Ferrari 212/215 Inter Spyder: stallion as a gift

This Ferrari 212/215 Inter Spyder 1952 release was built specifically for the boss Ford Motor Company Henry Ford Jr.. Once in America, she became the "muse," designers who worked on the Ford Thunderbird, - one of the most stylish models of overseas companies. Ford was lucky: get a gorgeous gift would not mind not one person on the planet! Maybe it was in deference to the Ford Model T, this Ferrari is painted in black, rather than the traditional for the Italian sports car red. 212-I usually equipped with V12 Colombo volume of 2.6 liters, but this model is set boosted 2.7-liter V12 from the Ferrari 225S. Body type Spyder is manufactured in Milan atelier Carrozzeria Touring. It consists of aluminum panels, mounted on the frame of steel tubes: a structure is called the Superleggera («super-light"). Despite advanced age, from a distance of ten steps, the car looks like new. However, her appearance is not the "American smile" too refurbished machines. It is necessary to come closer, and you can see the black areas on the body where the paint is slightly chipped and faded polish. In general we can say that it is in such a machine is left Italy for more than half a century ago to go to Ford headquarters in Dearborn, a Detroit. Thanks to the excellent engineering and perfect setting of controls, even after so many years, response vehicles are clear and predictable. With vigorous acceleration engine delivers "sound track", worthy of first place in the gasoline chart. The machine is ready to run very fast, but the driver should not lose composure as suspension (springs and shock absorbers lever type) does not tolerate mistakes. The first few years of his life Ferrari 212/215 Inter Spyder held in the department of art design company Ford, where just at the time was working on creating models of Thunderbird. Not surprisingly, in the guise of Ford's "Petrel" we can easily see some similarities with this model Ferrari. In addition to the Henry Ford Jr., a ride of honor at the Italian car had been awarded only a few company executives. In addition, driving Ferrari 212/215 Inter Spyder been a test pilot of Ford Tom Mullen. One night a secret from his superiors, he took the Ferrari out of the repair box. Mullen did not know that the car got there to repair the exhaust system and mufflers with her were dropped! In the end, when he left for the test site to make a couple of laps, the roar of the engine of this "stallion" was awakened the entire neighborhood Dearborn. Mullen says: "The next day was an irate boss and said that I was suspended from work for three days without pay. More fortunate that I was not fired! I had just retired from the Navy, and this was my first job on "citizen." At home I had a pregnant wife and two children, so that even a three-day deprivation of salary, and for testing the machines were paid weekly, it was for me very painful. But believe me, the trip was worth it! "5-2006 Glen Vaddington Photo Malcolm Griffiths