Ferrari 212 Export Motto

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 212 Export Motto chassis 0074E, which was uniquely bodied by Rocco Motto, holds a significant place in Ferrari’s history as the sole 212 Export coupe to be crafted by this renowned Italian coachbuilder. Completed in 1951, this right-hand-drive Ferrari 212 Export was a one-off, making it an exceptional example of Ferrari’s dedication to both performance and custom craftsmanship. This coupe version stands out due to its distinctive styling and its association with a series of prominent racing events across Europe in the early 1950s. The car began its racing career in 1951 when it was part of Scuderia Ferrari, entering events like the Giro di Sicilia. In early April 1951, the 0074E participated in the Giro di Sicilia with Otto (Odofranco) Wild behind the wheel. Shortly after, the car was entered in the Mille Miglia, where it was driven by Elio Checcacci and Carlo Gentili. Unfortunately, it did not finish the event, but its racing journey was far from over. The Ferrari 212 Export Motto’s most notable achievements came later in 1951 during the Tour de France, one of the most prestigious motorsport events of the era. Elio Checcacci and Schell piloted the car to a 3rd overall finish, cementing its racing pedigree. This performance helped to further establish the 0074E as an iconic Ferrari in the early 1950s. In 1952, the car was acquired by Carlo Gazzabini, another prominent Italian racer. Gazzabini continued to race the 212 Export Motto in several events, including the Mille Miglia, although it did not finish that year. However, the car found success at the Giro delle Calabrie, where Gazzabini took a 3rd-place finish. The 212 Export Motto also performed admirably at the Circuito di Senigallia, finishing 8th in the S+2.0 category. Later that year, in the 10-hour race in Messina, it finished 2nd overall, another testament to the car’s speed and endurance. By 1953, the Ferrari 212 Export Motto 0074E was back at the factory and entered into the hands of the Ecurie Francorchamps racing team in Belgium. During this period, it participated in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, although it did not finish due to an engine failure. In 1954, the car found a new owner in Ilfo Minzoni, another Italian driver who continued to race the car with notable success. Minzoni participated in the Coppa della Toscana, the Mille Miglia, and the Targa Florio, where he placed 6th overall. His best result came during the Giro delle Calabrie, where he finished in 10th overall and 2nd in the Italian Competition category. The car’s racing activity in 1954 also included participation in other Italian events such as the Gran Premio Pergusa and the Firenze-Siena hillclimb, where Minzoni showed continued competitive performances. The 212 Export Motto remained an active participant in Italy’s motorsport scene, even taking part in the Salita del Castellaccio, where it placed 3rd overall. In 1955, Minzoni continued his involvement with the Ferrari 212 Export Motto, although its racing days began to wind down. By April of that year, the car was entered in the Giro di Sicilia once again, but images suggest it may have been re-bodied or heavily modified by this point. After its competitive years, the Ferrari 212 Export Motto 0074E’s trail grows less clear. There were reports of it being owned by a figure known simply as “Marx” in Brazil around 1955, but little is known about the car’s later life. The 0074E remains one of the most intriguing and unique Ferrari 212 models ever built, notable not only for its history in racing but for its one-of-a-kind bodywork by Rocco Motto, marking it as a rare gem in the Ferrari legacy.