Ferrari 166 Inter Spider Farina

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari 166 Inter was Ferrari’s first true grand tourer. An evolution of the 125 S and 166 S racing cars, it was a sports car for the street with coachbuilt bodies. The Inter name commemorated the victories claimed in 166 S models by Scuderia Inter. 38 166 Inters were built from 1948 through 1950. As was typical at the time, a bare chassis was delivered to the coachbuilder of the customer’s choice. Majority used Touring with coupé or barchetta style.  Carrozzeria Ghia produced one-off coupé designed by Felice Mario Boano. Others were built by Stabilimenti Farina with Michelotti who penned the coupés and the Ferrari 166 Inter Spider. Bertone bodied one cabriolet. Vignale also joined in with seven bodyworks, presaging their designs of the coming decade, foreshadowed those companies’ later involvement with Ferrari. The Ferrari 166 Inter Spider by Stabilimenti Farina is a stunning example of Italian automotive craftsmanship from the late 1940s, with two notable chassis numbers: 011S and 033S. These cars showcase the elegance and luxury of Ferrari’s early post-war offerings.

011S (1949): This 166 Inter Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet, a right-hand-drive model, was first presented as a show car at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1949. The car featured a unique pea green exterior paired with pale leather interior, giving it a sophisticated, vintage appearance. Originally owned by renowned Italian director Roberto Rossellini, this particular chassis has a storied history, transitioning through several notable owners over the decades. In the early 1970s, it was acquired by Edgar L. Roy in Boston, Massachusetts. A subsequent restoration in the mid-1970s saw the car repainted in a dark red finish, but it retained its original charm and design elements. The car changed hands through various collectors, including Judge John North and Allen Woodall, before reaching Robert M. Lee in 1984. In August 2019, 011S was displayed at The Quail – A Motorsport Gathering, underscoring its status as a rare and valuable collector’s piece.

033S (1949): The 033S chassis, also a 166 Inter Stabilimenti Farina Cabriolet, is another right-hand-drive example, but with a more subtle aesthetic of Avorio (ivory) over Blu (blue) interior. The car’s history includes a period with Wax & Vitale in Genoa, Italy, and later appearances at various prestigious events. Notably, 033S was offered at the Bonhams Quail Auction in August 2022, where it was expected to fetch between $1.8 and $2.2 million, though it was ultimately sold post-auction for $1.22 million. The car was later showcased at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance in 2023, a testament to its timeless appeal and rarity in the Ferrari world.