Most of Ferrari's earliest sports racers were clothed with straightforward and lightweight 'Spider' or 'Barchetta' bodies. This changed during the early 1950s, when the likes of Touring, Pinin Farina and Vignale started to produce 'Berlinetta' bodies in larger numbers. Among them was the 225 S Vignale Berlinetta of which six were produced during the 1952 season. Underneath the elegant Vignale coachwork, the 225 S featured the latest, 2.7-litre version of the familiar Colombo V12 engine, which some chassis boasted a more elaborate tubular structure to improve rigidity. All six cars were sold to privateer racers, who campaigned them with considerable success around Europe, and many were later sold to the United States. Over the last couple of years, we have managed to capture five of these, as the sixth is still under restoration. Detailed histories of all six can be found in our comprehensive article, illustrated by a 54-shot gallery.
Of a slightly later vintage is the unique 250 GT Boano Cabriolet. Shown at the 1956 Geneva Motor Show, it shared the underpinnings with what would later become known as the Boano Coupe, but boasted an altogether more flamboyant design. With extensive use of chrome and prominent fins on the rear fenders, it was clearly aimed to appeal to American customers. Only one was built and following a final contemporary appearance at the New York Auto Show, it was acquired by Robert M. Lee, who still owns it today. Like most of the cars in his impressive collection, the one-off Boano Cabriolet is regularly shown at major events across the United States.
This week, legendary sports car racing pioneer and journalist Denise McCluggage sadly passed away at the age of 88. She excelled in what was and to an extent still is a man's world and especially her contributions as a journalist virtually unrivalled. In 1967, she famously raced the first Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Nart Spyder at Sebring.

Enjoy the links:

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Cabriolet - Images, Specifications and Information

1952 Ferrari 225 S Vignale Berlinetta - Images, Specifications and Information