The 212 Inter and Europa series of cars were built between late 1950 and 1953, and are the most prolific of the early production cars manufactured, with the greatest variety of body styles. These even varied significantly within the examples produced by a single coachbuilder, notably those from the Vignale design studio. This series of cars carried coachwork by Fontana, Ghia, Ghia Aigle, Pinin Farina, Stablimenti Farina, Touring, Vignale and even the British firm Abbott produced a rather uninspiring cabriolet, that has long since been re-bodied in the style of a Carrozzeria Touring barchetta.

» Ferrari 212 Inter & Europa Register

The 212 Inter and Europa models were constructed on a 2600mm wheelbase chassis in the odd number road car sequence, initially with an EL suffix, and then with an EU suffix. At least that is the theory, but some examples which are obviously road cars from their design and specifications carry even chassis numbers, exemplifying the dual purpose nature of the production Ferrari of the time, but that's part of the fun of Ferrari history, often something is not quite what it might appear to be. The sister 212 Export models were the competition versions, and carried even chassis numbers on a 2250mm wheelbase chassis normally with an E or ED suffix to the number. The chassis construction principles and suspension layout were virtually identical to the preceding 166 and 195 Inter models. Up to this point the standard steering layout had been right hand drive, in the pre-war racing tradition, but approximately midway through 1952 the 212 Inter series started to become equipped with left hand drive as standard, obviously to make them more practical for road use, as this was the normal position in the majority of markets in which they were sold. 

The last Stablimenti Farina bodied car was built on a 212 Inter chassis, and this model also saw the beginnings of a long term liaison with Pinin Farina, with their first coachwork renditions on a Ferrari chassis, which were somewhat conservative when compared to the more flamboyant offerings from Vignale. In case the foregoing sounds contradictory, maybe it is a good idea to clarify the difference between Stablimenti Farina and Pinin Farina. Stablimenti Farina was established in 1910 by the three of the Farina brothers, Giovanni, Carlo and Battista (whose nickname was "Pinin"). In 1930 Battista left the family carrozzeria to establish Carrozzeria Pinin Farina, using his nickname Pinin as part of the company name. Stablimenti Farina ceased trading in 1953, whereas Pininfarina (as the company is now known), continues to have a long standing design relationship with Ferrari. 

The 212 models featured the traditional 60 degree V12 engine based on the original Colombo design, but now with a bore and stroke of 68mm x 58.8mm, to give a cubic capacity of 2562cc, coupled to a 5 speed + reverse gearbox driving through a prop shaft to a rigid rear axle. The series comprised of 79 cars in the chassis number range  0107ES to 0291EU, although chassis # 0107 ES was originally fitted with a 195 specification engine, then upgraded to a 212 unit, and the 212 Export , chassis # 0181EL, was fitted with a 195 specification engine. Thus if one classifies chassis # 0181EL as a 195 Inter there are only 78 cars in the series.

Keith Bluemel
11/2007