Why The English Don't Design Ferraris - 1952 212 Inter Coupe S/N 0165EL by Abbott

This car's chassis was a show car at the London Earl's Court Car Show in 52' .

In 1986, the car was rebodied as a very nice 1951 Touring Barchetta... Maybe for the best.

Does ANYBODY have any more info or pictures of this thing?

-J
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.... it was probably 'designed for the American market'.

You're obviously conveniently ignoring where and by whom the majority of Ferrari F1 cars have been designed since the late 1980's.

 

Obviously designed by the Lee brothers: Ug Lee and Home Lee. One of their early works.

 

To be honest, I don't think it's extremely ugly. Just not "Ferrari-like".

 

LOL, very good! Perhaps you are right!

It is a curious little car, I think. I'd love to see more period photos of the monster.



-J

 

The ugly quotient would drop 50% with a two-tone-highlight delete.

 

Perhaps post-war British interpretation of a flame job...

Jack

 

There was a thread dedicated to this car a couple of years ago.

There isn't a single nice line on that car, it is truly ugly. Personally, I've grown to like the car. I would love to have the original body refitted and drive it to Cavallino or any other high end concours/show. It would be a blast!


Regards,

Art S.

 

The OP said it was "rebodied", what happened to the original body? Anyone know? Was it straight removed or was it involved in a wreck or something that made it a requiremet to re-body it?

James in Denver

 

On the fence with this one- I agree that it's not the best looking automobile I've seen but I probably wouldn't erase history in favor of something better looking. Even ugly has it's place.

 

I don't even think Fabio could get a "flame-job" in the front seat of this thing...



-J

 

A tragically unsuccessful interlude, actually. Jean Todt brought it all back in-house with the '97 car, iirc. Certainly by 1998.

 

Interesting automotive oddity, for sure; as a Ferrari, unique beyond unique.

What's fun to think about are the vintage 12-cyl sounds emanating from this car, and the corresponding performance...it looks like it should have a 60 HP inline four under the hood.

Too bad it was rebodied.

 

I think it should have curb feelers and golden-Borranis.

Bling - Bling ...






-J

 

Bless their heart, the English. They do try. You have to give them a "C" for effort.

 

yeah i mean lets all remember those ugly English cars like the aston db4/5/6, jag c/d/e/mk2, tvr griffith, lotus elan/elise - LOL

 

While at least the Aston Martin DB4 was designed by Touring of Milano. LOevenL ;-)
I like english cars.
Kind regards
Wolfgang

 

Rory Byrne is South African not English

 

http://www.boc.net/pics/405d04.jpg

Not everything they produced was dire!

Bentley, Ford and several Bristols amongst others got the treatment...

 

GT40 - nuff said

 

Paul -my book suggests Abbey NOT Abbott, easy mistake

"The first chassis built by Abbey Panels of Coventry was delivered on March 16, 1963. The first "Ford GT" the GT/101 was unveiled in England on April 1 and soon after exhibited in New York.

The car was powered by the 4.2 L Fairlane engine with a Colotti transaxle, the same power plant was used by the Lola GT and the single-seater Lotus 29 that came in a highly controversial second at the Indy 500 in 1963. (A DOHC head design was used in later years at Indy. It won in 1965 in the Lotus 38.)"

Ed

 

says im not authroized to view the pic - what is it ?

 

Nick car is a Bristol 405 DHC

E

 

That is one of 2 of the ugliest Ferraris of all time: they definitely had too much fish and chips and warm beer before doing that...

 

That car does look like a "warm beer" sports car...


-J