1950 Ferrari 166 millemiglia

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.

To pay tribute to the first great success at the 1948 Mille Miglia, Ferrari wanted to produce a car unequivocally for competition, for the sports category; so, it upgraded the 166 Sport into the 166 millemiglia (aka MM). The millemiglia, like any other 166, sat on the Gilco dedicated tubular chassis and was fitted with the 2-liter V12, in this case capable of 140 hp at 6600 rpm: the exceptional power-to-weight ratio gave the car the qualities of an excellent racing car. The 166 millemiglia ensured Ferrari's prestige more than any other previous model, scoring many of Ferrari's first international victories and establishing the company as a great manufacturer of sports cars. In 1953, an evolution was developed that brought the power to 160 hp and other improvements. It is believed that a total of 48 millemiglia cars were built in two series, both in berlinetta and barchetta versions: 35 were from the first series and 13 from the (/53) second series. Most of the first series were aluminum-bodied by Carrozzeria Touring, with the Superleggera system: 25 barchetta and 6 berlinetta. A few others were bodied by Vignale, Zagato, Campana, and an example designed by Dino Ferrari realized by Scaglietti. Most of the 166 MM/53 were bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale: 5 barchetta and 3 Berlinetta, while the remaining cars were quite special: two barchetta bodied by Ferrari and Carrozzeria Autodromo, a barchetta Touring, a very special Berlinetta Abarth, and the last: a berlinetta Pinin Farina. The Ferrari 166 millemiglia Berlinetta (Touring), also known as Berlinetta "Le Mans," was built by Ferrari in 1950 in only 6 examples. Designed for racing, although slightly heavier than the Barchetta, featured an aluminum body crafted with the Superleggera design; it was intended to perform better in high-speed races, such as Le Mans, and was aimed to ensure better comfort during long-distance races, such as the Mille Miglia. The technical layout remained the same of the other 166 millemiglias. The combination of high power and relative lightness endowed the Berlinetta with the qualities of an excellent racing car.

1950 Ferrari 166 millemiglia with chassis no. 0048/M is 1 of 5 Berlinetta manufactured by Carrozzeria Touring. This model, as per brochure, is known as “166 Berlinetta Le Mans”. This example, built in july 1950, is characterized by big headlight rings, flashlight close to the headlight rings and no horn covers, later substituted by additional headlights and at last restored with the horns. This car had an intense racing career between 1950 and 1957, mainly in Italy before 1954 and in France and Switzerland, later. It faced three editions of the Mille Miglia, in 1951, 1952 and 1953, always for the colors of the team “Scuderia della Guastalla”. Only in 1951, anyway, achieved good results, ranking 21st overall and 3rd in class, driven by Luciano Masseroni e Riccardo Vignolo. The car also boasts a history of notable owners, all Italian and swiss racing drivers. The car is nowadays restored to its pristine conditions in outstanding shape in an ultra-rare intense light blue color: just two examples of this model have been realized with this color. The finish respects the livery of the time, at the same time elegant and sporty. The interior finishes are extremely refined and ultra-light. The “Touring Superleggera” logo is the only frieze present (a couple on the hood sides and one on the rear trunk). On the rear Perspex windows, some slits allow the air to escape. The seats are lavishly finished in tan leather. The leather hood strap keeps the hood from lifting up, as once upon a time.