Ferrari 166 MM Roadster by Vignale
Car producer :  |
Ferrari |
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Model: |
166 MM Roadster by Vignale |
Year: |
1949-1953 |
Type: |
Roadster |
The Ferrari 166 S was an evolution of Ferrari's 125 S sports race car that became a sports car for the street in the form of the 166 Inter. Only 39 Ferrari 166 S's were produced, soon followed by the production of the 166 Mille Miglia (MM) which was made in much larger numbers from 1949 to 1952. The 166 MM were in fact updated 166 S and were the cars that score many of Ferrari’s first international victories and made Ferrari a serious competitor on the racing industry. It shared its Aurelio Lampredi-designed tube frame and double wishbone/live axle suspension with the 125. Like the 125, the wheelbase was 2420 mm long. 39 examples were produced from its introduction at the Turin Motor Show in 1948 to its retirement in 1950. It was replaced by the 2.3 L 195 S in 1950. The first 166 Inter was designed by Touring's chief stylist, Carlo Anderloni. 166 S competition models were generally coach built by Carrozzeria Allemano.
The 1.5 L Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine of the 125 was changed, however, with single overhead camshafts specified and a larger 2.0 L (1995 cc/121 in³) displacement. This was achieved with both a bore and stroke increase, to 60 by 58.8 mm respectively. Output was 110 to 140hp (82 to 104 kW) at 6,000 rpm with one to three carburetors.
The earliest Ferrari 125 S examples wore coachwork that was almost monoposto in style, being slightly revised with cycle-wing fenders for the initial 166 Spider Corsas. On September 14, 1948, Ferrari used the Torino Motor Show to debut the 166 MM, a more becoming version of the 166 with new barchetta coachwork by Touring of Milan.
Motor Trend Classic named the 166 MM Barchetta as number six in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".