This Saturday, May 20, in Cernobio, Italy, an interesting car auction is being held that includes all kinds of classic vehicles, some worth several million, such as a 1972 Ferrari 312 PB that could reach 18 million euros. Today we focus on Lot 123, consisting of one of only 25 Ferrari 166mm Touring Barchetta ever built, up for auction later this week.
The vehicle in question is a copy from 1949, the tenth vehicle specially built in a series of only 25 cars. It was assembled later that year and is equipped with racing pistons, dual exhaust pipes and a 100-litre racing fuel tank.
One of 25 Ferrari 166mm Touring Barchetta ever built, up for auction
Commissioned by the Automobil Club de Argentina, this 166mm Touring Barchetta was originally finished in Argentina’s national colours: Evorio and Azul. It debuted at the 1949 Paris Motor Show and later, it was shipped to Argentina, where driver Carlos Menditegue won on January 15, 1950 at Mar de Plata. It was the first victory for a Ferrari car in South America. ,
The vehicle would return to Maranello in November 1950 and be sold to a new owner, entering the 1951 Mille Miglia, where it finished eighth in its class. Ten days after the race, it was sold again and in June and July 1951 it took part in the Coppa della Toscana and the Susa–Moncenicio climb respectively.
It would change owners three times over the next five years, until it received a new Vignale-designed aluminum body in 1954. from Chevrolet. It retained this engine until 1974, when its new owner brought back the original engine and transmission, also removing the Vignale bodywork. It underwent an extensive restoration in 1986.
After restoration, which ended in 1989, the car went to a Japanese collector and again returned to the United States, where it changed hands twice. This Ferrari 166mm Touring Barchetta with chassis 0024M has been in the same collection since 2011 and is now about to go up for auction again. It will do so this Saturday in Italy, where it is expected to be sold for between 4 and 5 million euros.
