Making its debut in 1951, the Ferrari 212 Export was the direct competition replacement for the 195 S. The Colombo V-12 was enlarged to 2.6 litres, with the chassis redesigned to withstand the 150 horsepower being sent to the rear wheels. While only 27 examples were built, Carrozzeria Vignale would body just 10, with only seven leaving their workshops as a closed berlinetta. The 212 Export was not just a pretty car but also a potent racer, as the model holds victories at the Targa Florio, Carrera Panamerica, Tour de France l’Automobile, and Giro di Sicilia.

Following its final factory test drive on 9 April 1952, chassis 0190 ED was sold to its first owner, Jacques Peron in May 1952. He purchased this 212 Export to replace his other 212, which was fire damaged during the Rallye du Maroc earlier that month. The car was swiftly sold to racer Marius Heyman, who exhibited chassis 0190 ED at the Paris Concours d’Elégance on 25 June, sporting the Moroccan license plate “7470 MA 19”.

Entered into the 1952 edition of the famous Liège-Rome-Liège Rally, Heyman partnered up with Claude Leguezec, racing under the number “41”. Unfortunately, in between Rome and Bolzano, the duo struck a tree, resulting in the passing of Heyman. Later, the car was rebuilt and featured a different style grille opening, as well as sporting 225 S upgrades and was acquired by racer Joseph Ampoulie on 14 January 1955. Ampoulie raced the car on five known occasions, competing in the 1000 km of Paris (Montlhéry) and the 12 Hours of Reims, where in the latter he placed 7th overall alongside co-driver Yves Giraud-Cabantous.

Sold to Claude Barbier in April 1957, chassis 0190 ED was reported as being painted light blue later that year. Deregistered from the road in June 1958, the car is believed to have remained in storage for a number of years, where it later was subject to damage on the roof and rear body section.

Emerging in 1975 at Garage Cecchi in Chambéry, France, the car was traded to David Schute, before returning to France in 1987, where it was still reportedly in poor state and need of complete restoration. Marcel Massini reported in 1996 that while still in poor condition the engine was running, and two years later it was sold to Angelo Galeazzi in Brescia, Italy, who carried out a complete restoration from 1998 to 1999. A new body was constructed, with measurements taken from chassis 0170 ET.

Galeazzi fielded the car in the 2000 edition of the Mille Miglia, before selling the car two years later. Trading hands across England and Belgium, chassis 0190 ED returned to Italy in 2005, and was acquired by the consignor in 2017. In 2020, the owner took the decision to have the car fully restored by Ferrari Classiche. In a rigorous restoration lasting four years, almost every facet of the car was touched, with particular attention paid to the body, to best replicate the original Vignale styling. A document can be viewed on file that details the work carried out by Ferrari.

Completed in 2024, this Ferrari 212/225 S was certified by Ferrari Classiche in July 2024 and received its coveted “Red Book”, which notes that the car retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and rear axle. As one of just 27 Ferrari 212 Exports produced, and just one of three upgraded by the factory to 225 S specifications, chassis 0190 ED is an extremely rare and desirable example of an early production Ferrari. Beautifully restored by Ferrari Classiche, this wonderful Ferrari would be a perfect candidate for future editions of the Mille Miglia Storica, Le Mans Classic, Peter Auto and other major car events in Europe and North America.