Beschreibung:

The ex-Scuderia Ferrari and Roberto Bonomi 1952 FERRARI 225 SPORT SPYDER COACHWORK BY VIGNALE Chassis No. 0160ED Engine No. 0160ED Dark red with tan leather interior Engine: V12, 2,715cc, 210bhp; Gearbox: five speed manual; Suspension: independent, double wishbone, transverse lower leaf spring front suspension, live axle, double semi-elliptical longitudinal leaf spring rear suspension; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum. Right hand drive. To this day, few vehicles entice more excitement and passion than that of Ferrari's mid-50s, big engined sports racers. Developed during a period of triumph and passion, they personify every aspect of Ferrari's road racing legend. Often designed and built with a single purpose in mind, Ferrari churned out arguably the finest cars of the day, a position maintained today in both racing and street cars. Christie's is very pleased to offer 0160ED which began life on January 10, 1952 with a special Tipo 340 Tuboscocca chassis (internal #37 A) rear axle. It featured a newly introduced 'limited slip' design and had a 9 x 42 inch, or 4.66:1 final drive ratio. Further, records indicate that this was the only such designed 225 Sport with double parallel springs fixed to the rear axle. Most likely this was a function to compensate for the Tipo 340 rear axle and the nearly 40 gallon fuel tank, the largest used in the 1950s. Very quickly, a testament to the speed at which the Ferrari factory moved, the chassis was completed on February 2nd, and two weeks later the engine was assembled by mechanics Storchi and Leopardi supervised by Foreman Franchini. Meanwhile the gearbox, noted to be a Tipo 212 Export (internal #156 E) was completed by mechanic Beltrami and fitted to 0160ED. Days later the car was returned to the Vignale body shop where work was completed and on March 2, 1952 the engine was first dyno tested. The following day the car was subjected to the factory road test and then on March 9, 0160ED was race ready and entered in the XII Tour of Sicily by Piero Taruffi and co-driver Mario Vandelli on behalf of Scuderia Ferrari wearing race number 443 which it proudly displays today. While posting the fastest overall time a blown head gasket sidelined 0160ED with a DNF. Records then indicated the car was sold by the factory to Count Bruno Sterzi of Milan who raced the car in the XIV Aosta-Gran San Bernardo Hillclimb to a result still unknown. Later wearing #78 it was raced on September 28th at the Gran Premio di Bari and then tested at Imola on October 19th by Alberto Ascari and motorcycle champion Umberto Masetti. By the end of 1952 it was sold to Mrs. Piano of Buenos Aires who in turn sold it to Roberto Bonomi also of Buenos Aires. Shortly thereafter on February 1st 1953, sporting light blue paint Bonomi placed 1st overall at the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires. This was to be the first in a number of successful outings by Bonomi with 0160ED in South America. Notable success include 3rd overall at the 1953 Premio Verano at Mar del Plata, a 4th at the 1953 Grand Prix Governardor Carlos Evans at Mendoza (driven by Adolfo Schwelm Cruz), and the 1954 Mil Kilometros de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires by Bonomi and Carlos Menditeguy. Sporting a color change to red in late 1954 it was prepared once again for the Mil Kilometros driven this time by Alcaro Piano, Miguel Schroder and Carlos Alcorta finishing 18th. From here the trail of 0160ED goes dark until 1971 when it was sold to Lucio M. Bollaert of Buenos Aires and then repainted medium blue. Then passing to Kerry Manolas of Point Piper, Australia in 1982 it was treated to a complete restoration and repainted to red. After work was completed, 0160ED began its show career including the 1984 Ferrari Concours in Carmel and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Later it was sold to noted Ferrari collector Mr. Anthony Wang of Long Island, New York who kept the car in his impressive stable until 1989 when it was sold to Mr. Len Immke of Columbus, Ohio. Mr Immk