Car Collector International
Classic · 1952

Ferrari 225 S

The 225 S is a 1952 works-supported sports racer — the final iteration of the Colombo V12 before the 250 family took the engine to three litres.

Car Collector International Editorial
Blue Ferrari 225 S berlinetta with a white roof photographed in a studio, front three-quarter view showing a small oval grille, faired-in headlamps, a Ferrari roundel on the door and Borrani-style wire wheels — a small Vignale-bodied competition coupé.
OverviewVariants & SpecsBuyer's GuideWhat to PayOwnershipCommon ProblemsValuationAuction ResultsInvestment OutlookRecommended Network
Overview

Why this car matters

The 225 S is a 1952 competition Ferrari and an evolution of the 212 Export; there is no production road car in the series. Bodywork was principally Vignale spyders and berlinettas, with a single Touring barchetta (0166ED) and one open-wing car with inboard headlamps and an external spare wheel (0176ED, for Antonio Stagnoli). Some cars used the Tuboscocca chassis.

Its period competition record includes Ferrari's first ever win at Monaco: at the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix for sports cars, six 225 S entered from twenty starters and took the first five places, with Vittorio Marzotto winning from Castellotti, Stagnoli/Biondetti, Lucas and 'Pagnibon'. Luigi Fagioli was fatally injured in practice for that race. The 225 S also won the 1952 Coppa d'Oro di Sicilia (Castellotti, in Touring barchetta 0166ED), the 1952 Coppa della Toscana (Sterzi/Roselli, Vignale berlinetta 0178ED), the 1952 Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti and Giro delle Calabria (Paolo Marzotto/Marino Marini, Vignale spyder 0172ET), the 1952 Portuguese Grand Prix for sports cars, and finished 2nd–3rd at the first Goodwood Nine Hours and 2nd at the 12 Hours of Casablanca (one lap behind a Talbot-Lago T26GS). On its 1952 debut at the Giro di Sicilia six were entered and four retired; the best result was fifth overall and a class win for Castellotti/Broglia in the Touring barchetta. Seven were entered at the 1952 Mille Miglia; best was tenth overall and second in class for Bordoni. At Le Mans, Vignale berlinetta 0152EL, driven by 'Pagnibon' and Tom Cole, retired with electrical failure after eleven hours. At the 1952 Targa Florio, 0194ET (Tom Cole) finished eleventh overall and fourth in class.

By 1952 Ferrari was losing interest in Touring; Vignale remained in favour but would soon be displaced by Pinin Farina and Scaglietti.

A works-supported competition car from Ferrari's first decade, with a documented period record and a place in the marque's first win at Monaco. Period race history and chassis continuity are decisive; a car without them is a different proposition altogether.

Variants

Range and production

VariantYearsProductionNotes
225 S — Vignale spyder1952—The most numerous body. Competition car. 2,715.46cc Colombo V12, bore 70 mm × stroke 58.8 mm — the final iteration of the Colombo engine before the 250 family took it to three litres. Some cars used the Tuboscocca chassis. Period wins include the 1952 Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti and Giro delle Calabria (Paolo Marzotto/Marino Marini, chassis 0172ET). VERIFY: total 225 S production of 21 across all body styles — single source, no corroboration located.
225 S — Vignale berlinetta19526Six Vignale berlinettas built. Competition car with the same 2,715.46cc Colombo V12. Chassis 0152EL, driven at Le Mans in 1952 by 'Pagnibon' and Tom Cole, retired with electrical failure after eleven hours. Chassis 0178ED (Sterzi/Roselli) won the 1952 Coppa della Toscana.
225 S — Touring barchetta19521A single Touring barchetta, chassis 0166ED. Won the 1952 Coppa d'Oro di Sicilia driven by Castellotti and took a class win at the 1952 Giro di Sicilia (Castellotti/Broglia, fifth overall).
225 S — Stagnoli one-off19521A single car (0176ED) with open-wing bodywork, inboard headlamps and an external spare wheel, built for Antonio Stagnoli.
Buyer's Guide

What to look for

Chassis identity and continuity of ownership

Works sports racers of this era transact almost entirely on chassis identity, period race record and continuity of ownership. For the 225 S specifically, confirm the exact chassis (0166ED Touring barchetta; 0152EL, 0172ET, 0178ED, 0194ET Vignale cars; 0176ED Stagnoli one-off; or one of the further Vignale spyders / berlinettas) against Ferrari Classiche and period entry lists. Establish these facts through Ferrari Classiche before any commercial discussion.

Period race record and body construction

Confirm the car's period race history against contemporary entry lists, results and period photography. Verify body construction and any converted-from-earlier-specification history against Ferrari Classiche's factory records.

Preparation, eligibility and campaigning

Event eligibility for the FIA and ACO historic-race calendar (Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival, Monaco Historique) depends on chassis identity and specification against period regulations. Preparation and event entry belong with a Ferrari Classiche-approved historic race preparer.

Insurance, transport and paddock security

Insurance, enclosed transport, paddock security and event coverage are budgeted as part of the annual campaign. Confirm the car's current storage and campaign infrastructure with the seller before purchase.

Pricing

What to pay

Chassis-by-chassis
No public result has been located. A competition car; period race history and chassis continuity determine value — Verify.

Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion

Ownership

Living with it

Typical mileage
Event-based use; road mileage not typical
Service interval
Per event and per Ferrari Classiche-approved race preparer
Annual running cost
Event- and campaign-dependent; budgeted by season with a Ferrari Classiche-approved race preparer
Fuel economy
Not applicable — competition car
Insurance
Agreed-value historic-racing policy with event coverage, secure transport and secure paddock storage. Works-supported early Ferrari sports racers are underwritten as historic-competition assets in the highest specialist tier.

Chassis identity and continuity of ownership

Works sports racers of this era transact almost entirely on chassis identity, period race record and continuity of ownership. Ferrari Classiche certification, unbroken chassis provenance and complete period documentation are the base requirements before any commercial discussion.

Race-preparer and event eligibility

Preparation, running and event entry belong with a Ferrari Classiche-approved historic race preparer with a direct relationship to the FIA / ACO historic-race calendar. Event eligibility (Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival, Monaco Historique) is defined by chassis identity and specification against period regulations.
Common Problems

Known issues by system

Valuation

Current value bands by region

Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions

No public result has been located for the 225 S. A works-supported competition car with a documented period record; period race history and chassis continuity determine value.

Auctions

Recent results

DateAuctionCarMileageResult

No recent public auction results currently meet our verification standard. We publish sale figures only from verified examples, and will update this guide as qualifying results become available.

Investment

Long-term outlook

Blue ChipHorizon: 10+ years

A works-supported competition car from Ferrari's first decade, with a documented period record and a place in the marque's first win at Monaco. Period race history and chassis continuity are decisive; a car without them is a different proposition altogether.

Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.

Recommended

The trusted network

Specialists

  • Ferrari Classiche (Maranello)
    View →
    Maranello, Italy
    Factory certification and chassis records for pre-1975 Ferrari sports racers.
  • Historic race preparer (FIA / ACO calendar)
    View →
    International
    Ferrari Classiche-approved preparation, event entry and campaign management for historic Ferrari sports racers.
  • Concours preparation studio
    View →
    International
    Concours-level detail, PPF and event preparation.

Storage

  • Windrush Car Storage
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    Cotswolds, UK
    Climate-controlled storage for high-value collector cars.
  • Autovault
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    Bicester, UK
    Secure climate-controlled storage at Bicester Heritage.
  • Hagerty Garage + Social
    View →
    USA (multiple locations)
    Climate-controlled storage in key US collector markets.

Transport

  • CARS UK
    View →
    UK & Europe
    Enclosed event and concours transport across Europe.
  • Reliable Carriers
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    USA (national)
    Enclosed coast-to-coast transport for collector cars.
  • Intercity Lines
    View →
    USA
    Enclosed transport with dedicated supercar handling.
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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.