Early Ferrari Trio Added to Bonhams’ Quail Lodge Auction

Bonhams is pulling out all the stops for its Silver Anniversary Quail Lodge Auction in Carmel, CA. The sale — happening August 19 — now includes three special Ferraris from the Italian company’s earliest days of building cars. The trio is comprised of a 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT coupe, 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter cabriolet and an alloy-bodied 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter coupe.

1955 Ferrari 250 GT Europa by Pinin Farina. Image: Courtesy of Bonhams.

The 1955 Ferrari Europa GT coupe — chassis 0427 GT — with coachwork by the legendary design house Pinin Farina, is the last of the model to be built. As such, it is one of just 15 late-run examples fitted with independent coil-spring suspension at the front — earlier cars using leaf springs. Upon delivery to Garage Francorchamps, the Ferrari was then shown at the 1956 Brussels Motor Show before the Europa’s new owner entered and raced it in the 1957 Grand Prix de Spa.

Today, the car has been treated to a factory-correct restoration by Brian Hoyt and Patrick Ottis, and retains its original chassis, engine, body and suspension among other major components. Chassis 0427 GT is being sold with Ferrari Classiche Certification, a history report compiled by Marcel Massini, original factory invoice and shipping paperwork from Ferrari, along with a host of photos.

1949 Ferrari 166 Inter cabriolet. Image: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Also, crossing the auction block in Carmel is chassis 033S, a 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter cabriolet with coachwork by Stabilimenti Farina. One of three bespoke examples hand-crafted in Maranello, the cabriolet was delivered new to a VIP customer of Enzo Ferrari’s — Wax & Vitale of Genoa, Italy. Decades later, this coachbuilt 166 retains its original chassis and body, having been restored to factory standards by Ferrari specialist Heinrich Kämpfer in original colors. Accompanying the car is its Ferrari Classiche Red Book, original build sheet and history file.

Rounding out this trifecta of Prancing Horse icons is a 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter alloy coupe by Ghia. This example — chassis 0145 E — is one of six with an aluminum body constructed by the Italian design house. Upon completion it was shown on the Carrozzeria Ghia stand at the 1952 Torino Motor Show. The 212 was then enjoyed by American and European owners alike over the next few decades before being purchased by the consignor in 1989 with its non-original engine.

1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Alloy coupe by Ghia. Image: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Entrusted by the seller to Carrozzeria Autosport of Modena, Italy for restoration in the early 2000s, the car was then shown at events including the Ferrari Club of America Concours. Carrozzeria Autosport then carried out a second restoration for the consignor circa 2012, finishing the car in the original Azzuro metallic color applied at the factory. During this time, the original engine was also sourced and re-fitted. Chassis 0145 E has since made appearances at the Cavallino Classic, Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Classiche Certified like the rest of the trio, this 212 Inter is offered with the accompanying Red Book, Marcel Massini history file, original Ferrari build sheets and a spare set of Borrani wire wheels.

Check out these fabulous Ferraris and the other cars crossing the block at the Quail Lodge Auction here