1949 Ferrari 166 Inter

During World War II, Enzo Ferrari was busy planning a new car. After the war, he commissioned Gioacchino Colombo to design a small-capacity V12 engine to provide the power. The result was a 1.5-liter Tipo 125 (named for its capacity of an individual cylinder - 125cc). The Ferrari 125 sport-racer made its competition debut in 1947 and by mid-season had been re-designated Tipo 159, after its engine had been enlarged to 1.9 liters. A short time later, the Tipo 166 (2.0-liter) was introduced at the Turin Show in November 1948. It offered 150 horsepower in race configuration while the road-going 'Inter' versions had a single twin-choke Weber carburetor and had 100 horsepower. It had a five-speed gearbox, twin-tube chassis, transverse leaf and double-wishbone front suspension, and a semi-elliptically sprung live rear axle located by torsional stabilizing bars. Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers were fitted at all four wheels.

The Ferrari Tipo 166 would become a dominant force in international sports car racing. In 1949, they claimed victory in three of the world's most prestigious events, including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Le Mans 24-Hour Race. The Ferrari 166 MM (named after its dominant performance at the Mille Miglia) is the only car to win all three of the legendary European sports car races, including the Targa Florio, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Mille Miglia.

Although sources differ with regard to the exact number produced, fewer than 40 examples of the Tipo 166 Inters were made. Most sources agree that around 38 Inters were built between 1948 and 1961, plus around 46 examples of the 166MM, in various body styles created by various coachbuilders. Coachwork was provided by several of Italy's foremost carrozzeria, including Vignale and Touring who were responsible for the bulk of production. Carrozzeria Touring was based in Milan and headed by Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni. Their advanced superleggera construction techniques were ideally suited to the sporting qualities of the 166 MM chassis, complimenting the performance of the Colombo-designed V-12 engine. The collaboration between Ferrari and Touring led to the 166 MM Barchetta, meaning 'little boat', which further led to the development of a 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans purpose-built competition car.

The Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans with its aerodynamic, fastback design was introduced in 1950 at the Geneva Auto Show. Its lightweight aluminum coachwork and streamlined design to designed specifically for high-speed endurance racing. Competition features included large external fuel fillers, thin Plexiglas windows, and leather-tie-down straps across the hood (bonnet). A total of six 166 MM chassis were bodied with Touring's Berlinetta Le Mans coachwork, and its accomplishments in racing laid the foundation for the company's future line of dual-purpose berlinettas.

During its competition career, the Ferrari 166 MM would claim more than eighty overall or class victories between 1948 and 1953.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019