Lot 246: 1950 Ferrari 166M

Motor Trend Classic named the 166MM Barchetta as number six in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time". The Ferrari 166 was a natural evolution of the 125 S competition car, it became Ferrari first 'sports' car for the street. It shared the Aurelio Lampredi-designed tube frame and double wishbone, live axle suspension with the 125 and Like the 125, the wheelbase was 2420 mm long. Just 39 examples were produced from its introduction at the Turin Motor Show in 1948 to its retirement in 1950. It was replaced in 1952 by the 2.3 litre 195 and 2.6 litre 212 models. The 1.5 litre Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine of the 125 was changed, with a larger displacement of 2 litres with a single overhead camshaft. This was achieved with both a bore and stroke increase, to 60mm by 58.8 mm respectively. Output was 110hp to 140 hp at 6,000 rpm with one to three carburettors. 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 Farina, Ghia and Vignale were also commissioned to clothe the 166 chassis, however the 166 S competition models were generally Allemano bodies. 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. In the hands of Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon the Ferrari 166 went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio with Clemente Biondetti and Igor Troubetzkoy. It is also the only car in history to win all three races. A 166 also won the Spa 24 hours in 1949.Delivered new in right hand drive on the 8th March 1950 to known Ferrari and Maserati agent and noted gentleman driver Inico Bernabbi from Rome, this hugely important 166 Mille Miglia Spider first featured successfully in the 1950 Targa Florio in April of that year in which Bernabbi and co-driver Pacini not only brought the car home to second overall position, but scored a hugely noteworthy first in class. Great testament indeed to the strength and performance of the model type and indeed the skill of the drivers when considering the gruelling reputation attributed to this Sicilian endurance classic. All the more noteworthy this year as the event is celebrating its centenary. Later the same month - April 1950 - 0036M went on to compete in the great other jewel in the Italian road racing crown, the Mille Miglia, with race number 715, denoting the car's early morning start time. The car was again piloted by Bernabbi and Pacini. After the Mille Miglia campaign, documentation confirms that 0036M returns to the factory in order for the front suspension to be revised in line with available modifications at the time and once again, in September 1950, Bernabbi and Pacini were competing in the car at the Circuito di Senigallia. During the course of 1953, some 3 years after the car's triumphant Targa Florio and other racing activities, the now well used coachwork on 0036M was upgraded with a Vignale Berlinetta body. Due to the separate nature and identity of the cars and their coachwork at this time, it was a usual convention for coachwork on these expensive and bespoke sports cars to be changed or upgraded, often in line with changing fashions. 0036M continued to enjoy regular use as records indicate that between mid-1953 and 1957, the car benefited from a number of service visits to the Ferrari factory for engine, suspension and other rebuild and maintenance works to be completed. It should be noted that this degree of insight into cars of this period is rare indeed and is just one of many features which underpin the enormous International importance of this particular example.By 1965 the car, in common with many of the top European sporting cars of the period, had emigrated to the West Coast of the United States where the appetite for these light weight and super powerful engineering gems was voracious.Over the next 20 years, 0036M formed part of the collection of a number of United States enthusiasts. Again, as with all of this important motor car's life, these owners are known and documented. It was in 1984 that 0036M was to return to its native Italy whereupon all relevant import duties were paid upon importation, the original invoice for such still forming part of the car's document package.In 1988 the car appeared again on the famous Mille Miglia which of course was then, as it is now, a retrospective event, celebrating the most important sports racing cars to exist in the world today, after which time the car passed into its current ownership. Shortly after entering the collection where it still resides today, the 166 MM engine was completely rebuilt to the highest standards and some ten years ago, the car was painstakingly refitted with a Millimetre perfect coachwork in original Touring Barchetta configuration by Italian super restorer Dino Cognolato. Most recently, following a further restoration to concours restoration completed in 2004, the car was shown again on display at the Museo Luigi Bonfanti in Italy.As it is to be expected with such an important car, there is significant reference to 0036 M in numerous reference materials including Auto Italiana Magazine from April 1950, which beautifully documents the car's resounding Targa Florio success. Furthermore, amongst other books and magazines, the car features in Ferrari Automobili 1947 - 1953 by Millanta - Orsini - Zagari; Ferrari at the Millie Miglia by G. Marzotto, Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta by Anderloni and Ferrari Tipo 166 by G. Roglaitti.In conclusion the event of such a resoundingly important and noteworthy early competition Ferrari coming to the market is itself significant, however when the elements combine to bring such a car as 0036M to be available for sale and when one considers its unique and watertight history, it must be considered most seriously by any International Ferrari collector. It is unlikely that a car similar to this is to be offered again and when 0036M does change hands, it is unlikely to see the light of the market for some considerable time. 0036M est certainement une des plus important Ferrari historiques sur le marche international de notre jours. Avec une histoire impeccable et unique, chaque collecteur de Ferrari doit considérer l'achat de cette 166 MM Barchetta qui est évidemment éligible pour tout a fait tous les événements historiques.