Ferrari 225 S

1952 Ferrari 225 S Berlinetta ‘Tuboscocca’ by Vignale

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Elkhart, Indiana | May 1-2, 2020

Photo Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Well if you’re wondering what the biggest dollar car from RM’s Elkhart Collection sale is, you’re looking at it. Selling at no reserve, this car is one of just 21 examples of the 225 S produced by Ferrari in 1952.

The 225 S could be had with two different chassis types: a spaceframe or a tubular semi-monocoque, aka the Tuboscocca. This car has the latter and is one of just four Berlinettas produced on that chassis (of 12 total Tuboscocca cars). It is the fifth of the 21 cars produced, and power is from a 210 horsepower, 2.7-liter V12.

Because the Tuboscocca was a competition-geared chassis, it’s no surprise that this car has some racing history, including:

  • 1952 Mille Miglia – 10th, 2nd in class (with Franco Bordoni-Bisleri and a Mr. Geronimo)
  • 1952 12 Hours of Casablanca – 2nd (with Jean Lucas and Jacques Peron)

There were some other successes before the car was repaired by Ferrari and sold to an SCCA privateer in Ohio through Luigi Chinetti Motors. The current owner purchased it in 2012 and has used it extensively in historic events. You can see more about the car here and see more from this sale here.

Update: Sold $2,810,000.

Ferrari 225 by Vignale

1952 Ferrari 225 Sport Spyder ‘Tuboscocca’ by Vignale

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

When production of the Ferrari 212 ended in 1951, Ferrari introduced the interim 225 model – an enlarged 212 that was produced for one year, 1952, before the Ferrari 250 was introduced in 1953. Mainly sold to privateer sportsmen, the 225 was a successful racer in many parts of the world. This particular example was bought by an Alfa Romeo dealer who split his time between Milan and Buenos Aires. The car remained in South America until 1980 when it was brought back to Italy and restored.

Since its restoration, it has been campaigned in vintage races, but in its day, it also had a few victories. It’s competition history includes:

  • 1952 Bologna-Raticosa Hill Climb (first race) – 1st (with Pietro Palmieri)
  • 1953 Argentine Sports Car Championship – 1st (with José Maria Ibañez, where it won two races and placed on the podium fives more times)

Of all of the super-rare and early Ferraris offered at RM Auctions’ Monaco sale, this is my favorite. It’s not the fastest and it’s not the rarest, but that Vignale coachwork is near-perfect. It’s well-proportioned and don’t even get me started on those portholes.

The 225 features a 210 horsepower 2.7-liter V12 and “Tuboscocca” refers to the frame layout. Just 12 Sport Spyders were produced (and seven Berlinetta coupes) – all by Vignale. There was also one non-Vignale 225S. While fairly rare, a 225 will pop up for sale every now and then. The estimate on this one is $2,380,000-$2,900,000. For the complete catalog description, click here. And for more on RM in Monaco, click here.

Update: sold $3,263,400.