Ferrari 166 Inter Touring Aerlux

The Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta Touring chassis 0047S, completed in 1950, is a distinctive example of early Ferrari road cars, notable for its use of Carrozzeria Touring’s patented Superleggera construction and rare Aerlux plexiglas roof system. The Aerlux, a panoramic roof made of molded plexiglas, was an innovation designed by Touring to bring light and openness to closed-bodied sports cars. Though more commonly seen on Alfa Romeos, Lancias, and Fiats bodied by Touring, its application on this Ferrari marks it as particularly unusual and desirable. This feature, combined with the lightweight tubular frame and aluminum panels of the Superleggera body, made 0047S technically and stylistically advanced for its time. The car made its public debut at the 1950 Turin Motor Show, although period sources remain inconclusive as to whether it was 0047S or sister chassis 027S that occupied the stand. Shortly after, it was delivered to its first owner, Ing. Luigi Pomini of Varese. In 1953, the car returned to the factory where it received performance upgrades, including a set of triple Weber DCF carburetors. It later passed into the hands of Bruno Martiguoni, who reportedly left the car behind in Morocco in 1956. Resurfacing in the United States in the late 1950s, it was acquired by a U.S. Air Force officer and shipped to Omaha, Nebraska. Architect Jim Nicas became its next known owner in 1961. After passing through several collectors and undergoing restoration, including a return to its original dark blue color scheme, 0047S participated in the Mille Miglia revival in 2013, driven by Peter Carlino and Robert Kauffman.