Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta Touring – Classiche Certified

During the second world war, Enzo Ferrari began planning his new car and commissioned Gioacchino Colombo to design a V12 engine for it in 1946. The 1.5 litre unit was designated Tipo 125, instigating the capacity of an individual cylinder (125cc), creating a system which would characterise Ferraris to the present day. Ferraris Tipo 125 sports-racer made its debut in 1947, later being designated Tipo 159 with its engine being enlarged to a 1.9 litre. Later that year, the first Tipo 166 (2.0 litre) unit appeared, made available for both racing and road cars. With a race tune, up to 150 horsepower was available, with the Inter road car and its single twin-choke Weber carburettor the engine produced 100 horsepower. This was transmitted via a five-speed gearbox, which was a very unusual feature in this period, particularly on a competition car. The twin-tube chassis adopted transverse leaf and double wishbone front suspension, a semi-elliptically sprung live rear axle located by torsional stabilising bars and Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers were fitted all round.

By 1949, Ferrari had become the dominant force in international sports car racing, with the Tipo 166 claiming victory in three of the worlds most prestigious events: the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Le Mans 24 Hour Race – a phenomenal achievement in such a short period.

Chassis number 017S is believed to be 1 of 36 examples, the 6^th 166 and only the ninth road going Ferrari completed. The 166 was bodied by several of Italy’s foremost Carrozzeria, Vignale and Touring being responsible for the bulk of production. 017S wears the latter distinctive Superleggera Coupe coachwork, its graceful and elegant profile resembling the lines of the immortal Barchetta. 017S is one of only five cars bodied by Carrozzeria Touring in this style, this being the final example.

After World War II had concluded, Milan, Italy was able to make a quick recovery from the damage thanks to a wave of industry that moved through the city. Following the end of the Second World War, Alfa Romeo was the dominant player in single-seater grand prix racing with its 158/159 Alfetta. However, when the new Formula One World Championship was announced there were other competitors on the scene, one of which also originated in Modena.

Franco Cornacchia, a resident of Milan and an avid motor enthusiast keenly followed the world of Italian motorsport, he would go on to have his own dealership in Milan and soon gained a reputation for being a gentleman racer that would take part in multiple sportscar events in the years following the war. Entering the Coppa Inter Europa, he drove a 166 S and earned 3^rd place finish. Driving a 166 MM he would score consecutive victories in the Cirutio de Senigallia and the Circuito di Trieste. He also took a class victory in the Giro Celle Calabria and would earned many other top results in some tough sportscar endurance races. Cornacchia developed a strong relationship with Ferrari, leading him to receive new models for testing and evaluation. Cornacchia’s relationship with Enzo eventually lead him to start his own racing team, inspired by a small town situated in the province of Reggio Emilia named, Gustalla. Scuderia Gustalla had a strong connection with Ferrari, leading to Cornacchia’s team to enter the newest Ferrari sportscars into endurance races. With such equipment at his disposal, Cornacchia would partner with Giovanni Bracco and would finish the 1951 Targa Florio in 2^nd place overall and then winning his class in the 1952 Quarta Coppa della Toscana. Cornacchia drove some commendable Ferraris during this partnership, including a 212 MM Coupe, a 500 Mondial and a 750 Monza.

017S was sold new to the official dealer, owned by Franco Cornacchia in Milan, Italy, and then resold by him to the Cerena brothers of Busto Arsizo some years later. In June 1958, the Inter was purchased by a Mr Stemmler who resided in Kilchberg, Switzerland. Mr Stemmler cherished the 166 for 30 years, in which time he commissioned Autoficcina Franco Toni in Maranello to restore the car in 1983. Some 6 years later the car was sold to a Marcel Capecchi, who also resided in Kilchberg. Capecchi, a respected restaurant owner, commissioned Motor Service in Modena to refurbish the 166’s body and interior in 1994, cosmetically preparing the car to a high standard in anticipation of the Mille Miglia in which he participated in 1995 and 1996. After completing the Mille Miglia in 1996, the cars engine was subjected to a rebuild, and gearbox overhaul carried out by Cavaliere Antonio Constantini of Zurich. Capecchi entered Ennstal Classic Rallye in Austria in 1998 and again the Mille Miglia in 2000 before parting ways with the 166 at the end of the year.

The cars next custodian, a Mr Edgar Schermenhorn of Holland, who took great pride in his ownership of 017S, displayed the car at the MECC Show in Masstricht in 2002 and at the 11^th Annual Modena Motorsport Track Days meeting and Concours at the Nürburgring in July 2005. Mr Shchermenhorn’s ownership of the 166 concluded after nearly 10 years, where it was then sold to a U.K. collector in 2010.

017S was enthusiastically campaigned during this ownership, attending several Ferrari Owners Club (GB) and other prestigious meetings/events, including its entry to the Mille Miglia a fourth time in 2011. Shortly after completion of the Mille Miglia the 166 was shown at the Beaulieu Italian Day, winning the ‘Pride Of Ownership’ award. Later in 2011, 017S achieved the ‘Overall Connoisseurs Trophy’ at the Ferrari Owners Club (GB) Annual Meeting and Concours at Heywood Park. The car was shown at the Salon Prive Concours at Syon Park and displayed on the FOCGB’s stand at the NEC’s Classic Motor Show.

In 2014 017S was acquired by its most recent custodian, a Norfolk based gentleman with some notable historic Ferraris. During his ownership, he entered the car into numerous concours events and shows including Ferrari Owners Club gatherings, Salon Prive, Hevingham Hall, Hampton Court and Villa D’Este Style at Lake Como, Italy. The car was also used for a photoshoot for Top Gear. 017S took part in the Celebration Tour for Touring Bodied Ferrari in 2019, accompanying 8 other Tipo 166’s and other historic Ferraris from Milan to Turin.

017S is currently one of the earliest Ferrari road cars in the U.K., wearing its original specification of Rosso over Pelle Beige interior. The 166 is accompanied by an extensive history, with numerous folders of documentation, Classiche Certification with red book, Massini Report, FIVA identity card and MSA/HTP and sundry invoices referencing the cars restoration and comprehensive maintenance woks carried out during the 1990’s.

017S is one of fewer than 40 Tipo 166 Inters constructed and the 9^th road car ever built by Ferrari, making it one of the most significant, rare and collectible historic cars built. Well-presented throughout and on the button, this 166 Inter is ready to join a notable collection and be thoroughly enjoyed by her next keeper. Eligible for events such as the Mille Miglia and multiple other historic rallies, this presents an excellent opportunity to own a true piece of Ferraris history.