Ferrari 212 Export Touring

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 212 Export Touring chassis 0088E represents a significant chapter in Ferrari’s evolution, marking the transition from early postwar design to more refined and purposeful engineering. Ferrari began its road car production with the 166, and it was at the 1948 Mille Miglia that the first-ever Ferrari Berlinetta, chassis no. 003S, made its debut. This car featured coachwork by Allemano, a Turin-based firm, and it showcased a design that, while impressive, took a more conservative approach to the postwar aesthetic. A chance meeting between Serafino Allemano and Enzo Ferrari may have inspired this design, which eventually led to both a coupe and a spyder model. In contrast, the 1948 Turin Motor Show saw Ferrari collaborate with Touring, a legendary coachbuilder, to showcase two Ferraris. Among them, the 166 Berlinetta stood out, elevating the design from the more restrained Allemano style to something more innovative. Touring’s first effort was the closed 4-seat Berlinetta, chassis no. 005S, which became the first Ferrari Berlinetta constructed by Touring. This car proved to be an important turning point in Ferrari’s design philosophy, offering a more modern, sleek, and aerodynamic appearance compared to its predecessors. By the time Touring built chassis no. 0026M, the evolution was clear: Ferrari’s closed-body designs had become more sophisticated, with the Le Mans Berlinetta fastback becoming the hallmark of Touring’s work. This design influence would remain integral to Ferrari’s closed-body models for years to come. By the time Ferrari moved on to the 212 Export, the engine had been bored out to 212 specifications, and the design had matured into a more focused, competition-ready platform. The 212 Export Touring chassis 0088E was one of the few Ferrari vehicles to receive the revered Touring coachwork, making it a rare and coveted example of Ferrari’s history. This model, in particular, represents the first of just four such bodies mounted on the competition 212 platform, a testament to the enduring legacy of Ferrari and Touring’s collaboration.