Considered to be one of Pinin Farina’s most elegant design, the 1953 Ferrari 212 inter coupe by Vignale ($2,000,000-$2,400,000) was designed to be a more luxurious on-the-road version of the 166 sports coupe, the Inter. About 82 examples were built, illustrating the period’s most interesting coachwork designs.

Currently in its most beautiful state of presentation, the Ferrari 212 introduces a high waist-line that combines with a low roofline to imbue a chop-top appearance, while delicate rear tail-fins extend from muscular rear shoulder haunches to visually extend the profile of the sloped fastback tail. In addition, the car is Classiche certified with original matching-numbers engine.

Formerly owned by Robert Wilke and Pierre-Paul Jalbert, the 212 Inter had been bought and sold several times before ending up in restoration by Italian car expert and onetime Lamborghini development driver Bob Wallace. As shown above, after restoration, the interior featured a two-tone colour and swathed in period-correct Arbo Tan hides sourced through Dualoy leather in New York.

Under the bonnet, the 212 is powered by 170 bhp, V12 engine, with three Weber 36 DCF3 carburetors, five-speed manual transmission, including the front upper and lower wishbone independent suspension with shock absorbers and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

In 2013, the vehicle was restored to its original specifications and subsequently made appearance at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance followed by the 2014 Salon Prive in London. The historically important Ferrari 212 was the subject cover in two British magazines in 2014 (Auto Italia and Classic & Sports Car).

For more information about the upcoming RM’s 2018 Amelia Island sale, please visit www.rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AM18.