One to Buy: ex-works / Pierre Boncompagni 1952 Ferrari 225 Sport
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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 being offered in superb restored condition complete with Ferrari Classiche certification.
