Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa chassis #014I has a notable racing history, beginning in 1948 as a works racer for Scuderia Ferrari. This right-hand-drive car initially competed in various events, starting with the II Gran Premio di Bari on May 30, 1948, where it was forced to retire due to a transmission issue. The car was driven by Ferdinando Righetti in the Bari Grand Prix and had mixed results in early races. A few weeks later, it participated in the II Coppa Giorgio e Alberto Nucolari at the GP di Mantova del Tè on June 13, 1948, finishing 7th overall and 7th in the IC class, driven by Giampiero Bianchetti. Throughout 1948, the car saw several race entries, including a strong performance at the Bolzano-Mendola Hillclimb, where it finished 2nd overall and 2nd in its class. The car continued to race across Italy with Bianchetti behind the wheel, making appearances at events like the Aosta-Gran San Bernardo Hillclimb and the Coppa Acerbo at the Circuito di Pescara. It also participated in the Gran Premio di Napoli at Posillipo and other Formula Libre races, though mechanical issues affected its performance in several races. By 1949, the Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa continued to compete in Italian motorsport events, including the Monza GP and the Circuito del Garda, where Bianchetti struggled to finish in the points. The car was then upgraded with a more powerful engine, increasing its displacement to 2.340ccm, improving its competitiveness. In 1951, the car was updated with a new nose, styled in the Tipo 125 GP configuration, and continued to race under Giampiero Bianchetti’s guidance in various events. The car achieved a notable 2nd place finish at the Gran Premio di Roma in the F2 class, and it also saw competition in the Modena GP and Senigallia Circuit, although it faced mechanical issues in several events, including Pescara and Bari. In the mid-1950s, the Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa underwent a significant transformation when it was rebodied by Scaglietti, receiving a full-width body similar to the 500 TR, improving both its aerodynamics and appearance. After the rebodiment, the car changed ownership several times, beginning with Michele Vernola in 1956, followed by Nico Gianella in 1962, who exported it to the United States. The car then passed through the hands of several owners, including Michael C. Peake and Norman Blank, before being sold at various auctions. The car gained significant attention in the 2000s, appearing in multiple Ferrari events, including the FCA National Meeting and Ferrari Concours. It was later restored and passed through multiple ownerships, including that of Anthony Podell, who had the car mechanically restored by Patrick Ottis in 2008. Throughout the years, it was showcased at prestigious events such as Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach Auction and the Monterey Historic Races. In 2011, the car was sold again at a Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction, and in 2017, it was sold at Artcurial Retromobile Auction for €2,960,400 ($3,138,024). The car was subsequently purchased by Peter Noethen from Cologne, Germany, and later exhibited at Motorworld Köln in 2023. As of 2024, the Ferrari 166 Spider Corsa chassis #014I is actively competing in the Mille Miglia with Peter Noethen and Phil Noethen at the wheel, continuing its legacy in the world of classic motorsport.