1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa Spyder Corsa

This Ferrari 166 is significant as the first Ferrari to win a major race and the first Ferrari to arrive in the United States. After leaving Alfa Romeo in 1937, Enzo Ferrari built two race cars under the name of 'Auto Avio Costruzione' that he ran in the 1940 Mille Miglia. In 1948, his first car under his own name, the 166, was victorious in the Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia. That September, in this actual car, Luigi Chinetti won the 12 Hours of Montlhery and in November he broke the two-liter class records for the hour, 100 miles and 200 kilometers - all at over 124 mph.

Well-known sportsman Briggs Cunningham bought this first Ferrari to be raced in the United States. It was this cycle-fendered Spider Corsa bearing serial number 016-I. The 'I' suffix in the serial number signified an 'Inter' model. This means that the car qualifies for both sports car racing and Formula 2 races. It came equipped for the road with lights and fenders that could be easily removed so that it became a Formula 2 entry.

To race in the 2.0-Liter class, its engine is the 1995cc V12 with two valves per cylinder and three Weber 32DCF carburetors producing 140 horsepower at 6600 RPM.

At Bridgehampton, Cunningham's driver George Rand, set the fastest practice lap with this Ferrari and he led the race until an oil line broke. The point was noted and 016-I was considered in an elite class of brisk road racing cars in the United States.

This car scored its first US victory at the Suffolk County Airport Race in May of 1950. In June, at Bridgehampton, Sam Collier put up the fastest lap and placed second. Tragically, a crash at Watkins Glen took Collier's life. The car was all but retired from competition soon after.