Trio of exceptional 1950s Ferraris to star at Hampton Court Palace this September
The Concours of Elegance is delighted to announce that three of the rarest and most significant 1950s Ferrari competition cars of all time will grace this year’s event at Hampton Court Palace. These exceptional machines – two 1951 Ferrari 212 Export models and the final 1953 Ferrari 250 MM ever built – represent the very pinnacle of Italian automotive artistry from Ferrari’s formative racing years.
They will star at Europe’s leading concours d’elegance event, held at Hampton Court Palace from September 5th to 7th. The trio will join 60 of the world’s rarest and most significant motor cars in the main concours display, all drawn from leading private collections across the globe. The palace will also play host to hundreds of other classics over the course of the weekend, drawn from the country’s leading car clubs.
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Barchetta
The crown jewel of this remarkable display is chassis 0098E, an extraordinary time capsule that embodies the racing spirit of early Ferrari. The 212 Export featured a more powerful engine with three carburettors compared to the road-focused Inter model, mounted on a shorter chassis for livelier handling. Cars were bodied as both Berlinettas and Barchettas by prestigious coachbuilders including Touring, Fontana, Motto and Vignale, with Vignale producing just four examples in the distinctive Barchetta configuration.
Originally delivered to Pietro d’Acquarone – one of Italy’s wealthiest men at the time – this remarkable machine began life as a Berlinetta before being transformed by the legendary Turin coachbuilder Vignale into the stunning Barchetta that graces concours fields today.
What makes this particular 212 Export truly exceptional is its incredible provenance and preservation. One of only four Barchetta versions created by Vignale from the mere 27 Export chassis produced, 0098E retains its original engine, gearbox, suspension, and even the distinctive Similpelle beige interior fitted in the 1950s. Complete with its original owner’s manual and toolkit, this Ferrari represents an uncompromised portal into the golden age of Italian motoring.
Despite its museum-quality preservation, this is no garage queen. In recent years, 0098E has participated in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, Modena Cento Ore, and the legendary Mille Miglia, proving that authentic racing pedigree and concours elegance can coexist beautifully. Following a comprehensive restoration by Ferrari in 2016, the current owner acquired the car in 2018.
1951 Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet
Complementing the Barchetta is chassis 0106E, one of only two 212 Export Cabriolets ever completed by Vignale. This glorious machine represents an even rarer iteration of Ferrari’s competition-focused Export series, with its elegant open-topped configuration making it one of the most exclusive Ferraris ever created.
The car spent 40-years under the stewardship of renowned Ferrari enthusiast and dealer David Clarke, who acquired it as his first Ferrari in 1961. This extended custodianship ensured the preservation of the car’s unique artisanal features and details that characterize early Vignale craftsmanship.
As with most early Vignale-bodied Ferraris, 0106E features a multitude of unique details and construction elements, most of which were carefully preserved in their original state throughout its life by its collector owners.
0106E recently underwent a meticulous restoration at Motion Products, Inc. of Neenah, Wisconsin. Following extensive research into original specifications, details and finishes, the cabriolet has been returned to its factory colours and appearance for the first time in over 50 years, while maintaining the distinctive characteristics that define early Vignale coachwork.
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Spyder Series II
Completing this spectacular triumvirate is chassis 0390 MM, the 31st and final Ferrari 250 MM ever built, making it perhaps the most significant example of this legendary racing series. This extraordinary machine represents the pinnacle of Ferrari’s early 1950s competition development, featuring distinctive Vignale Spyder bodywork with three oval portholes, triangular rear fender cutaways, and the characteristic flat-cornered hood with ventilation slots.
The car’s remarkable racing pedigree began immediately upon delivery in December 1953 to American racing driver Harry O’Reilly Schell. Within weeks of leaving the Maranello factory, 0390 MM was shipped to Argentina where it was repainted in the colours of Spain – red upper sections with yellow lower panels – and adorned with “Espana-USA” script.
The 250 MM was an immediate success, securing an impressive 2nd place finish at the Buenos Aires 1000km in January 1954. The car then returned to North America for the gruelling Sebring 12 Hours, competing against the world’s finest sports racing machinery.
Throughout the 1950s, 0390 MM enjoyed an active competition career across American racetracks, from Kansas City’s Fairfax Municipal Airport to California’s March Air Force Base, consistently placing at the front of the field in Sports Car Club of America events. The car’s technical specifications included three Weber carburettors, a competition-tuned engine, and lightweight construction befitting its role as the ultimate expression of the 250 MM series.
What makes this particular 250 MM truly significant is its status as the final example of the series – the culmination of everything Ferrari had learned about sports racing car development in those crucial early years. The car has passed through the hands of dedicated enthusiasts across multiple continents, and has since competed in historic events including multiple Mille Miglias.