Hi all, Don't you think it could be interesting to have an historical thread about Ferrari ? No speak of values of the cars, lawsuits, crappy restorations or replicas. Only a discussion about history, coachbuilders and serial numbers. Yes, we already have the great "More old photos" thread but why no follow the chronology of Ferrari in the continuity of the 70th anniversary ? If you are OK, let's go : September 15th 1948 : 70 years today ! Opening of the XXXI salone internazionale dell´automobile di Torino Image Unavailable, Please Login
Two cars displayed : 1 - on the Ferrari stand : the beautiful red 166 MM Touring Barchetta Lusso s/n 0002/M. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login 2 - on the Touring stand : the impressive azzurro metallizzato 166 Sport Touring Coupe 2+2 s/n 005/S. In some period magazines, you could also read "166 Inter" or "166 Aerlux". Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Original : Realizzare su un tipico chassis di macchina da corsa, la Ferrari 2000 cmc., una berlinetta a quattro posti, era problema senza soluzione dato il minimo spazio disponible. I Tecnici della Carrozzeria Touring hanno trovato solo nella « Gommapiuma » la possibilità di accoppiare il massimo comfort con il minimo ingombro : si noti infatti nei sedili anteriori l’originale montaggio della « Gommapiuma » su mastri elastici « cord » ; Lo schienale, che al centro presenta un minimo spessore di 30 mm. Pur assicurando la massima comodità ha permesso di guadagnare lo spazio necessario per ricavare un accogliente sedile posteriore. Anche per quest’ultimo è da rivelare la semplice soluzione che ha consentito di ottenere un cuscino unico secondo il miglior equilibrio delle esigenze di ingombro, leggerezza, comfort e una estrema facilità di montaggio. Translation : Realizing on a typical race car chassis, the Ferrari 2000 cm, a four-seater berlinetta, was a problem without solution given the minimum available space. The Carrozzeria Touring's technicians have found only in the «Gommapiuma» the possibility of coupling the maximum comfort with the minimum encumbrance : in fact, in the front seats, note the original assembly of the «Gommapiuma» on «Cord»elastic masters ; The backrest, which has a minimum thickness of 30 mm in the middle. While ensuring maximum comfort, it made it possible to gain the necessary space to create a cozy back seat. Also for the latter it is to be revealed the simple solution that has made it possible to obtain a single cushion according to the best balance of the requirements of size, lightness, comfort and an extreme ease of assembly.
Hi Kare, Thanks for your interest. I know your theory about 013/S as a second car and the Turin's one but I have now the proof that the Touring coupe displayed at the 1949 Geneva Show was 007/S and not 015/S. Then, I think it's almost impossible that 013/S was displayed at the Turin Show in september 1948 six months BEFORE 007/S at the Geneva Show in march 1949. I even doubt again that there were two "166 Aerlux", sorry for that...
Hi Marcel, absolutely not. I'm saying : - the Touring coupe Aerlux with long wheelbase at Turin in 1948 was 005/S. - the Touring coupe at Geneva in 1949 was 007/S, But Kare thinks the Turin car wasn't 005/S but another s/n (which one ? 013/S ??). I doubt very much 013/S would have be shown at Turin six months before 007/S at Geneva...
Please tell us why the 1948 Turin Show car should not be 005/S if the 1949 Geneva Show car was 007/S.
007 S. Robert McKinsey of Washington, D.C., but Virgina license plates. See also magazine "Sports Car Illustrated" of July 1955. Marcel Massini
Thanks Marcel, that's what I had as well, but the 1952 Mille Miglia car on racing# 455 also is called 007S, while this car has the door integrated with the rear fender. Image Unavailable, Please Login
That is 007 S as well. Italian license plates Florence "FI 56527" is 007 S, I have the paperwork. Issued 26 November 1951 for 2nd owner Vittorio Cuminetti of Florence. Pietro Barbetti was the 3rd owner of 007 S. 007 S was first registered in Genova, thereafter in Florence, then in Perugia and then in Livorno. When U.S. Captain Henry A. Bertecchi bought it he hillclimbed it several times in Italy. Marcel Massini
Boudewijn, you can see in the photograph you posted when the car wore a lighter shade, that the door is integrated with the fender. There is only a subtle hint of this due to the angle and quality of the photo scan, but it's there.
Let's continue this topic following the chronology of Ferrari 70 years ago : Today : the victory of Raymond Sommer at the Firenze GP (F2) on September 26th with the 166 F2... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Interesting how much the 166 Sport Touring Coupe looks like to the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8C Monterosa from the same period... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I thought there was a story that Enzo was not happy that some of the coach builders were habitually recycling designs which meant that his cars did not remain unique.