1948 Ferrari 166 S

1948 is generally regarded as Ferrari’s first full racing season, marked by the debut of the 2-litre version of its V12 engine, created for a new family of models destined for both sports-car competition and Formula Two. This was the beginning of the successful and long-lasting “Tipo 166” series, which played a major role in establishing Ferrari’s early international prestige. Designed to compete in the 2-litre class, the 166 was an evolution of the 159 S, itself directly derived from the first 125. It quickly proved competitive and achieved important successes in period. The 166 family included the 166 S, the 166 MM, the road-going 166 Inter, and the 166 F2 single-seater, all sharing the same basic 2-litre Colombo V12 architecture. The chassis and suspension layout were only slightly revised from the earlier models; the tubular steel frame was a Ferrari design and was built by Gilco. The engine was the well-tested 60-degree V12 designed by Gioacchino Colombo, enlarged to 1,995.02 cc in order to reach the limit of the 2-litre class. With up to 140 hp in sports-car form, it appealed to many gentlemen drivers of the period, while its flexibility and robustness made the 166 suitable for virtually every kind of competition. As was Ferrari practice, the model name referred to the displacement of each individual cylinder. In 1953, Ferrari introduced a second series of the 166 MM, known as the 166 MM/53, intended to keep the model competitive in the 2-litre sports category. With mechanical updates and revised bodywork by several coachbuilders, this later development extended the racing life of the 166, although by then competition from increasingly advanced rivals, especially Maserati, had become stronger.

The 166 engine, directly derived from the 159, was initially mounted on some spiders named "Corsa" (aka SC) with torpedo bodies and motorcycle-type fenders. Built in about ten examples, it was used interchangeably in Formula Two (2 liters) and in the sports category with only a few modifications. Ferrari followed its huge success with a prototype for a production car called the 166 Sport: a “road-going” version of the 166 SC. Subsequently, two 166 models named "Sport" (aka S) were built: they were launched at the beginning of 1948 as a berlinetta and a spider and were both built by Allemano. The S models were less extreme than the SC, which used a mixture of gasoline, alcohol, and benzole instead of regular gasoline, but they were still winners: the spider chassis no. 001/S Spider claimed its first victory at the Giro di Sicilia, with Clemente Biondetti, in April 1948. A month later, Biondetti also won the Mille Miglia (for the third time) driving the coupé (003/S). In total, three examples were constructed in the odd chassis number range 001S – 005S, the first two having Allemano bodywork, and the final one a coupe body by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, built with the Superleggera system and fitted with the panoramic “Aerlux” roof.

This latter car was shown at the 1948 Salone di Torino and won the 1st Coppa Intereuropa in Monza the following year with Count Antonio Sterzi of Milan as driver. It is believed to be the first Ferrari with a 2+2 seating arrangement, the oldest “road-going” Ferrari in existence, and the survivor of this small series. The car is obviously fitted with the Colombo V12 engine. The original engine number was unknown, and now the car is fitted with unit no. 013S: it is the engine of the 166 Inter Touring Coupé displayed at the 1949 Geneva Motor Show.