1949 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta

In 1949 the Ferrari factory built three new 166 MM race cars to compete in long-distance races in Europe. These Touring-designed Barchettas won the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of LeMans, and this car won the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium with Luigi Chinetti driving - and the Ferrari legend was born. In 1950, Chinetti sold the car to Jim Kimberly of Palm Beach, Florida, who raced it on the East Coast before bringing the car to California and the 1951 Pebble Beach Road Races. Kimberly placed sixth in the Del Monte Handicap race, but while running 3rd on lap 27 of the Pebble Beach Cup, Jim flipped the car. He emerged unhurt but the car was undrivable. The car was later repaired, sold to James Simpson, and raced until 1955.

- This car took 1st overall at the 24 Hours of Spa with Luigi Chinetti and Jean Lucas at the wheel
- New owner Jim Kimberly in 1950 scored three 1st, two 2nd and two 4th place finishes in seven races
- Chassis 0010 M was the first Ferrari to race and record a win in California

Drivers:
- Luigi Chinetti
- Jean Lucas
- Jim Kimberly
- Marshall Lewis

Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta with chassis number 0010M and engine number 0008M has had a brilliant racing and show-car career. It was first brought to the Mille Miglia in 1949 where it was piloted by Piero Taruffi and Serio Nicolini who were driving for the factory. The car failed to finish the race. A short time later it made an appearance at the 24 Hours of LeMans where it was driven by Jean Lucas. It was involved in an accident and failed to finish the race. A month later it was raced at the 24 Hour Spa race with Luigi Chinetti as the driver and Jean Lucas as the backup driver. It finally was able to prove its potential by finishing the race ahead of the competition. Chinetti raced the car once more before the car was sold to James Kimberly of the US. Kimberly continued the vehicle's racing career by racing it throughout the US at venues such as Elkhart Lake, Watkins Glen, Palm Springs, Bridgehampton, and more. The car was driven to many podium finishes in 1950 and 1951. It was sold to James Simpson in 1952 who had the car painted yellow. Simpson entered the car in the 12 Hours of Sebring. It was driven by James Simpson and George Colby. During the race, the car ran dry of fuel and failed to finish the race. Officially, it finished 28th.

At the conclusion of the 1952 season, the car passed through many owners, all from the US. During the 1980s it was purchased by Warren Sankey who entered the vehicle in many prestigious shows. The car was awarded a First in Class at the Hillsborough Concours in 1984, and First at the International Ferrari Concours at Monterey, CA. It was entered in the Monterey Historic Races and driven by Sankey who navigated the car to a fifth-place finish. At the 1984 Pebble Beach Concours, the car finished First in Class.

The car was sold in 1986 to George Jewett who entered the car in historic competition. It was raced in the Mille Miglia in 1986, 1987, and 1988. In 1987 the car entered in the Monterey Historic Races.

The car is now owned by Jon Shirley. Under his care, the car has continued to make public appearances. At the 2004 Meadow Brook Concours it was awarded Best Race Ferrari. It has come to the Cavallino Concours in 2006 and 2007.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011