Ferrari 166 S

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Ferrari 166 S
Manufacturer Ferrari
Production 1948 – 1950
39 produced
Predecessor Ferrari 159 S
Successor Ferrari 195 S
Class Sports car
Body style(s) Berlinetta
Spyder
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 2.0 L Colombo V12
See also the 166 Inter GT car and 166 F2 Formula 2 racing car

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. It shared its Aurelio Lampredi-designed tube frame[1] 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 coachbuilt 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 140 hp (82 to 104 kW) at 6,000 rpm with one to three carburettors.

Motor Trend Classic named the 166MM Barchetta as number six in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

Contents

[edit] Examples

Nine 166 Spyder Corsas and three 166 Sports were built. The oldest Ferrari car with an undisputed pedigree still in existence is VIN#002C, a Model 166 Spyder Corsa which was originally a 159 and is currently owned and driven by James Glickenhaus. #0052M, a 1950 166 MM Touring Barchetta was recently uncovered in a barn and was shown in public for the first time since 1959 in the August 2006 issue of Cavallino magazine.

[edit] Racing

166 racing cars won Mille Miglia in both 1948 and 1949, driven by Clemente Biondetti and Giuseppe Navone the first year and Biondetti and Ettore Salani the next. A 166 chassis with the bigger 195 engine won that race again in 1950 with drivers Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara.

The car went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in the hands of Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon) and the Targa Florio (with Clemente Biondetti and Igor Troubetzkoy) that first year, the only car in history to win all three races. A 166 also won the Spa 24 hours in 1949.

[edit] Cited in song

This vehicle was memorialized in song by Rush on their Moving Pictures album. Red Barchetta, a futuristic story of man against an oppressive society, was inspired by Richard S Foster's "A Nice Morning Drive," a short story published in November, 1973 issue of the magazine Road and Track. In the original article, the protagonist drove an MGB. A former MGB owner himself, Rush lyricist Neil Peart exercised a little artistic license in changing the hero's car from an MGB to the car of Peart's dreams, the Red Barchetta, providing the song an eminently more stylish name.

[edit] References

  • Ascerbi, Leonardo (2006). Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models. Motorbooks. ISBN 0-7603-2550-2. 
  • Buckley, Martin & Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing. ISBN 1-84038-083-7. 

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ GILCO Ferrari 166 chassis. Gilco Design. Retrieved on August 10, 2006.
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Ferrari road car timeline, 1947–1968 — next »
Type 1940s 1950s 1960s
7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sports 125 S 166 S 195 S 212 Exp 225 S 250 MM 250 Monza 250 GT Tour de France 250 GT SWB 250 GTO 250 LM
159 S 250 S 250 Export
GT 166 Inter 195 Inter 212 Inter 250 Europa 250 GT Europa 250 GT Boano 250 GT Ellena 250 GT Coupe PF 250 GT Lusso 330 GTC 365 GTC
275 GTB 275 GTB/4
Spyder/Cabriolet 250 GT 275 GTS 330 GTS 365 GTS
2+2 250 GT/E 330 GT 365 GT
America 340 America 375 America/MM 410 Superamerica 400 Superamerica 500 Superfast 365 California
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