130 bhp, 2,341 cc dual overhead camshaft V-12 alloy engine, five-speed manual gearbox, transverse leaf spring and lower A-arm front suspension, live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and lever-action shock absorbers in the rear, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,500 mm

• Single ownership for 30 years

• Matching numbers

• One of only about 35 Ferraris ever bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia and about 28 195 Inter Coupés

The 195, much like its stable-mate the 212, is an excellent Ferrari for rallyes and driving events. In period, several 195s did very well in international competition. Giannino Marzotto, a handsome young member of Italy’s industrial aristocracy, won the Mille Miglia in 1950 thanks in part to the 195 engine in his Ferrari 166 MM.

Racing victories aside, the real purpose of the 195 Inter was to provide a suitable mount for the exquisite artistry of Ghia, Vignale, Touring and others. Its longer wheelbase and increased power output made it ideally suited to the task.

Carrozzeria Ghia is one of the most famous Italian automobile design and coachbuilding companies. Established in Turin by Giacinto Ghia as Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio in 1915, the company initially made lightweight aluminium-bodied cars, achieving fame with the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 which won the Mille Miglia in 1929. Between the world wars, Ghia designed special bodies for Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia, one of the most famous being the Fiat 508 “Balilla” Sport Coupé in 1933. During the Second World War, however, the company survived by making carts for the Italian Army and by manufacturing bicycles.

In 1943 the factory was destroyed during an Allied bombing raid. The loss of his buildings and all of the tooling and designs built up over more than a quarter-century was too much for Ghia, and on 21 February, 1944 he died from a heart attack while supervising the rebuilding of the Turin factory. Determined that the family name would continue, Santina Ghia offered what was left of her husband’s company to two of his closest associates, Giorgio Alberti and Felice Mario Boano, the latter having been chosen as a successor by Ghia before his death.

Originally finished in white, chassis 0113S was ordered with the triple Weber carburettor (type 36 DCF 3) set up and the elaborate and very stylish Jaeger instruments. The car was completed on 11 December, 1950 and delivered new to Franco Cornacchia's company WI.PU.CO., S.r.l. in Milan, Italy. In June of the following year, the Ferrari 195 was sold to the first private owner, Alfonso Scimé, son of Calogero Scimé. At the time the price paid was 2,500,000 Italian Lira!

While Alfonso Scimé owned the car, chassis 0113S was treated to front and rear body update. This was more than likely done to give the car a more modern look. From period photographic documentation of the car, it is clear that the modifications were performed prior to 1959 and so commissioned by the first owner.

After nearly 10 years in the same ownership, the beautiful 195 was sold by Scimé to Michele Vernola in Milan, Italy. He was most likely a dealer who exported the Ferrari from Italy to Los Angeles, California in 1959. At this point the car was still finished in its original colour.

Throughout the 1960s the car was owned by Lawrence A. Knaack, resident in Long Grove, Illinois. In the late 1960s, Knaack showed his 195 at a Ferrari Club of America regional meet in Illinois. At this point the 195 was finished in metallic grey and fitted with the hand crafted L-shaped front bumperettes as it appeared in 1959 . Soon thereafter Knaack sold the car to Robert W. Johnson, a resident of Palatine, Illinois. In January 1976 Mr. Johnson offered the Ferrari to its current owner with only 40,000 original kilometres.

The owner, a well-known and highly regarded racer and collector, maintained and tuned his own personal fleet of cars. This included examples from such marques as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Maserati and of course Ferrari. The Ferrari 195 Inter Coupé was disassembled at the time of purchase. Between 1976 and 1986 he worked diligently to bring 0113S back to its previously documented 1959 configuration. All the work was laboriously documented, and cassette tape recordings were made during the restoration. The level of mechanical authenticity is quite remarkable. Take for instance the date stamped on the steering box of 10 January, 1951. Small but important details like this are so often lost in time with these early Ferraris.

Today the history file that accompanies chassis 0113S includes cassette tapes, drawings, a letter of authentication from Ferrari of North America dating from 1997 and photos of all significant mechanical components. Since being completed, the car has remained in the owner’s home.

In 2011 this 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Coupé was re-commissioned and found to be mechanically sound. As one of only about 35 Ferraris ever bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia and about 28 195 Inter Coupés, 0113S represents one of the most rare remaining examples of an early coachbuilt road-going Ferrari.

This car performed very well on a recent short road test without any noticeable issues, but RM recommends a thorough professional inspection before any distance driving is attempted. Additionally, a reduced import tax of 5% may be applicable to this car. For further explanation please speak with an RM representative.