender. It was also entered in the 24 hours of Le Mans but unfortunately retired with electric problems. Later in 1952 the car was returned to the factory and the Vignale typical port holes were added to the front fenders. The car was entered in the 1952 Tour de France finishing with an impressive 2nd over all.
This 225S was campaigned successfully throughout 1953 and 1954 competing in various events usually finishing on the podium, at some occasions winning the top spot.
In 2017 the car returned 65 years after it was built to the Ferrari factory in Maranello where it received the Classiche certification. The portholes which were installed in the front fenders during the 1952 race season needed to be removed and welded shut in order to receive the Classiche certification red book. Freshly certified this car was picked at the factory to participate in the 70th anniversary celebrations where it placed 2nd in class at the Concorso d’Eleganza at the Fiorano race track.
A guaranteed entry at the most prestigious historic motorsports events including the Mille Miglia, Monaco Historic Grand Prix, Le Mans Classic as well as numerous other track and touring events.
This car has current historic German registration which allows duty and tax free import into any member state of the EU.
