The Ferrari 166 S was built starting in 1948 and evolved the 125 S sports car. Its Colombo V12 grew to 2.0 liters of displacement. Only a few units were built, most of them as open Spyder Corsa models with cycle fenders, followed by the 166 Inter as the road-going version. Early victories at the Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia established Ferrari as a serious contender in motorsport. The 166 S was succeeded by the successful 166 MM, and later the 195 S replaced both.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Learn moreRacing successes · Technical details · Coachwork and Zagato
Racing successes
In 1948, Clemente Biondetti won the Mille Miglia in the 166 S alongside Giuseppe Navone, as well as the Targa Florio with Igor Troubetzkoy. In 1949, he won the Targa Florio again, this time in the 166 SC with Benedetti as co-driver. At the 1949 Mille Miglia, 166 MM Barchettas finished first and second, driven by Biondetti/Salani and Bonetto/Carpani. Another 166 won the 24 Hours of Spa that same year. In 1950, Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara took the Mille Miglia on a 166 chassis fitted with the larger engine of the 195 S.
Technical details
The 166 S adopted the tubular frame and suspension of the 125, featuring double wishbones up front and a live axle at the rear, along with the 2420 mm wheelbase. Colombo's V12 received a larger bore and longer stroke, 60 × 58.8 mm, a single overhead camshaft, and three carburetors. Depending on the version, it produced between 110 PS at 5600/min and 130 PS at 6500/min. In the 166 MM, output rose to 140 PS at 6600/min.
Coachwork and Zagato
The first two 166 S received bodies by Allemano, while the last was built by Carlo Anderloni at Touring. Most 166 MM wore Touring Barchetta bodies. The 166 MM with chassis 0018M received a Zagato body in the "Panoramica" style, similar to a one-off Maserati A6 1500 also designed by Vieri Rapi. It is considered the first Ferrari bodied by Zagato and was recreated in 2007 under Zagato's "Sanction Lost" program.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 166 S
When was the Ferrari 166 S raced?
The Ferrari 166 S was raced from 1948 to 1953.
How much power does the Ferrari 166 S have?
Power of the Ferrari 166 S: 110 to 130 PS.
What engine does the Ferrari 166 S have?
Engine of the Ferrari 166 S: 2.0 l (1995 cm³) Colombo V12. It is mounted at the front.
How fast is the Ferrari 166 S?
Top speed of the Ferrari 166 S: 170 to 215 km/h.
Who engineered the Ferrari 166 S?
Engineering of the Ferrari 166 S: Federico Formenti at Touring; Allemano.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 166 S?
Predecessor: Ferrari 159 S. Successor: Ferrari 195 S.
