Ferrari Inter

Ferrari 166 Spyder
Ferrari 166
Manufacturer:	Ferrari
Class:	front-engined sports car
Production:	1948 — 1950 39 produced
Predecessor:	Ferrari 125
Successor:	Ferrari 195 Ferrari 212
Body styles:	Coupe Barchetta Spyder
Engines:	2.0 L Colombo V12

The Ferrari 166 was an evolution of the 125 S race car that became a sports car for the street. It shared its Aurelio Lampredi-designed tube frame and double wishbone/live axle suspension with the 125. Like the 125, the wheelbase was 2420 mm long. 39 examples were produced from its introduction at the Turin Motor Show in 1948 to its retirement in 1950. It was replaced by the 2.3 L 195 and 2.6 L 212 for 1952.

As was typical at the time, a bare chassis was delivered to the coachbuilder of the customer's choice. Many used Carrozzeria Touring, who produced a somewhat-standard barchetta and coupe, but Stabilimenti Farina, Ghia and Vignale also dressed 166s. 166 S competition models generally used Carrozzeria Allemano.

The 1.5 L Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine of the 125 was changed, however, with single overhead camshafts specified and a larger 2.0 L (1995 cc/121 in³) displacement. This was achieved with both a bore and stroke increase, to 60 by 58.8 mm respectively. Output was 110 to 140 hp (82 to 104 kW) at 6,000 rpm with one to three carburettors.

The oldest Ferrari car still in existence is VIN#002C, a Model 166 Spyder Corsa owned and driven by James Glickenhaus.

Motor Trend Classic named the 166MM Barchetta as number six in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

Racing

166 racing cars won Mille Miglia in both 1948 and 1949, driven by Clemente Biondetti and Giuseppe Navone the first year and Biondetti and Ettore Salani the next. A 166 chassis with the bigger 195 engine won that race again in 1950 with drivers Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara.

The car went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in the hands of Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon) and the Targa Florio (with Clemente Biondetti and Igor Troubetzkoy) that first year, the only car in history to win all three races. A 166 also won the Spa 24 hours in 1949.