1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

The 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa holds a pivotal place in automotive history as one of the earliest and most significant Ferraris. This model was not only the first Ferrari to secure a major racing victory but also marked the arrival of Ferrari in the United States, heralding a new chapter in motorsport and automotive design.

Enzo Ferrari’s Early Vision

Before founding Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari built a reputation as a successful race team organizer, notably as the head of Scuderia Ferrari, managing Alfa Romeo race cars. After parting ways with Alfa Corse in less than a year, he began independently producing race cars despite contractual limitations. His early designs, such as the Auto Avio Construzione 815, made an impression even during the challenging years of World War II, including a lap record at the 1940 Mille Miglia.

The Birth of Ferrari

With World War II behind him, Ferrari, with the assistance of former Alfa engineer Gioacchino Colombo, developed a car that fully embodied his vision. Powered by a V-12 engine inspired by the Packard Double Six, the Ferrari Tipo 166 emerged in 1947 as a formidable racing machine. Colombo’s V-12 engine balanced maximum power with manageable complexity, proving its capabilities in early competitions.

• The 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa was the first Ferrari to achieve a major racing victory, highlighting its significance in automotive history.
• This model marked Ferrari's debut in the United States, brought by Briggs Cunningham in 1949, making it the first racing Ferrari in the country.
• Enzo Ferrari developed the Tipo 166 after World War II, leveraging a V-12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo to deliver power with balanced complexity.
• The car’s V-12 engine drew inspiration from the Packard Double Six, chosen for its potential to maximize performance.
• Racing successes included wins at the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia in 1948, establishing the Tipo 166 as a competitive force.
• Luigi Chinetti drove this specific Tipo 166 to victory at the 12 Hours of Montlhéry and set two-liter class speed records in late 1948.
• The car achieved its first U.S. victory at the Suffolk County Airport Race in 1950, driven by Briggs Cunningham.
• Sam Collier recorded the fastest lap at Bridgehampton in 1950, securing a second-place finish, showcasing the car's continued competitiveness.
• A crash at Watkins Glen in September 1950 tragically ended Sam Collier's life, leading to the car's retirement from active competition.
• The Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa reflects Enzo Ferrari's early vision of creating performance-focused vehicles that paved the way for Ferrari's motorsport legacy.

Racing Achievements

In 1948, the Tipo 166 achieved significant victories, including the Targa Florio in April and the Mille Miglia in May. The displayed car, driven by Luigi Chinetti, won the 12 Hours of Montlhéry in September and set two-liter class records for various distances in November, reaching speeds of over 124 mph.

Arrival in the United States

This particular Tipo 166 (serial number 016-1) was purchased by Briggs Cunningham in 1949 and became the first racing Ferrari in the U.S. It claimed its inaugural American victory at the Suffolk County Airport Race in May 1950, driven by Cunningham. Additional performances included a second-place finish at Bridgehampton with Sam Collier, who also recorded the fastest lap during the race.

A Legacy Marked by Triumph and Tragedy

The car's competitive journey was overshadowed by tragedy when Sam Collier lost his life in a crash at Watkins Glen in September 1950. Following the incident, the Tipo 166 was largely retired from racing.

The 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa stands as a testament to Enzo Ferrari's relentless ambition and the early success of his now-iconic marque, laying the foundation for decades of Ferrari dominance in motorsport.

Source

1948年法拉利166敞篷赛跑车, 1948年フェラーリ166スパイダーコルサ, פרארי 166 ספיידר קורסה 1948, فيراري 166 سبايدر كورسا 1948, Феррари 166 Спайдер Корса 1948, 1948년 페라리 166 스파이더 코르사, เฟอร์รารี 166 สไปเดอร์ คอร์ซา 1948