Return to GOODINGCO.COM
30 of 170 lots
Lot 30
1953 Ferrari 212 Europa Coupe
Estimate:
$2,000,000 - $2,500,000
Starting bid:
$1,000,000
Sold for
$1,800,000
Live Auction
Pebble Beach Auctions 2023
Description
Thomas D. Neelands Jr., Sands Point, New York (acquired new in 1953)
Sid Colberg, San Francisco, California (acquired by 1960)
Robert Taylor, Burlingame, California (acquired from the above in 1977)
Robert Lloyd, Justin, Texas (acquired by 1980)
John Ridings Lee, Dallas, Texas (acquired from the above in 1982)
Russell Head, Hillsborough, California (acquired by 1983)
Albrecht Guggisberg, Bern, Switzerland (acquired in 1986)
Paolo Gecchelin, Vicenza, Italy (acquired from the above in 1986)
Ralph Bruggmann, Gstaad, Switzerland (acquired from the above in 1995)
Edgar Schermerhorn, Delft, The Netherlands (acquired from the above in 1999)
Sydney Allen, Texas (acquired by 2012)
Current Owner (acquired from the above in 2015)

Coachwork by Vignale

Chassis: 0287 EU
Engine: 0287 EU

Salesroom Addendum
Please note that according to additional research by Marcel Massini, it was a similar Vignale-bodied 375 America, not the vehicle presented here, 0287 EU, that was photographed at Sebring in 1955 as depicted in the published catalogue.

Late-Production 212 Europa with Michelotti-Designed Vignale Coachwork
Delivered New to American Financier and Aviation Pioneer Thomas D. Neelands Jr.
Formerly Owned by Noted Collectors Including Sid Colberg and Edgar Schermerhorn
Exquisite Restoration Overseen by the Renowned Quality Cars of Vigonza, Italy
Retains Original Chassis, Body, and Engine per Factory Records
Offered with Massini Report, Restoration Records, and Tool Roll

2,563 CC SOHC 60º V-12 Engine
Three Weber 36 DCF3 Carburetors
170 BHP at 6,500 RPM
5-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Front Independent Coil-Spring Suspension
Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs

Introduced in 1951, the Ferrari 212 was the final evolution of the original Tipo 166 model and the direct replacement for the updated 195 S.

Sharing roughly the same chassis and suspension features of its predecessors, the 212 featured a 2.6-liter variation of Ferrari’s magnificent Colombo-designed V-12 engine. As a result of its larger displacement, the power output increased considerably and the 212 offered impressive performance for the period. Toward the end of production, the 212 Inter gained a new “EU” suffix – foretelling its successor, the 250 Europa. These late-production 212 Europas incorporated many important factory updates, including three Weber carburetors.

Several coachbuilders were called upon to fashion bodies for the Ferrari 212, resulting in a remarkable variety of styles tailor-made to meet the demands of a specific customer. Many of Italy’s great design houses – including Ghia, Pinin Farina, Touring, and Vignale – used the versatile chassis to showcase their unique approach to Ferrari styling.

That Carrozzeria Vignale succeeded in producing winners on the racetrack and at leading European concours is a testament to the vibrant collaboration that existed between company founder Alfredo Vignale and designer Giovanni Michelotti.

Alfredo Vignale likened himself to an artist working in metal. In an era when coachbuilders relied on skilled craftsmen, panel beaters, and wooden bucks, Vignale approached his craft as if he were a classical sculptor, responding to each commission with a singular vision.

This unique approach worked wonders for Michelotti’s incomparable designs, which were always fresh, innovative, and brimming with flamboyant details. Once Michelotti had arrived with a rendering, Vignale’s team went to work, translating his drawings into metal. Their collective efforts resulted in some of the most memorable custom-bodied Ferraris of the early 1950s.

The coachwork that Vignale fashioned for chassis 0287 EU is from a series of six similar bodies built for Ferrari’s 212 Europa chassis. Dubbed the “Geneva Coupe,” the basic design shared many similarities with the Vignale-bodied 340 Mexico Berlinettas, with their forward-thrusting front fenders, imposing eggcrate grille, low-set headlamps, swept-back roofline, and ornamental tail fins. Unlike the competition-oriented 340 Mexico Berlinettas, the road-going 212 Europa Coupes incorporated luxurious interior appointments, marvelous handcrafted details, and a distinctive bumper treatment that accentuated the dynamic character of the design. In typical Vignale practice, each of the six examples built was unique and easily distinguished by its individual livery, chassis specifications, and detailing.

Many Vignale-bodied Ferraris were painted in dramatic two-tone color schemes and 0287 EU is certainly no exception, as it was tastefully finished in red with a black top and matching accented fins on the hood and rear fenders. Completed in January 1953, the 212 Europa first appeared during the preview of the Salon de l’Automobile in Paris that March. In June, the certificate of origin was issued, and 0287 EU was sold to its first private owner, Thomas D. Neelands Jr. of New York.

Born in Chicago in 1902, Mr. Neelands went to work as a bond trader on Wall Street after studying at Yale and Princeton universities. He later established the T.D. Neelands Jr. & Co. investing firm and amassed a considerable fortune through bold capital ventures. Mr. Neelands was also quite active in early commercial aviation efforts, establishing his own company, N.R. Airways, and later serving as the chairman of both Robinson Aviation and Capital Airlines, which merged into United Airlines in 1960. A man of wealth and taste, his estate, La Presqu’ile on Long Island’s Gold Coast, contained important artworks by Pissarro and Monet. He also owned other fine automobiles, including a Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe.

During Mr. Neelands’ ownership, the exotic Vignale-bodied 212 Europa was seen in the spectator parking lot at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1955, where it was photographed with a “for sale” sign in the front windshield. By 1960, the Ferrari had been sold to Sid Colberg of San Francisco, an SCCA executive, avid car collector, amateur racer, and regular entrant in many Bay Area concours d’elegance including Pebble Beach, Hillsborough, and Palo Alto. It is believed that Mr. Colberg owned the Ferrari until 1977, when it was sold to Robert Taylor of Burlingame, California.

In the early 1980s, the Ferrari briefly relocated to Texas but returned to California’s Bay Area in 1983 when it was acquired by Russell Head of Hillsborough. During his ownership, 0287 EU was shown at the Ferrari Owners Club Concours held in Carmel during Monterey Car Week in August 1984.

In 1986, the Ferrari passed to Swiss dealer Albrecht Guggisberg who, in turn, sold it to Paolo Gecchelin of Vicenza, Italy. During his ownership, 0287 EU participated in several important European events, including two editions of the Mille Miglia Storico (1989 and 1990), the Ferrari Club Italia meetings at Imola, Italy, and the Tutte le Ferrari in Pista meet at Mugello. After passing through a Swiss owner in the late 1990s, the 212 Europa was acquired by Dutch Ferrari collector Edgar Schermerhorn in 1999. He kept 0287 EU in his stable for a decade, exhibiting it on rare occasions, until its sale to a Texas-based collector.

Since 2015, chassis 0287 EU has been part of a major US-based Ferrari collection comprised of the finest road and racing models from the 1950s and 1960s. In an effort to return this Vignale-bodied Ferrari to its original splendor, the consignor entrusted the project to Quality Cars of Vigonza, Italy, a firm internationally renowned for their high-quality, detail-oriented restorations of historic Italian cars.

Between 2016 and 2018, the 212 Europa was completely restored to the highest concours standards, with mechanical and electrical work carried out by Sport Auto Modena and upholstery by Interni Auto. The entire process is thoroughly documented in photographs and invoices contained in the car’s history file and the result speaks for itself: today, 0287 EU presents in exquisite, jewel-like condition, appropriately finished in dark red with black accents, chrome wire wheels, and dark red leather upholstery. Since its restoration was completed, the 212 Europa has not been exhibited or judged, giving its next caretaker the rare opportunity to debut a remarkable coachbuilt Ferrari on the concours circuit.

Significantly, this early 1950s Ferrari possesses a well-documented provenance and genuine character. Accompanying the car at auction is a history report compiled by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, which includes copies of the factory build sheets, as well as a copy of his definitive book, Ferrari by Vignale.

According to the factory build records, 0287 EU retains its original, matchingnumbers engine, stamped with internal no. 204.

A bold, stylish, and exceedingly rare Ferrari with a fascinating provenance, 0287 EU has been cherished by connoisseurs since it was new. Now in splendid condition following its comprehensive restoration undertaken by a leading Italian specialist, this magnificent Vignale-bodied 212 Europa is undoubtedly one of the most captivating and beautifully presented coachbuilt sports cars of its era.