1949 Ferrari Tipo 166 Inter by Stabilimenti Farina

The Tipo 166 was the first of a distinguished line of Ferrari road/racing cars and to Gioacchino Colombo must go the credit for the design of the 60-degree V12 engine. With its single overhead camshaft and hairpin valve springs and wet cylinder liners, Colombo’s engine design was to be adopted for a long line of successful competition and road-going sports cars.

The chassis was tubular, with independent front suspension and conservative leaf rear springs. The five-speed gearbox gave lively acceleration through the first four gear, and more relaxed overdrive motoring in the fifth gear.

Farina, Touring, Vignale and Ghia were to provide coachwork for the 166, and Berlinettas like this example were built by Stabilimenti Farina on only four cars – chassis nos. 009S, 031S, 037S and 021S (this car).

021S was delivered new in July 1949 to B. Bojiolo of Milan, an esteemed customer no doubt personally vetted by Enzo before accepting his...