The Ferrari 166 Inter

You may well ask what is a Ferrari model 166 Inter? Not too many people have ever heard of this car, and even Ferrari owners look a little confused. Why shouldn't they? The 166 was the first Ferrari road car. The Ferrari Company was primarily involved in building pure race cars. This was Enzo Ferrari's passion. However you do have to pay the bills and this was the car that started the road car business. In 1948 the Ferrari 166 introduced at the Turin Motor Show. Typical of the companies' later cars, this was powered by a V12 engine in the front. The engine had two overhead cams, one of which was on each side of the V12 banks.

Total engine capacity was 1995 cc or about 2 liters. If you were to divide the total 1995 by 12 you would get 166.25. The company dropped the .25 and the car was called the 166. Naming a Ferrari after the cubic centimeter of one cylinder is now common, and this was the first car to be named this way. The word "inter" was the way the factory would designate cars that were not built with the idea of racing in mind. However, many owners felt that a Ferrari was a dual purpose car. That is, you could drive it in a race and then drive it home. Ferrari owners were not alone in this belief, as many other sport car owners felt the same way about their brands.

The car was a two passenger two door coupe. Ferrari coupes are sometimes called "berlinetta" or a "little saloon" car. Since the 166 Inter Ferrari has built two and four passenger cars, but they all have two doors. No four doors Ferrari has been sold to date. The 166 Inter was raced and it won the Mille Miglia race in May of 1948. Cars like this continued their dual purpose role and over the years Ferrari's reputation began to grow. Total production of the 166 Inter was 36 cars over a three year span. In today's world a 105bph car capable of 120 mph would not be looked at twice. But if you would like one RM Auctions is advertising a 1949 model for sale on May 17, 2009. Estimated value is around $500,000.

Dennis Dater has been interested in cars since he learned to drive in a 1952 MG TD. He has two unique web sites that offer Honda Accord aftermarket parts. Visit him and see the products or read more articles.

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