Description

The Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta by Touring is one of the most celebrated and historically important Ferraris ever built. Introduced in 1948, it was the direct successor to the earlier 166 Sport models and marked the beginning of Ferrari’s dominance in postwar sports car racing. The designation “MM” stood for Mille Miglia, in honor of the car’s outright victory in the 1948 edition of that legendary Italian road race. The term “Barchetta,” meaning “little boat” in Italian, referred to the open two-seater body style designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan.

At its heart, the 166 MM used the Colombo-designed 2.0-liter V12 engine, a jewel of engineering for its time. Equipped with triple Weber carburetors, it produced around 140 horsepower, which, combined with the car’s extremely light weight of about 650 kilograms, gave it remarkable performance for the late 1940s. Power was sent through a five-speed manual gearbox, allowing the car to reach top speeds of around 220 km/h — exceptional for a small-displacement sports car of the era.

Touring’s bodywork was crafted using the patented Superleggera construction method, in which a framework of small-diameter steel tubes was overlaid with thin aluminum panels. The result was a lightweight yet rigid structure that gave the 166 MM both agility and speed. The Barchetta’s styling was simple and purposeful: a long hood, low doors, cutaway sides for better arm movement, and a short, rounded tail. The small, steeply raked windscreen could be removed or replaced with a full-width unit depending on racing regulations and driver preference.

The 166 MM Barchetta quickly proved itself on the world stage. In addition to its 1948 Mille Miglia triumph, it won the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans — giving Ferrari its first victory in that race — and also took victory in the 1949 Spa 24 Hours. These successes established Ferrari as a serious force in endurance racing and cemented the 166 MM’s reputation as one of the most versatile sports cars of its time.

Inside, the car was stripped to the essentials for competition. Two bucket seats, a simple painted metal dashboard, and a cluster of necessary gauges made up the cockpit. Comfort and luxury were secondary to lightness and functionality, though some customer cars received slightly more trim for road use.

Only about 25 examples of the 166 MM Barchetta Touring were built between 1948 and 1950, making them exceptionally rare. Each was hand-crafted, and subtle differences exist between cars due to the bespoke nature of construction. Many were sold to privateer racers, who campaigned them in events across Europe and the Americas.

Today, the Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta Touring is regarded as one of the most important models in the company’s history. It represents Ferrari’s first great racing successes, the beginning of the 166 series that would evolve into some of the marque’s most famous sports cars, and the moment when Enzo Ferrari’s vision began to capture the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide. Its combination of beauty, competition pedigree, and historical significance makes it one of the most coveted Ferraris ever built.