The Fascinating Journey of the 1948 Ferrari 166 Inter

It is a 1948 Ferrari 166 Inter, a model that embodies the history of the rampant Cavallino. This car jewel was made during the second year of existence of the Maranello factory, making it an exceptional witness of the beginning of the Ferrari brand. The current owners of this car, Amanda and Philip, are a couple of passionate pensioners who live in New Zealand. For almost 30 years, they held this legendary car in their garage, taking care to keep it in perfect work order.

It was during a tour in New Zealand on the thoroughbred Ferrari that journalists had the opportunity to discover this unique copy. Intrigued by this discovery, they decided to conduct an investigation in depth to retrace the history of this Ferrari 166 Inter. Thanks to meticulous research in the Ferrari archives, they were able to reconstruct the frenetic path of this vehicle.

The Fascinating Journey of the 1948 Ferrari 166 Inter

On a technical level, the Ferrari 166 Inter stands out for its 2 -liter movement V12 engine. Each cylinder has a capacity of 166 cc, hence the name of the model. At the time, this engine was able to provide an impressive power of 110 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. This performance was particularly high for the 1940s, making the formidable sports car in the streets. The 007-S, in particular model was the first to wear the name “Inter”, marking the beginning of a series of emblematic road cars of Ferrari.

The Ferrari specifies that, during this period, the numbers of the odd series were assigned to road models, while the peers numbers were reserved for the race models. Therefore, the 007-S is the fourth road car produced by Ferrari. The first three, the 001-0, 003-S and 005-S, have experienced various spells: the first two have been lost forever, while the 005-s This makes the 007-S even more precious, since it is the oldest Ferrari road still in circulation of the world. Amanda and Philip also use their Ferrari regularly, without finding serious problems.

The story of this Ferrari 166 Inter began in July 1949, when the car arrived in Genoa with its first owner. So, in 1951, it was purchased by a new owner who brought it to Florence. His third goalkeeper, Pietro Barbetti, participated in the famous Mille Miglia race in 1952 with the 007-S, ranking 20th place in his category.

The following year, in 1953, a captain of the American army named Henry Bartecchi took possession of 166. He had successes with this car, but also misadventures, including a serious accident during a hill race, which led him to spend a month in the hospital.

The repairs of the body 166, entrusted to the bodywork on tour in Milan, are particularly expensive. In 1954, Bob McKinsey, a rich American lawyer, acquired the car and decided to separate the body from the frame to complete the repairs. However, the project never ends. The body remains abandoned in a field for almost two years, until some Thomas Wiggins made the decision to get rid of it because of its bad conditions.

It will therefore take 15 years in Wiggins to find an appropriate body for Inter 166. It ends up obtaining a cut body, one of the few five made by flour factories, a Turin bodywork founded by Giovanni Farina. Giovanni’s brother Battista is also the creator of Pininfarina’s fame. However, this new bodywork, recovered from 166 disgrace in the United States, requires meticulous catering work. Once again, the project is delayed, this time for a period of 23 years. Finally, in 1994, Wiggins definitively abandoned the idea of ​​putting the 166 Inter 007-S on the road.

It was then that Amanda and Philip, two fans of Ferrari, entered the scene. They already had two Ferrari models from 1966: a 330 GT and a 330 GTC. After moving from Alaska to New Zealand, they come across an announcement in a magazine concerning Inter. A long negotiation of six months follows and finally manage to acquire the frame, the engine, the separate body and five wooden boxes full of various components.

The couple entrusts the restoration of Inter 166 to a specialized laboratory. The work was completed in 1997, giving life to this exceptional vehicle. To celebrate the opportunity, an airline sponsors the transport of the Ferrari 166 Inter in Rome. From there, Amanda and Philip take the road to the Émilie-Romagne, where their car is one of the stars of the fifty-year-old anniversary of the Ferrari in Maranello.

From this restoration, the couple has traveled more than 50,000 kilometers aboard their Ferrari 166 Inter. This impressive figure testifies not only the passion of Amanda and Philip for this car, but also the quality of the restoration carried out. Their Ferrari continues to drive on the streets of New Zealand, showing that even the oldest cars can still offer exceptional performance.

The story of this Ferrari 166 Inter is a remarkable testimony of Ferrari’s inheritance and excellence. This is proof that conventional cars can pass over time and stay on motorbike, thanks to the passion and dedication of their owners. This Ferrari, the oldest still in circulation, continues to fascinate cars lovers all over the world.

The 1948 Ferrari 166 Inter is not just a car—it’s a living piece of history. Produced during Ferrari’s second year of existence, this model represents the early days of the Maranello brand. A true gem, the 166 Inter is a rare example of Ferrari’s early craftsmanship and automotive excellence. This particular car has a special place in the hearts of its owners, Amanda and Philip, a retired couple from New Zealand. For nearly 30 years, they’ve cared for this legendary car, keeping it in perfect working order and preserving its historic legacy.

A Unique Discovery

While on a tour of New Zealand, journalists had the unique opportunity to encounter this Ferrari 166 Inter, sparking curiosity and leading them to investigate its fascinating history. Through meticulous research in Ferrari’s archives, they managed to trace the vehicle’s remarkable journey.

Technical Specifications

The Ferrari 166 Inter is powered by a 2-liter V12 engine, with each cylinder measuring 166cc, which is reflected in the model’s name. When it was first released, this engine generated an impressive 110 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, making it an incredibly powerful car for the 1940s. The 007-S model, in particular, was the first to bear the name “Inter,” marking the beginning of Ferrari’s iconic series of road cars.

Ferrari’s system during this era involved assigning odd-numbered series to road cars and even-numbered series to race models. As such, the 007-S is the fourth road car produced by Ferrari, making it even more valuable. The first three cars (001-0, 003-S, and 005-S) are no longer in existence, further elevating the rarity and significance of the 007-S as the oldest Ferrari road car still in circulation.

A Storied History

The Ferrari 166 Inter’s journey began in July 1949 when it arrived in Genoa with its first owner. In 1951, it was sold to a new owner who took it to Florence. The car’s third owner, Pietro Barbetti, competed in the legendary Mille Miglia race in 1952, where he finished 20th in his category.

In 1953, the car was purchased by Henry Bartecchi, a captain in the American army. Bartecchi had notable successes with the car but also faced challenges, including a serious accident during a hill climb race that left him in the hospital for a month.

The car’s repairs were entrusted to a workshop in Milan, but in 1954, the wealthy American lawyer Bob McKinsey purchased the Ferrari and began extensive repairs. However, he decided to separate the body from the frame, and the project was left unfinished. The body was abandoned for almost two years until Thomas Wiggins acquired it, but the car’s restoration was delayed for decades.

After 15 years of searching, Wiggins eventually sourced a new body—a Turin-made body crafted by Giovanni Farina’s factory. The restoration process, however, continued to be slow, taking another 23 years before it was completed in 1994. At this point, Wiggins gave up on putting the 166 Inter back on the road.

A New Beginning

Enter Amanda and Philip, Ferrari enthusiasts who already owned two 1966 Ferrari models: a 330 GT and a 330 GTC. After moving from Alaska to New Zealand, they discovered an advertisement about the 166 Inter. Following a lengthy six-month negotiation, they acquired the frame, engine, body, and numerous parts.

The couple entrusted the restoration of the car to a specialized workshop, and by 1997, the restoration was complete. To celebrate, an airline sponsored the transport of the restored Ferrari to Rome. From there, Amanda and Philip took the car to Emilia-Romagna, where it was showcased during Ferrari’s 50th anniversary celebration in Maranello.

Continuing the Legacy

Since its restoration, Amanda and Philip have traveled over 50,000 kilometers in their Ferrari 166 Inter, proving both their passion for the car and the outstanding quality of the restoration. Today, this remarkable Ferrari still cruises the streets of New Zealand, demonstrating that even the oldest cars can offer exceptional performance.

A Timeless Classic

The story of this Ferrari 166 Inter is a testament to Ferrari’s legacy of excellence. It’s a shining example of how passion and dedication can preserve history. As the oldest Ferrari road car still in circulation, it continues to captivate car enthusiasts worldwide, proving that with the right care, classic cars can continue to inspire awe and admiration, even decades after their creation.