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1949 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta
The car had been undergoing Classiche certification, but the process was not
complete at the time of the auction
By Steve Ahlgrim
Photos: Hugh Hamilton ©2010 Courtesy of RM Auctions
Details
Years produced:1948–1950
Number produced:25
Original list price: $9,000
SCM Valuation: $2,000,000–$2,750,000
Chassis #: Stamped on the left side frame
rail next to the engine
Engine #: Stamped on a flange on the
rear passenger side of block. Note:
early Ferrari engine numbers match
but are two numbers less than the
chassis number.
Club: Ferrari Club of America, PO Box
720597, Atlanta, GA 30358
Ferrari Owner’s Club, 8642 Cleta Street,
Downey, CA 90241
More: www.FerrariClubofAmerica.org
Alternatives:
1949 Cisitalia 202MM Nuvolari Spyder,
1953-55 Fiat 8V Zagato,
1947-53 Maserati A6GCS
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
Chassis number: 0024M
car configuration, with its smooth envelope body,
The Ferrari 166 MM is the definitive 1950s sports
long flowing hood and short tail. Named for the
Mille Miglia race, it was created by Carrozzeria
Touring in Milan, and compared to the 125S, from which
it was developed, the Barchetta (“little boat”) is a master-
piece of simple style.
In all, 25 Barchettas were built and the car on offer
is number 10. Its history is extremely interesting—not
to mention nail-biting at times—just like the race for
which it was named. Its survival can be attributed to
determination and luck. The story is also remarkably well
documented, and numerous period photos and documents
accompany the car.
0024M is unusual in that it combines both the “Lusso”
creature comforts and the competition package. The en-
gine, 0022M, which is original to this car, was fitted with
three Weber 32-mm DCF carburetors, instead of the street
version’s single Zenith, and “MM” pistons, which raised
the compression ratio from 8:1 to 10:1. Gauges included a
large tachometer, fuel pressure gauge, oil pressure gauge
and oil and water temperature gauges. No odometer was
fitted, as the car was intended primarily for competition.
Estimated horsepower was 140, with 0–100 mph coming
up in 27 seconds.
0024M was commissioned as the 1949 Paris Motor
Show car and finished in Argentine racing colors—two
tones of bright blue with yellow sides. The buyer of record
was the Automobile Club of Argentina, and while rumors
persist that it was intended as a gift to Eva Perón, it seems
more likely that race driver Carlos Menditeguy was hop-
ing to curry favor with the Peronistas—and avoid the
country’s ruinous import duties. The ploy didn’t work,
and the car was shipped back to Italy.
0024M was resold in Italy, and the following owner ar-
ranged to have the car re-bodied by Carrozzeria Vignale,
who fitted it with an aluminum coupe body. Following
that event, the car found its way to the U.S. In the States,
a former owner had some mechanical problems and
then removed the drivetrain and sold the rest of the car.
A Corvette 283-ci V8, gearbox and rear axle were then
fitted to the chassis and the engine found its way into a
Siata special. In 1974, Ferrari dealer and historian Stanley
Nowak bought 0024M. Nowak heroically dug away at the
car’s history, turning up photographs, correspondence,
documents and finally the remains of the Siata special—
complete with 0024M’s original engine.
A couple of new owners followed and finally a five-
year restoration commenced using Nowak’s research—as
well as a comprehensive ten-year collection of material
from another former owner. The drivetrain was reunited
with the car, and a replica spider body was built to replace
the coupe body. The restoration of 0024M was completed
in late 1989, and the car was finally returned to its origi-
nal Barchetta configuration.
Ferrari 166 MMs are among the most desirable Ferraris
1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans
Lot 42, s/n 0066M
Condition 1
Sold at $2,200,000
Gooding, Pebble Beach, CA, 8/13/08
SCM# 117583
1950 Ferrari 166 MM Le Mans
Lot 31, s/n 0060M
Condition 1-
Not sold at $1,150,000
Gooding, Pebble Beach, CA, 8/21/05
SCM# 38904
1949 Ferrari 166
Lot 303, s/n 141
Condition 4-
Not sold at $830,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/17/01
SCM# 23213
38 Sports Car Market