Ferrari 166MM, the beginning of the legend

If today Ferrari is in the legend, it is indeed thanks to its history, history composed of many twists, starting with the first participation of Ferrari in competition with the 166 MM.

If in the pre-war history Ferrari has already made a name for itself, it is notably in Formula 1, with models all more incredible than the others, but after the war that the brand will forge a solid reputation in the field of what we call today endurance.

In 1948, endurance races were demanding and had extraordinary characteristics, the most famous being the 24 hours of Le Mans, but also and above all the Mille Miglia, an open road race of more than 1600 km that crossed Italy.

For a manufacturer, winning one of these races was a sign of reliability and demonstrated the superiority of the brand, but then, imagine winning both races with the same car...

The wooden steering wheel brings a real charm

Well, the 166 was not created with this in mind, it was in 1948 that the car was born, equipped with a 2-liter V12 atmo developing 140 horsepower, which was quite decent for the time and allowed it to reach a speed of 195 km/h. This is partly due to its so-called "superleggera" aluminum chassis, which allowed the car to weigh only 650 kilos. And with its open body, the name of barchetta is then quickly attributed to him. But even if this Ferrari is very nice to look at, that it is part of the genesis of the brand, it is for other reasons that it is today part of the rarest Ferrari.

Because it is in 1949, one year after its creation, that the 166 MM will mark the history.

The 24 hours of Le Mans are approaching and Enzo Ferrari refuses to engage the 166, thinking it too fragile to last the whole race, but a privateer, Luigi Chinetti, engages the Ferrari, Chinetti who will be the owner of the North American Racing Team, great importer of Ferrari in the United States.

But before the beginning of the race, the pilot has doubts about the reliability of the clutch/gearbox, so he decides to drive alone during the 24 hours and will only allow himself a one hour break between 4 and 5 in the morning.

So it's this model, the Ferrari 166 MM n°22 that won the 24 hours of Le Mans, but where does this MM come from if not from there?

It comes from something more important, because in 1949 the Mille Miglia also took place, a few months before the 24 hours, and among the nine cars of Maranello was a certain 166 n°22 chassis #0008M, and if it is so important, it is because it succeeded in the feat not only to finish the race, but also to win it by making a one-two with the chassis #0010M

It is following the victory in Italy that the 166 barchetta will take the name "MM" for Mille Miglia, these cars having realized the exploit to win the Italian race.

This is why chassis #0008M will become a legend, winning two of the most difficult endurance races of its time and marking the beginning of Ferrari's rise to power in the field of road racing cars.

It is therefore a real chance to admire a car that had such an important role in the history of the prancing horse brand.

Arthur Legrand