1948 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta

The development of the 166 MM was a watershed where body design, chassis and performance came together, establishing Ferrari's success in subsequent road and racing lines. The 166 MM was the successor to the type 166 competition car, named for Ferrari's outright win at the Mille Miglia in 1948. The sports/endurance racers had natural aspiration and were campaigned by both Ferrari works and individuals, delighting crowds with their iconic engine soundtrack. This groundbreaking design was the brainchild of Touring coachworks and was shown at the Turin Auto Show where it was dubbed the 'little boat' or Barchetta.

This Barchetta is the prototype constructed in late 1948. The first Barchetta had a full Lusso interior and even windscreen wipers, which were deleted on all subsequent Barchettas. It was first shown at the Turin Salon in September 1948 and then at the Paris Salon in October. When first shown, it was not yet completed; the exhaust system was not installed and it had not been road tested. When completed in November 1948, it included an engine from the previous model, the 1948 Spyder Corsa. Luigi Chinetti sold this Barchetta to Tommy Lee in Los Angeles. It was imported in March 1949, becoming the first Ferrari to land in the United States. It has had only three owners from new. In 1995 it was acquired by Robert Lee (unrelated) from Tommy Lee's business partner's estate. This Ferrari has graced the Robert M. Lee Collection ever since and is considered by many to be one of the most important Ferraris in the world.

The Columbo-designed 12-cylinder engine has approximately 130 horsepower and is 2 liters in displacement. The body was made by Touring Superleggera and is made of very lightweight aluminum which was skillfully formed over steel wires that define its elegant shape.

It is a very early Ferrari and one of only 30 examples created. 25 were constructed by Touring. It carries chassis number 0002M and engine number 022I.