Ferrari 166MM with chassis number 0006M is a right-hand drive vehicle with a Touring body in Barchetta Lusso configuration. It is powered by engine number 0004M and is fed air through a flat air scoop located on the vehicles long and graceful hood. The cars first owner was Giovanni Vaccari who took possession in 1948. Vaccari entered the car into the 1949 Mille Miglia where he was joined by co-driver Arnoldo Mori. The duo drove the car to Sixth in Class and Thirty-Fourth overall. It was shown at the Villa d'Este Concours in 1949 where it was awarded a very prestigious, First in Class.

In 1951 the car was sold to its second owner who raced it in the 1951 Mille Miglia but failed to finish the race. From then, the car passed through several owners until it came into the possession of Juerg Brigel during the mid-1980s. Brigel brought the car to events such as the 1989 166 MM Barchetta Reunion in Monterey, California. It was sold to its next owner during the mid-1990s. It was shown at the 1994 International Ferrari Concours in Monterey where it was awarded a Third in Class. It made a trip to the Cavallino Classic in 1995.

The car was purchased by Mr. Ross in 2006 who brought the car to the 2007 Cavallino Classic. Among very stiff competition and a show field full of history and prestigious racing victories, the 166 MM with chassis number 0006M was crowned 'Best of Show'.

While every early Ferrari blurred the lines between street use and competition - most were, in fact, outright race cars - the 166 MM was the first Ferrari offered with equipment tailored to both needs. It also was the first Ferrari with styling that identified it as a Ferrari.

The Ferrari 166 MM's all-alloy V-12 displaced 1995cc, had a compression ratio of 10:1, and was crowned by three 32 DCF Weber carburetors. Ferrari claimed 140 horsepower at 6600 RPM, plenty for a machine with a factory-quoted weight of just 1,430 lbs.

Thirty nine examples of this model were produced from its introduction at the Turin Motor Show in 1948 to its retirement in 1950. It was replaced by the 2.3 liter 195 S in 1950.

Ferrari built 25 of the 166MM Barchettas, or 'little boats,' with bodies by Touring. Racing versions of the model won the Mille Miglia, LeMans, and the Spa 24 hour race in 1949. This is the third of those 25 examples.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008