Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta

Each week La Ferrari brings you a featured Ferrari from around the world

This week,s Featured Ferrari is For sale by Martin Chisholm Collectors Cars Ltd

In short this fabulous example of the 166MM is one of Ferraris purest designs and has an illustrious period racing career in the hands of the great Eugenio Castellotti. It is immaculately restored throughout and is every bit as impressive to drive as to behold.

0058M will be equally at home on the historic racing and rally circuit, as holding court on the concourse lawn. With the prestigious Mille Miglia retrospective and Monaco Historic Grand Prix just around the corner this is a perfect opportunity to return this historic racing Ferrari to the greatest race circuits of the world upon which it carved its name all those years ago.
One of the most influential designs in automotive history the 166 Mille Miglia is the car that put Ferrari firmly on the map and coined the name ‘Barchetta’. One of only 26 cars built, this fabulous concourse example was the mount of Eugenio Castellotti for the 1950, 1951 and 1952 seasons. Its illustrious racing history spans Europe and America including the 1951 and 1953 Mille Miglia, the 1952 Prix de Monte-Carlo, and outright victory at both the 1952 GP Portugal and Circuit de Syracuse. Beautifully restored throughout and Ferriari Classiche certified, this is an incredibly rare opportunity to acquire a milestone Ferrari of the utmost pedigree and an enviable entry to the upcoming Mille Miglia and Monaco Historic Grand Prix.

Few cars have had such an impact and influence on the illustrious world of motorsport as the beautifully proportioned Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta by Touring of Milan. This is the model that single handedly put the iconic prancing horse on the map, and there can’t be a motoring enthusiast who is not eternally grateful for that.

In late 1946 Enzo Ferrari had completed the first of his legendary V12 engines. Working in modest surroundings with engineers Gioachino Colombo, Guiseppe Busso and eventually Aurelio Lampredi, Ferrari was quickly able to accomplish his singular vision: to develop a powerful, reliable and smooth competition motor using the V12 configuration.

In May 1947 the 1500cc Tipo 125 made its competition debut driven by Franco Cortese at a regional event held at the Piacenzo circuit. Cortese led the race until the final lap when the fuel pump failed. This 125 was raced throughout the remainder of the season with success and it became clear to Enzo Ferrari that his engine provided an excellent basis for future development. It was succeeded by the 1902 cc Tipo 156 and finally in 1948 by the 1995cc Tipo 166 (166.25cc per cylinder).

Now producing 140bhp and at the optimal capacity for the under 2-litre sports car class, the 166 raced throughout the 1948 season against stiff competition from the likes of Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Cisitalia, winning outright the two most important races of the day the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. Ferrari had created a true champion with the 166 and the single most enduring legend in motor racing history had begun.



In mid 1948 Ferrari commissioned Carrozzeria Touring of Milan to design and build the coachwork for the next series of cars for the 1949 season. While the 166 had proven to be a great success on the track Ferrari went to Touring with the hope that a beautiful design to clothe his chassis would further differentiate his fantastic cars.

Touring’s Founder Felice Bianchi Anderloni had just begun work on the project when he unexpectedly died of a heart attack. His youngest son Carlo recognized the significance that the Ferrari marque already held and a how commission from Ferrari would be critical to Touring’s future, additionally that the first coach built Ferrari would be scrutinized for years to come. The result was one of the most beautiful and influential designs of the Post-War period. It was introduced at the 1948 Turin Auto Show and was affectionately dubbed ‘the Barchetta’ (little boat) by the motoring press. Named after its similarity to the rounded speed boats that were often seen in Venice.

In honor of Biondetti’s victory in the 1948 Mille Miglia Ferrari named the 1949 Series cars the 166 Mille Miglia. Only 25 of the 166 MM Barchettas were produced but their racing achievements, both in factory and private hands, were nothing short of incredible. In 1949 they won all of the major races including the Targa Florio, Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, Spa Francorchamps, and Montlhery.

Chassis 0058M’s racing history certainly contributed to the legend that is the 166MM. Supplied originally to Braida & Co of Genoa in 1950 it was bought by the future Ferrari works driver Eugenio Castelloti. 0058M went on to be Casellotti’s mount for the 1950, ’51, and ’52 season with considerable success. Registered MI 166875 Castellotti took 6th in class at the 1951 Mille Miglia, victory and the lap record at the circuit de Syracuse, victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix, and a class win at the Ciruito di Senegallia. He also
raced in the prestigious 1952 Prix de Monte-Carlo, starting from the second row and finishing 12th overall.

In early 1953 it was driven in the Mille Miglia by Ambrogio Arosio and Italo Di Guiseppe, before being sold to Charles Rezzaghi of San Francisco California to carry on its racing career in America. Under his owner ship it was raced by Raymond and Robert Craycroft for the remainder of the 1953 and the 1954 season, taking 2nd in class at the Pebble beach road races in April 1954.

0058 M was bought by San Francisco collector Larry Taylor in 1966 and retained by him until purchased by Ed Gilbertson in 1977 and was shown at the Prestigious Pebble Beach Concourse twice, winning the Hans Tanner Trophy in 1979. He took part in the 1989 166MM Barchetta Reunion at Monterey and the Colorado Grand.

In 1998 Ed Gilbertson decided to sell the stunning little Barchetta and it was sold to Lorenzo Zambrano who embarked upon a complete restoration with Bobby Smith of Gainsville Texas. The car was shown with great success throughout his ownership, taking Best of show at the Concourso Italiano; the `Platinum` award, `Excellence Cup` and `Outstanding 166` award at the 2000 and 2007 Cavalino Classic; The Luigi Chinetti
Memorial Award at the FCA Annual Meet, and 2nd in class awards at both Pebble Beach and the 60th Anniversary Ferrari Concourse d’Elegance.

For More Information Please Contact:
 Martin Chisholm Collectors Cars Ltd
Cheltenham (United Kingdom)
Please contact: Mr. Martin Chisholm
Telephone: +44(0)1242 821600