The Ferrari 166 Inter is historic because it was Ferrari’s very first true road-going production sports car, sold to civilian customers between 1948 and 1950.
While earlier Ferraris (like the 125 S) were built exclusively for the racetrack, Enzo Ferrari realized he needed to sell high-end road cars to private buyers to fund his racing team. The 166 Inter was the result.
Key Facts & Specs:
- Production Run: 1948–1950 (only 37 units were built).
- Category: Sports Grand Tourer (GT Coupe / Cabriolet).
- Engine: 2.0-liter (1,995 cc) Gioacchino Colombo V12 engine.
- Power Output: 90 to 110 horsepower, reaching a top speed of around 106–124 mph (170–200 km/h).
- Transmission: 5-speed manual (very rare for the late 1940s).
What Made It Unique:
Ferrari sold the 166 Inter as a bare chassis and engine to wealthy clients. Customers then took their chassis to famous Italian coachbuilders (carrozzerie) to design custom, handcrafted bodies. Most were bodied by Carrozzeria Touring, but others were styled by Ghia, Vignale, and Stabilimenti Farina—meaning almost no two 166 Inters look identical.