Description

The Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé by Farina is one of the earliest and most significant road-going Ferraris, embodying the transition from pure racing machines to elegant gran turismos. Produced in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the 166 Inter was Ferrari’s first proper road car, and those bodied by Stabilimenti Farina (the predecessor of Pininfarina) were among the most refined and visually sophisticated of the series.

Mechanically, the 166 Inter was based on the successful 166 Sport and 166 MM racing models. It featured the Colombo-designed 2.0-liter V12 engine, a jewel-like unit that produced between 90 and 110 horsepower depending on specification. The engine was compact, light, and capable of revving freely, making it ideal not only for racing but also for spirited touring. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and set within a tubular steel chassis, the car offered a balance of performance, handling, and reliability that few competitors of the time could match.

Farina’s interpretation of the coupé bodywork was both elegant and restrained. These early Ferraris exhibited clean, flowing lines and classical proportions. The long hood and short rear deck gave the car a purposeful stance, while details such as the gently curving front fenders, split front grille, and rounded tail contributed to its grace. Each Farina-bodied 166 Inter was essentially bespoke, with differences in grille shape, side windows, roof profiles, and trim that reflected the tastes of individual clients and the evolving style of the atelier.

The interiors were equally custom and hand-crafted. They were typically appointed with leather upholstery, simple instrumentation, and tasteful detailing. While modest by later Ferrari standards, the 166 Inter’s interior offered far more comfort and refinement than the stripped-down race cars that had defined the company’s early output.

Only a small number of Ferrari 166 Inters were bodied by Farina—fewer than ten are believed to have been completed in this style—making them extraordinarily rare. These cars were some of the first Ferraris seen on public roads and at international concours events, helping to establish Ferrari’s reputation for building not only fast cars but also exquisitely styled ones.

The Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé by Farina holds a foundational place in the marque’s history. It represents the beginning of Ferrari’s long-standing relationship with Italy’s greatest coachbuilders and the birth of the Ferrari grand touring tradition. Today, these cars are cherished for their rarity, beauty, and the purity of their early Ferrari identity—a blend of racing spirit and road-going elegance that would come to define the brand.