Ferrari 195 S Inter Coupe by Touring
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Car producer : |
Ferrari |
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Model: |
195 S Inter Coupe by Touring |
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Year: |
1950-1951 |
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Type: |
Coupe |
The 195 Inter is a grand tourer produced by Ferrari in 1950. Introduced at the 1950 Paris Motor Show, it was similar to the 166 Inter shown a year earlier and was aimed at the same affluent clientele. Like the last of the 166 Inters, the wheelbase was stretched by 80 mm (3.1 in) to 2,500 mm (98.4 in), but the larger 2.3 L (2341 cc/142 in³) version of the Colombo V12 was the true differentiator. Introduced in 1950, the 195 was the newest Ferrari in the continual evolution of the marque at the time, utilizing a chassis that was typically Ferrari, with two oval longerons being cross-braced by more oval tubing. The front suspension was by unequal length wishbones with an anti-roll bar and transverse springs. At the rear, semi-elliptic springs supported a solid rear axle, which was well located by upper and lower pairs of radius arms. Braking was achieved by huge 12-inch, hydraulically operated aluminum drums with steel liners. Borrani wire wheels were standard. Most Inters weighed only about 2,200 lbs. Coachwork was custom, and 27 were built in less than a year. The more-potent (but otherwise similar) Ferrari 212 Inter was introduced at the 1951 Paris show and outlived the 195.
The engine increase was accomplished by pushing the bore from 60 to 65 mm, though the 58.8 mm stroke was retained. A single Weber 36DCF carburetor was normally fitted, for a total output of 130hp (96 kW) though some used triple carbs.
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 aluminum - 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.
