Vehicle Description
While it may be a nigh impossible task to define the single most
significant Ferrari model in the company's illustrious 75-plus year
history, plenty of standouts are worthy of vying for a spot among
the top ten. Just as every work of art in the Louvre is significant
enough to deserve a place in those hallowed halls, every Ferrari
needs to be worthy of theCavallino Rampantebadge in some way, and
there are many incredible machines worthy of consideration. Most
historians would agree that the case for the Tipo 166 being at the
sharp end of such a list is undoubtedly strong. This potent little
racer with its jewel-like 2-liter V12 engine was the car that
cemented Ferrari's credibility as a manufacturer on the global
motorsport stage. The 166 MM is the only car to win Mille Miglia,
the Targa Florio, and the Le Mans 24 Hours. Luigi Chinetti famously
drove 22 out of 24 hours at the French classic to bring his 2-liter
166 home ahead of many vastly more powerful machines, and deliver
Ferrari their maiden victory at Circuit de la Sarthe. A week after
that, another 166MM won the 24-hour race at Spa Francorchamps in
Belgium and went on to score a plethora of victories in Europe and
the USA. Ferrari produced several variations of the 166, including
the S, Corsa, and Mille Miglia, with odd serial numbers typically
reserved for road cars and even serial numbers for competition
cars. The final run of 13 MM chassis constructed in 1953 received a
/53 designation, with updated spec to include 9.5:1 compression and
a trio of massive Weber 36 IF/40 carburetors bumping output to
about 160 horsepower. It also got a 120-liter fuel tank for
endurance racing, all while keeping the weight below 1,800 pounds.
These are the most potent variants of the 166 and, with just 13
produced, are highly sought after by collectors. On home soil in
the Mille Miglia, the 166 earned its "MM" moniker and its place in
the hearts of countless Italians. In the USA, the sports car racing
scene was heating up, and wealthy gentleman drivers lined up for a
chance to buy "previously enjoyed" Ferrari 166s from Chinetti's
newly formed North American Ferrari distributorship. Despite
relatively low production numbers, the 166 amassed a tally of 88
victories between 1948 and 1955, putting it in rarified company
among the winningest competition cars of all time. 1953 166 MM/53,
S/N 0278 M S/N 0278 M is the 6th of only 13 166 MM/53s produced and
was equipped with rakish and lightweight spider coachwork by
Vignale, one of Enzo's favored coachbuilders of the early days.
According to records provided by marque historian Marcel Massini,
0278 M completed factory testing in the early days of April 1953.
Soon after, it was delivered to its first owner, Count Enrico
Sterzi of Milan, who wasted no time putting the 166 to work,
entering the Giro di Sicilia on April 12th, 1953. Alongside
co-driver Enzo Pinzero, Sterzi scored a class victory in the car's
very first outing. The good fortune continued just two weeks later
at the Mille Miglia, where Sterzi, with co-driver O. Rossi, brought
0278 M home in 15th overall - a mighty result for a privateer
driving a 2-liter car in one of the most competitive road races in
the world. Several period photos document its Mille exploits, with
race number 446 reflecting its 4:46 AM start time. The excellent
results continued with an 8th overall at the Messina 10 hours in
July 1953, with Sterzi sharing driving duties alongside Franco
Cortese, and 3rd overall at the PescaraCoppa Acerbo12 hours
(Sterzi/Cortese). For the 1954 season, Sterzi entered 0278 M in the
Mille Miglia, with Ugo Scotti signed up for driving duties, but the
car did not start. Later in 1954, Count Enrico Sterzi sold 0278 M
to Philip Toll Hill of Santa Monica, California. Of course, Phil
Hill is best known as the USA's first Formula 1 World Champion, but
he was also an active sports car dealer, racer, restorer, and
collector. In 1954, Phil Hill sold 0278 M to MGM Studios in
Hollywood. The studio bought the car with the intention of using it
in their upcoming feature filmThe Racersstarring Kirk Douglas and
Gilbert Roland. MGM modified the coachwork, significantly reworking
the nose and tail sections, adding faux side pipes, and making many
detail changes. After the movie's release in 1955, the studio sold
0278 M to Terry Hall of Pacific Palisades, California. He raced the
car in its modified state in West Coast club events for the 1955
season before selling it to Richard Amon of Santa Monica. In the
early 1970s, Steve Griswold of Berkeley, CA, discovered 0278 M
tucked away in an airport hangar and managed to acquire it. In 1973
the respected collector and vintage racer, the late Peter Giddings
of San Francisco, added 0278 M to his collection. Giddings owned
the 166 for a couple of years before selling it to another
well-known Ferrari collector, P. Paul Pappalardo of Greenwich,
Connecticut, in 1975. Pappalardo had the engine rebuilt by Griswold
and, according to the most recent owner, removed the modified
coachwork and set it aside. In 1980, the current owner acquired
0278 M from Pappalardo as a complete rolling chassis sans bodywork,
and embarked on an extensive restoration. The new owner
commissioned the well-known East Coast Ferrari specialists Grand
Prix SSR to perform a complete restoration, which included the
construction of new coachwork in the style of the original Vignale
design. The car was beautifully detailed and finished to a high
standard, earning entry into the 1984 Monterey Historics and the
1984 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it scored 3rd in class
H-2. Since then, 0278 M has lived a quiet life in the hands of the
same collector who purchased it more than 40 years ago and oversaw
its restoration. It has been meticulously maintained through the
years and remains in excellent condition, with a pleasingly mellow
character that invites regular enjoyment. Notably, inspections have
found that the chassis, engine, 5-speed competition gearbox, and
rear axle numbers correspond with those on the factory build
sheets. It retains the correct trio of Weber 36 IF 40 carburetors,
120-liter fuel tank, proper Magnetti Marelli electrics, Veglia
instruments, and authentic touches like Marchal Optilux headlamps.
From behind the wheel, the 166 MM/53 feels deft yet incredibly
tough - like a ballerina in combat boots. The clutch and gearbox
feel hewn from solid and are built to handle the incredible abuse
of 1950s open road racing, while the steering is light and direct,
and the V12 engine sounds considerably more potent than its 2-liter
displacement might suggest. There is no doubting the remarkable
success of Ferrari's first world-beating sports car, and chassis
0278 M represents the height of the 166's development. Along with
its lovingly maintained restoration, this car boasts exceptionally
well-documented ownership and competition history, rarity as one of
just 13 '53-spec examples, and eligibility for a wide range of
historic motoring events. The availability of this marvelous
166MM/53 represents a rare opportunity to add an essential piece of
Ferrari history to your stable. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7350-1953-ferrari-166-mm-53-barchetta/
