Do you recognize Vignale’s magical touch?

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A Ferrari 212 Export with coupe body by Vignale is not something you see all too often. And of the supposed seven 212 coupes bodied by the Italian master craftsman, this may well be the best with its double-lined concave grille, chrome ornament running all along the bonnet, frenched rear lights and of course that lovely two-tone paint in classic blue over cream with matching interior.

It was sold new in 1951 to printing mogul Robert Wilke of Milwaukee, who was a keen racing amateur and car collector. And so this car’s life was documented from the day it was born. And not only was Wilke one to keep the records; the same went for the next owner: Dean Bangert of Illinois, who raced it at Elkhart Lake in ’57 (film footage here, Kodachrome image here). It remained in the US until the late 1990s, then found its way to Europe, to Argentina, back to the US and over to The Netherlands, from where it is offered for sale right now.

Those typical Vignale-lines make it look irresistibly cool, with relatively short wheelbase, low greenhouse leaning far towards the end with short overhang, it shares its stature perhaps with Pegasos. But hang on, does it remind you of another car as well? Yep, Vignale worked his magic on some other chassis’ too. The Cunningham C3 uses all the same characteristics. And even that is not on his own, as there’s also an OSCA with pretty similar body. All three of them are here. So, would Vignale apply his touch to every car? Well, he tried! How about a VW Beetle?

(Words editor, pictures Gallery Aaldering)

      

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