Rare ’49 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta on the Block

A rare, race-bred 1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, chassis number 0024 M, has been added to the already-impressive lineup at RM Auctions’ Arizona sale slated for January 20 – 21, 2011. The beautiful racer, expected to fetch between $1.9 million – $2.4 million, is one of 11 Ferraris slated to cross the auction block during the marquee event, including Reggie Jackson’s 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder that we told you about last month. Originally commissioned for the 1949 Paris Motor Show, the 166 MM on offer is considered one of the rarest and most historic early Ferraris, having been owned and raced by many notable individuals in the Ferrari world.

The 10th built of just 25 examples featuring striking “Barchetta” coackwork from Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, the car made its racing debut at the 1950 Mar del Plata in Argentina, finishing an impressive first overall. It was also raced in period in the 1951 Mille Miglia, where it was driven by well-known female driver Aprile Palmer, who purchased the car shortly afterwards. The subject of a complete and total restoration, 0024 M is today finished in red and fitted with its original components, including chassis, numbers-matching engine, gearbox and differential.

Photo credit: Hugh Hamilton © 2010, courtesy RM Auctions

This entry was posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:39 am and is filed under Cars. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.