Ferrari 225 S Spider Vignale

Vehicle Overview

The 1952 Ferrari 225 S Spider Vignale, chassis 0194ET, is a remarkable example of early Ferrari race cars, designed by Giovanni Michelotti and bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale. This open-top sports car was built for endurance racing, featuring a 2.7-liter Colombo V12 engine producing approximately 210 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Its lightweight body and aerodynamic design made it a competitive force in the early 1950s racing scene. Originally campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari, 0194ET made its debut at the 1952 Mille Miglia, driven by Piero Scotti and Giulio Cantini. Unfortunately, it did not finish the grueling race. Shortly after, it was sold to American racer Tom Cole, who repainted it dark blue with a white bonnet and boot lid and continued to race it extensively across Europe. The car achieved notable success under Cole’s ownership, securing fourth in class at the Targa Florio, second overall at the 9 Hours of Goodwood alongside Graham Whitehead, and second overall at the Grand Prix of Bari. Other significant finishes included a fifth-place overall result at the Daily Mail International Trophy at Boreham and strong performances in the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti and Pau Grand Prix. Following Tom Cole’s untimely death at Le Mans in 1953, the car was inherited by his brother Nigel Cole before passing through several distinguished owners, including Dan Margulies, Peter Gibson, and David Shute. It remained an important collector’s item, appearing in historic racing events such as the Mille Miglia and earning accolades at Ferrari concours competitions. Anthony Wang later acquired the car, displaying it in prestigious gatherings, including the FCA National Concours in Washington. Today, 0194ET remains a highly sought-after piece of Ferrari history, embodying the spirit of 1950s endurance racing and the exquisite craftsmanship of Vignale.