1951 Ferrari 212 Inter by Ghia - Jay Leno's Garage

[@geebs76]

As a retired powertrain engineer I worked with lots of engineers that invested years to eliminate gear whine. But I love hearing the gear whine in the classics. Coupled with the Ferrari V-12 it sounds awesome!

[@slerbahuuli]

Exactly! I've worked with rallycars in the past and that extremely loud and violent whining just makes the difference with high performance cars. Ofcourse with a GT like this Ferrari, loud whining would ultimately ruin the car and the driving experience, but little and subtle whining just makes an old automobile just a tiny bit more special.

[@nobodynoone2500]

Straight cut gears are a symphony of torque transfer!

[@terrellcowles7342]

This episode was pretty special I'd say. Its the first time Jay kinda went into depth about his parents with a guest. Great guy and a great car. Please keep that car as original as possible. It's literally art and history.

[@deankay4434]

As hired as the import tech in 82, at an independent shop with 42 years of history, had their grandchildren kids showing us with imports. The the "Offutt" Air Force base. Guys bought cars from overseas and landed as cargo. Word of mouth brought cars I have never heard of. Some had left-hand drive but rod / shafts that went to the right. Just in-case they were they want to built a right-drive. DK, ASE Master Tech since 1978, tech long before.

[@zacharyperkins3048]

Your mics/sound quality is horrible.

[@parrotraiser6541]

Understated elegance. Ghia deserve a lot of credit for the body's solidity.

[@tatianaes3354]

How do they compare to other body manufacturers of the time that also used Ferrari chassis?

[@MadChoppah]

After all those years it's STILL a great looking car! Timeless...

[@lucasrem]

mmuhhaahhaahha, Timeless ??? check the Royalties, many bigger and older Ferrari family cars !

[@MadChoppah]

@@lucasrem I’ll check the royalties mmuhhaahhaahha

[@matthiasbalke9089]

Italy switched to the right side of the road in 1953, two years after this car was made. Until then, Italian cars were right hand drive. Sweden was the last country in Continental Europe to switch to driving on the right side in 1967, not Switzerland.

[@mypugsdad5366]

You are correct it was Sweden who was the last county to switch. Now not sure this is true but I was told that even though Sweden did drive on the left they had the steering on the left on there cars before the switch.

[@JC-he7yk]

There is a famous photo of the chaos on the switch over day..

[@Hlilii]

⁠@@JC-he7ykdo you by any chance remember the name of this photo or where/how to find it

[@johanankarback6821]

@@mypugsdad5366 That is correct. We had left hand drive cars and drove on the left before 1967. I´m not sure why.

[@HammarixSwe]

​@@mypugsdad5366 Yes, fortunately thats true so we can still drive our old cars no problems.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Amazing, amazing, amazing. To think that Mr. Foster preserved this vehicle for all those years is just a sign of how much he treasured the work of Mr. Ferrari. And going to Maranello to learn from the original mechanics was more proof. Thank you for saving the 212 and keeping it so original. That is true love.

[@steventrostle1825]

Well said! Yes THANK YOU

[@kenrandall5680]

Agreed.

[@MrDDawson]

That man's father is a legend for keeping such an amazing car it it's out the factory state. True automotive royalty indeed.

[@pkuudsk9927]

Mad respect for his Dad keeping it alive and running with just regular maintenance. Sad his son has such little interest in the car, other than it his Dads old car worth millions. Love the coat hanger hook behind the drivers seat, you know that is aftermarket installed. By his dad for his work suit. No new car will be alive in 73 years or worth anything.

[@toobalicious]

Thanks to Thaddeus. What a wonderful way to preserve the memory of his late father - through sharing his wonderful Ferrari 212 with Jay and us.

[@adriennefoley2906]

What a great guest and amazing car

[@jefffrey7825]

The car was auctioned off before this episode aired.

[@mountainjeff]

@@jefffrey7825 Really? Where? What'd it get? I'm thinkin' a couple mil or more.

[@TheHkluivert]

@@mountainjeffSotheby’s says $950,000, but I am not sure if that is the starting price or the final price

[@graeme9679]

I can see why his mum didn't like it, too choppy.

[@darinclark1853]

Like I've said before, Jay's the kind of guy who will drive a multi miillion dollar vintage car on the road.... Amazing car.

[@travyboy5947]

Reminds me of my Miata. I know it's just a Miata and it'll never be worth what that Ferrari is worth but it just keeps running and keeps running and the sounds are reminiscent and it just brings me so much joy to drive

[@ldnwholesale8552]

a LOT cheaper to run and maintain and handles a lot better as well! The car an MGB wishes it was instead of a Morris Major in drag!

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

There's only a handful of cars made in the 90s and early 00s that were true drivers cars, and even less of those handful that will go down in automotive history.... and the Miata/MX-5 is absolutely at the top of that list, actually Mazda takes 2 spots on that list, the Miata and the FC RX-7 (even though I'm an FB guy), if they would've dropped an NA 13B making about 200hp into the Miata, it would've been even better than it's already infamous status.

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

There’s nothing at all wrong with Miata’s. I think they’re fantastic and fun cars. You should keep it in great shape. I see so many of them getting cut up, lowered and stanced, engine swapped, etc, Not to mention all the wrecked ones. There may not be that many clean ones in 20 years. Not to mention the government being so antagonistic to ICE cars

[@NCCoder]

For a short time, I worked at a company that restored Ferraris. During my tenure there, they had "Old lady 80," I think a similar model. There really is something special about those older cars, they really have individual personalities.

[@martentrudeau6948]

What a fantastic car, amazingly the 70 y.o. coachwork by Ghia is still gorgeous, so stylish inside and out. The 5 Speed and V12 is very Ferrari. Truly car royalty.

[@sergioleone3583]

Fantastic. I loved the smile on the owner's face when he described his father working on the cars after a day at the office. BEAUTIFUL car, too, and not all Ghia bodies for Ferrari suit my eye. This one is gorgeous. And the ultimate preservation car, it's still super clean but not restored. Love it. Perfection.

[@mythrusthelema]

Jay, Jay, Jay what the heck! That little beauty must be worth it's weight in gold... Thanks to the gentleman and his father for preserving it and to you for sharing it with us. I was gobsmacked.

[@rahulsudhir666]

You know what, surprisingly enough, they traded for below 1.2 million USD recently n as low as 600,000 a few years ago. The 212 didn't have the same race pedigree as the 250, which is why they command that premium.

[@JTA8130LV]

It sold for $960000 at RM

[@mythrusthelema]

So only worth it's weight in silver, my bad 😜

[@rahulsudhir666]

@@mythrusthelema Lol

[@Lensman864]

One of my favourite episodes. The rapport and respect is cheering and the car superb. It's often clear if Mr Leno likes a contributer and in this case it's transparent.

[@baronvontourettes]

Beautiful proportions and just the right curves. This car was way ahead of its time when it came out. It’s just a stunning masterpiece and time capsule.

[@kenrandall5680]

Wish I could agree with you. Just too plain even in that build era.

[@danielkeel9265]

Those lines, and those little chrome "fins" to cater to the rage while still keeping a real elegance in the design. Gorgeous car.

[@costafilh0]

Another point to add to the auction description: Featured in Jay Leno's Garage. Because this guy will auctioned it off in the blink of an eye! I can feel it!

[@lescobrandon3047]

I was ten years old back then. Compared the the popular fords, this car has a true personality. Love it. My father bought the neighborhood’s only Nash “Upside down bathtub”.

[@kickit59]

In 1974 when I was still 15, I bought a white Nash bathtub for $50! It had bad kingpins so a mechanic said and had a death wobble at 50mph or more! If you kept it below fifty it wasn't too bad. I only kept it long enough to save my paychecks from my dishwashing job to buy a better car! I always started though! It had that in it's favor.

[@dannycalley7777]

LB .................my uncle had a 4 door Nash and the seats folded down like a bed us kids slept in it when they came down to Fla.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The fabulous Ferrari sounds of engine and transmission! More could have been said about the Ghia-designed body. It gave elegance to the vehicle.

[@chrisleffler3145]

Truly well maintained, great owner that cared for it himself. A rare find and wonderful story.

[@01FozzyS]

Beautiful work of art.

[@vikos78]

It is a right hand drive, not for the UK market but because it was standard back then on sport cars. Driving on this side of the car allowed you to watch closely the right side of the road. Cars such as french Hotchkiss also had this configuration, even in the mid fifties.

[@bennyhannover9361]

Yes and the Lancia from 1946 to 1958 were also often Right hand drive like Aprilia Aurelia and such…

[@paul-d-mann]

Outstanding… I love it when guests show genuine interest in Jay’s opinions and his experience. A great car and a wonderful opportunity to see and hear it running. 🙏

[@johnnyboy1586]

You can tell jay is really enjoying this car and conversation Love the interior colour of the trim and dash,simply beautiful!

[@scottimusgarrett15]

What a wonderful, amazing car! I absolutely love an unrestored car, and given this car's provenance, it's originality is unbelievable! It does look like it rides like a truck, though! Thanks to Thaddeus for letting us all see it, and thanks to Jay and the crew for giving us the opportunity to experience this fabulous, rare car! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@mountainjeff]

I think he could be cut some slack for 'all original' with some new shocks. if he could find some.

[@dtroutmann]

The body is so incredible that it's the simplicity so gorgeous

[@DavidCormier-er7em]

That whole car was beautiful. But the sound of that engine that was amazing. As always thanks for bringing that to us Jay and your crew

[@joeclark7082]

Wow! Wonderful piece of automotive history. Thank you so much to the original owner

[@JohnKorvell]

Imagine going back in time and seeing Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly cruising the roads of Monaco in this. Such style!!

[@bicyclist2]

I love these old Ferrari's. This is phenomenal. I'd like to see how this compares to Jay's Talbo Lago. This is exactly why I love old cars better than any of the new cars. Thank you.

[@gurneyforpresident2836]

Wow, what a great car, what a great story. IMHO a cars story is the best part of being a car guy and the hobby. If there was a top 10 of stories to tell, this one is definitely a candidate. Thanks again Jay and God bless you too.

[@donmacquarrie9161]

Immaculately maintained! wow. what a treasure!

[@jean-jacqueskaselorganreco6879]

new shocks and it will be perfect. Wonderful, thanks Jay

[@rahulsudhir666]

What a beautiful machine. It's awesome to hear that it stayed in the same family all these years. Imagine havin a restomod type vehicle today with a 2.5 or 3 litre NA V12 n a proper manual. Top speed n 0-60/100 be damned. Just the rush of rowing through the gears in something like a SLC or one of those by Superformance but with a small V12. 🔥

[@Redmenace96]

Pure gold. Great episode. I'm speechless. Very special car.

[@mikekaatman3194]

Words can't describe this breathtaking automobile..

[@teddeman]

I sat in that car years ago in Florida. Papito told me the VP of Ferrari took him to a bank in Italy where the car was in the back lot because it had been repossessed from someone who couldn't afford it. He also said it was one of the only 3 window versions (without the rear circular window). The mileage was at 29252 when I sat in it in 2017 (he said that was it, not 129252). When I visited, Papito dared me to turn the keys on each of the cars I sat in! I sat in the '74 Bora first. He warned me to watch my head and I promptly slammed the back of my head on the roof rail. The Bora had a dash mount passport, which made me grin. Papito was such an awesome person and so nice to share his collection.

[@eoinoconnell185]

I know Jay isn't a major Ferrari fan. But he'd make way in his collection for this classic.

[@guidor.4161]

Me too...😂

[@daniellarge9784]

He likes Ferrari cars but despises the company.

[@ericbitzer5247]

Wow! That is one beautiful work of art car. Absolutely gorgeous!

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

Timeless automotive art/beauty. Reminds me of the Cistalia.

[@davidoldbikes799]

Magnificent! Stunning car and clearly loved it's entire life.

[@impslap7620]

Wow, what a gorgeous example of early Ferrari. I love the story and the fact it was left in original state. Seeing how it sold for $950k, somebody got a deal on this one at Monterey this year.

[@Klassiccycles]

I figured the son would sell dad's car. Nothing sticks around through the generations.

[@richardstoffel6585]

Wait the son sold?? And less than a mil?? I see others sell around 1.7?

[@Klassiccycles]

@@richardstoffel6585 I dis some searching and I couldn't find where it had been sold. So I'm not sure THIS car went across the block.

[@rhamson]

Fantastic car! And a 5 speed! We have become so used to the modern cars that disconnect you from the feel and sounds of sports cars from the past and their analog roots. I love these car segments. Keep them coming.

[@steveniksid5874]

Great to see an episode of JLG with a internal combustion engine!

[@aserta]

Not a Ferrari fan, especially of late, but that's a stunning looking car and a completely different beast from what the company became.

[@gary33316]

The engine sound is my white noise! I could listen to thia=s all day.

[@eddylauterback1312]

One of the best Jay's done. And you know Jay loves his Hudson. He mentions it in many videos.

[@wademiyataki9221]

Love seeing videos like these, where the story is as awesome (if not more) than the car.

[@rousemotorsport]

The exhaust sound is magnificent!

[@jackmehoff1840]

what a glorious sound emitting from the v12

[@robertyoung1777]

I truly enjoy seeing an untinkered with car like this! Thank you to both - Jay and the Thaddeus.

[@wyskass861]

I'm glad Jay is back in denim. I though there may have been something wrong by the last two episodes and fancy shirt.

[@andrewlorenzen1447]

That exhaust note! Oh my musicah!

[@gradybrowning3976]

Such a Beautiful Car!

[@fresnokidsr]

Wow what a Beautiful car. I know that I wouldn't have guessed that it was a Ferrari just by looking at it. Especially not a Ferrari by Ghia. I never heard of Ferrari by Ghia. Ithis is great I'm ending my day by learning something new. Thank you Jay for showing this car off to us. May y'all have a good one. Have fun take care

[@stevelee5724]

I put my cat down a week ago I'm spewing ! To watch this, I smiled and smiled ! Thank you J and the owners of the best Farari in the world ! The Best In The World !...

[@brianjames5685]

That may be the most beautiful car I've seen in a long time. Thanks for showing it.

[@vectrexer]

This care certainly got Jay's juices flowing. I think that Ferrari too 20 years off of Jay! Thanks for sharing Thaddeus!

[@gymshoe8862]

What a car! I think something is bound up in the front suspension--maybe the shocks are seized. The travel of the front suspension is near zero. On older cars things like that happen.

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

Yup. I noticed that. Like the kids screaming/bouncing by in their lowered Hondas. Lol

[@paulmcdonald9592]

Preservation extraordinaire. Thanks, Jay. And thanks to the owner for making it available.

[@danam0228]

That's the most beautiful ferrari I have ever seen. Such great lines. So understated

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

What an spectacular car with a amazing story. If I were the owner, I’d have a death grip in the title! Thanks for sharing this Jay!

[@waynemack6833]

I enjoyed listening to you two talk as much as this beautiful car❤️

[@bryduhbikeguy]

Just "Wow".What a beautiful car.All the right curves.Great sounds from the engine,transmission,and exhaust. A 'Symphony' of Ferrari creations.Thank you for sharing it with us.I'd never heard of these.I'd have the seats oiled,and change the shocks so it'll take me on the Pacific Coast Highway ,and beyond.Judging by what looks like the fuel tank,I'd think it would drive many hours before stopping.I would too.

[@maggs131]

Besides having an amazing car collection Jay's prestigious stature put him on the top of everyone's list to drive the snot out if _their_ million dollar cars

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

At 1:43 the rear three quarter view definitely shows the Ghia design influence that possibly inspired the Karmann Ghia that came a few years later.

[@roscoemuttley]

love love love them old Ferraris.

[@MegaRetr]

True automotive royalty indeed.

[@lindaoffenbach]

A sublime exceptional craft on wheels as they have been conceived as intended by Enzo. Well into the 1970s, Ferrari frames and bodies could be quite shockingly put together though with even internal rust already present when delivered new. This in this condition requires ultimate, almost near-impossible, love and care. Just wow! I'm genuinely wondering if all chrome parts are still original. Did the owner drop a word about re-chroming?; almost does look like it has been treated which wouldn't be a surprise in the least. The steering wheel on the right could still very plausible even be possible in Italy at the time. Especially many Italian competition cars were still made that way. Full codification for driving on the right for all of Italy wasn't completed until 1959. Stunning example worth a fortune as is but the latter is the least relevant. She's a sublime exceptional craft on wheels 💓

[@jamesellsworth9673]

His father had the wire wheels redone for safety reasons.

[@lindaoffenbach]

@@jamesellsworth9673 Oh, I see. Thank you.

[@JTA8130LV]

I would have loved to listen to a conversation between Leno and De la Vega what a Beautiful car

[@WarriorsPhoto]

That old v12 sound is what sold me.

[@IAm1InTheIAm]

Gee, my back hurts after watching this great episode, but i have a big smile on my face- thanks you guys!

[@MKULTRA1701]

Wow. I love just the shape of it. Very simple but it is just exquisite. What a beautiful automobile.

[@TwoFingerSaloute]

That sound is magical

[@hawlikd]

A timeless classic.

[@wotrulke5868]

True legends thank you for letting Jay feature this car in the channel 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🏎️

[@troystaten5633]

What a stunning car. Thanks for showing us.

[@Paul-tk2my]

Gorgeous car!- especially in black. The little touches like the Ghia badges on the door cappings give it a classy feel. The door handles help make it look modern for the time. Great patina on the leather. With Ferrari, I like the curious mixture of old and new technology

[@peekaboo1575]

What an astonishing sound.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

The changeover you saw Jay was Sweden. Early 60s and we had just got a TV. Lovely and very well loved car. Paint is better than what came on a 70s Ferrari!

[@pigeonpallz1733]

I would absolutely love to spend a day looking at your vehicles especially your motorcycles. It's cool to see how much you enjoy these things

[@pkuudsk9927]

One can see where MG got the styling for the MGB Midget. What a story of a Man who loved his car so much he had the godfather allow him to learn from the best. Simple now but in 51 that was high teck. Lots of companies copied his work. Japan bike's for sure with twin OHC multi valve. Love the history lessons from Jay about who did what first.

[@skyedog24]

That's incredible thank you for displaying this for us that is just a joy to see.❤

[@dennisfahey2379]

Jay makes the fun point. A V12 with tiny pistons with 2.6L. The Packard V12 was three times that size. I'd really like to see Jay do a walk through time of 2 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 16 cylinder evolution. Sixteens go way back but due to the costs never caught on. Detroit had the V8 battles and drove the prices down. I suppose the 32V Northstar V8 was the epitome of GM Engineering. With each additional piston pair you added more combustion per revolution. The engine worked less hard and was smoother. Of course EV's with the full 360 degrees of torque win out. Hard to believe an electric motor the size of a tall beer can can produce 450+ HP, cost less to make, weight far less, require less maintenance and last 20 times longer.

[@johnnyboy1586]

I think it was that in Italy and most of Europe cars were taxed by engine size but they still could make good power for there size and also they weren't heavy like the big American v8s so great for handling

[@reliantncc1864]

Wow. The fanboying for electric is ridiculous. 20 times longer? Neither electric motors nor real engines have been around long enough to make an insane claim like that. Cost less to make? False. Weigh far less? Also a lie when batteries are taken into account. Require less maintenance? Replace your batteries and tell me that again. No one could possibly be this stupid, so I'll just call you out as a liar instead.

[@nateisright]

Gas powered generator plus electric motor and the battery problem is solved!

[@Frank-pc2rs]

Absolutely stunning car. Timeless.

[@fredericducomet.boquier7920]

Merci mister Leno ! C'est une magnifique voiture que je ne connaissais pas .. En tant que français ( forcément chauvin 😅 ) je lui trouve quelques ressemblances avec notre Peugeot 403 cabriolet comme celle qui accompagne le lieutenant Columbo 🤩

[@bonniecavalcante9149]

Reassemble a une Peugeot 403

[@alessandroroveda2859]

C'est la Peugeot qui ressamble à cette Ferrari...pas le contraire 😉....mais c'est vrai...il y a une similarité

[@fredericducomet.boquier7920]

@@alessandroroveda2859 ça marche 👍😀

[@sandyneedham6499]

C'est vrai ca.@@bonniecavalcante9149

[@n3307v]

I love these videos of the unique, gorgeous automobiles.

[@HD2512DK]

Hey hey, many drove RH cars at that time in Italy. The trucks continued well into the 80s because they could more easily see ditches etc. when sitting in that side

[@xapaiz]

Holy cow, engine never opened after all these years, incredible reliability and proves a well maintained car can live forever (a bit of luck too)!

[@davidwood351]

I love any car that is a survivor. Can you imagine what super cool vehicles have been crunched at the junk yards through the years?

[@policeofficer94]

Aircraft door / hatch handles Jay!! Aerodynamic

[@rjkeenan8955]

It's funny when people say Ferrari only cared about fast and reliable, it so cool. When the same thing is said about Chevrolet or Ford It's a put down. There are four cars that I really like, a Ford, a Chevrolet, a Porsche, and a Ferrari. It's ok with me how they were built, how they rolled out of the factory, and how they were equipped in the day and age. There is room for improvement in every car I love, and that's ok I still love them.

[@jamesallison4875]

Totally fantastico. Enzo is looking down (or up!) feeling pleased.

[@cobra1010]

What a wonderful car and a great family story too! A real pleasure to see and hear all this!

[@rajm.5819]

Absolutely gorgeous piece of art.

[@decencywarrior9598]

Wow -that was one special childhood surronded by family and the finest automobiles ever made!

[@melvinburwell8202]

Beautiful. This is what I like Jay. Right hand drive. Gorgeous vehicle. Nice story. 👍❤️😎🤑🤑

[@horfieldboy9478]

I love these shows, I actually look forward to them. Another great interview, what a great couple of guys. Both proper petrol heads. Interesting car, wasn't sure about the styling initially but grew on me. Also think Sweden was the last European country to swap from right to left.

[@joaoportesantava1412]

That’s beautiful and it sounds amazing!