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Help Identifying a Classic Ferrari from Family Archive

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by aizpuruaignacio, May 20, 2025.

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  1. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Full Name:
    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #1 aizpuruaignacio, May 20, 2025
    Help Identifying a Classic Ferrari from Family Archive
    Hello,
    I’m reaching out to ask for help identifying a classic Ferrari that once belonged to my grandfather.
    I have attached a vintage photo of the car, which appears to be a Ferrari V12 model from the early 1950s. We believe it might be a 166, 195, or 212 Inter, possibly coachbuilt by Ghia or Vignale.
    Key details:



    • Right-hand drive (RHD)
    • Likely produced between 1948–1953
    • V12 Colombo engine
    • Coupe/Berlinetta style
    • The badge was Ferrari



    According to family history, this car was one of four similar Ferrari vehicles that entered Argentina in the late 1940s, reportedly brought in by José Froilán González, who had close ties with Ferrari at the time.
    We would deeply appreciate any help identifying the exact model and, if possible, any historical record or chassis number related to this car.
    Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
    Best regards,

    Ignacio Aizpurua
     

    Attached Files:

  2. readplays

    readplays F1 Rookie

    Aug 22, 2008
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    #2 readplays, May 21, 2025
    Hello Ignacio,

    Thank you for the lovely period photograph.
    Your car is Vignale-bodied
    (in addition to the Vignale signature elements, there is a Vignale "V" badge down low on the front quarter panel close to the door).
    It is of the family 166/295/212 Inter.

    I do not currently have a copy of the excellent book "Ferrari by Vignale" to aid me. I'm not able to further narrow down the chassis number utilizing the web resources I have available.
    One of these gentlemen @Marcel Massini @Aardy will certainly have the answer for you if someone else does not answer first.
    Welcome to Fchat!

    Dave
     
    aizpuruaignacio and NYC Fred like this.
  3. Aardy

    Aardy F1 Veteran
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    #3 Aardy, May 21, 2025
    It’s 0038M, a 166 MM Touring barchetta rebodied by Vignale and exported to Argentina. Great pic !!!
     
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  4. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
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    #4 kare, May 21, 2025
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  5. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    #5 TTR, May 21, 2025
    Now that's interesting.
    Originally a Touring barchetta converted/rebodied (in period) by Vignale (commissioned by a privateer), then decades later Vignale body removed and replaced with a (presumably) "replica" barchetta body.
    Does the Vignale Berlinetta body still exist ?
    If yes, is it still with the car or mounted on some other chassis ?
     
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  6. dim

    dim Karting

    Nov 5, 2003
    149
    #6 dim, May 22, 2025
    When 0038M was auctioned by RM in 2013, the unpainted Vignale body shell accompanied the car.
    I have no idea what happened to this body afterwards. Picture © RM Sotheby`s
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Aardy

    Aardy F1 Veteran
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    #7 Aardy, May 22, 2025
    I would definitely put the Vignale body back on the frame and destroy that horrible replica Touring body ! :cool:
     
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  8. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    #8 TTR, May 22, 2025
    Thanks ! Hopefully it continues to accompany the car and maybe someday gets re-mounted to the chassis, since IMO, even if the car wasn’t born with it, the Vignale body is more authentic than the replica barchetta, not to mention very attractive on its own right.
     
  9. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 dm_n_stuff, May 22, 2025
    Page 66 of Marcel's wonderful book "Ferrari by Vignale" has details and period photos.

    I will not post the page here, but will ping @Marcel Massini to see if he will.

    His book, his copyrights.

    D
     
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  10. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 Marcel Massini, May 22, 2025
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  11. GIOTTO

    GIOTTO F1 Rookie
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    #11 GIOTTO, May 22, 2025
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  12. pgrootswagers

    pgrootswagers Formula Junior

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    #12 pgrootswagers, May 23, 2025 at 5:47 AM
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  13. ursoenzo

    ursoenzo Formula Junior

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    #13 ursoenzo, May 23, 2025 at 5:54 AM
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  14. Aardy

    Aardy F1 Veteran
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    #14 Aardy, May 23, 2025 at 8:37 AM
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  15. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
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    #15 kare, May 24, 2025 at 4:09 AM
    I wonder if the OP is ever coming back to tell us the name of his grand father. His photo must have been taken in the 1960s as that is a '62 Falcon Fordor Sedan lurking in the back.
     
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  16. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 dm_n_stuff, May 24, 2025 at 6:41 AM
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  17. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    #17 swift53, May 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
    Mr. Ignacio Aizpurua (Iñaki) definitely a Basque last name, is (unless mistaken) an ex-footballer from the Basque Country in the 70's

    Might the first license plate be from there? Not clear by his sentence, if the photo portrays "the car", or another.

    I cannot tell if it is an Argentinean / Spanish plate.

    Regards, Alberto
     
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  18. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #18 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 6:49 PM
    Thanks i cant belive that kind of info.
     
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  19. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    #19 swift53, May 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
    I'll take it! I have a huge trash bin....
     
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  20. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #20 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 6:58 PM
    hi alberto, its Argentina my family migrate to this beautiful country in the 1900's. my grandfather bougth this ferrari we he was young. we come from a long line of farmers. and this was he´s rebel act at the time. he sold his new Ford f100 v8 and bought a used ferrari. When i translate all your mesages to him.
    his eyes fill with tears. He had to sell her because his family pressured him to do so. he is 90 years old now. Thanks
     
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  21. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #21 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
    im back dont worry.
    I have 2 children and a family business to run. dont have much time.
    I appreciate all your knowledge, information and most importantly the time you dedicate to us. I do this for him.
     
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  22. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #22 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
    My grandfather's Name is Leonardo Hugo Aizpurua. Again thanks and sorry.
     
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  23. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #23 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 7:07 PM
    I cant belive this!!!!!! Thanks Thanks Thanks im in tears.
     
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  24. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #24 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 7:09 PM
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  25. aizpuruaignacio

    aizpuruaignacio Rookie

    May 20, 2025
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    Ignacio Aizpurua
    #25 aizpuruaignacio, May 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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