Description
Chassis: 0178ED Engine: 0178ED (Ferrari Classiche Certified) Gearbox: 0178E An aristocratic racing Ferrari from the dawn of Maranello Few early Ferraris encapsulate the romance of the company’s formative years quite like chassis 0178ED. Driven in period by Count Antonio “Bruno” Sterzi—one of Enzo Ferrari’s most important private patrons—the car enjoyed an exceptional competition career during the 1952 season, recording victories in the Coppa della Toscana, the Bolzano-Mendola Hill Climb and the Coppa InterEuropa at Monza, while also contesting the legendary Mille Miglia. Beautifully clothed by Carrozzeria Vignale to a design by the brilliant Giovanni Michelotti, 0178ED combines genuine period competition success with aristocratic ownership, Ferrari Classiche certification and eligibility for virtually every major historic motoring event in the world. Today it stands amongst the most important surviving examples of the celebrated Ferrari 225 Sport. The Ferrari 225 – Ferrari’s competition star of 1952 If one Ferrari model defined the 1952 season, it was undoubtedly the 225 Sport. Powered by Gioacchino Colombo’s enlarged 2. 7-litre V12, the new 225 represented a considerable advance over the earlier 166 series. More powerful, faster and exceptionally reliable, it also incorporated a five-speed gearbox—a highly advanced feature at a time when the vast majority of sports and competition cars still relied on four-speed transmissions. The additional ratio improved both acceleration and flexibility while allowing relaxed high-speed cruising over long distances, making the 225 equally suited to endurance road races such as the Mille Miglia and Tour de France Automobile as it was to circuit competition. The model immediately established itself as one of the outstanding sports-racing Ferraris of the early post-war era. The model enjoyed remarkable success throughout Europe. Ferrari claimed class honours in the Mille Miglia, dominated the Monaco Grand Prix support races, retired only after running strongly at Le Mans, finished second overall in the gruelling Tour de France Automobile and accumulated victories in hill climbs and circuit races across Italy. The 225 Sport proved equally capable of winning races and gracing the boulevards of Paris, Rome and Monte Carlo. Vignale and Michelotti By 1951, Carrozzeria Vignale had become Ferrari’s preferred supplier of lightweight competition coachwork. Under the inspired direction of Giovanni Michelotti, Vignale created some of the most elegant and purposeful Ferraris of the early 1950s. His flowing Berlinettas and Spiders combined competition efficiency with unmistakable Italian elegance, clothing Ferrari chassis destined both for factory-supported teams and wealthy gentleman drivers. Today these early Vignale-bodied competition Ferraris are rightly regarded amongst the most beautiful and desirable coachbuilt Ferraris ever produced. Count Sterzi and Ferrari’s aristocratic patrons During Ferrari’s formative years, Enzo Ferrari relied heavily upon a select group of wealthy enthusiasts who not only purchased his cars but also raced them with remarkable success. Among the most important were Count Antonio “Bruno” Sterzi of Milan and Prince Igor Nikolayevich Troubetzkoy, husband of Barbara Hutton. Together they founded Scuderia Inter in 1947, purchasing three of Ferrari’s earliest competition cars: Following Prince Igor’s retirement after an accident at the Circuit d’Albi, Scuderia Inter was disbanded, although the famous name lived on through Ferrari’s elegant Inter grand touring models. Count Sterzi, however, remained one of Ferrari’s most loyal customers and successful private entrants. Competition history Completed in May 1952, chassis 0178ED was delivered to Count Sterzi and immediately entered into the XIX Mille Miglia with Olympic bobsleigh competitor Angelo “Nino” Rovelli as co-driver. Although the pair failed to finish, the Ferrari returned to Maranello where the rear axle was rebuilt before embarking upon a remarkable season. On 1 June 1952 Sterzi drove 0178ED to outright victory in the Coppa della Toscana before securing class victory in the Bolzano-Mendola Hill Climb. The season reached its climax with another class victory in the Coppa InterEuropa at Monza. For Monza the Berlinetta evolved into an even more purposeful competition machine. The front and rear bumpers were removed, the distinctive Vignale side scallops were incorporated into the bodywork, an opening rear boot was added and the striking two-tone paint scheme adopted. It is in this historically important configuration that the car is presented today. Its significance was recognised immediately, with 0178ED being featured in Ferrari’s official 1952 Yearbook. In March 1954 the Ferrari passed to Florentine racing driver Siro Sbraci before being acquired approximately a year later by Guglielmo “Mimmo” Dei, proprietor of the legendary Scuderia Centro Sud. Subsequently sold to Roberto Federici of Rome, it was...
