Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé Ghia

The Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé Ghia #049S was originally designed by Giovanni Michelotti and bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia. As one of the limited-production 166 Inter models, this right-hand-drive coupé played a role in establishing Ferrari’s reputation in the luxury sports car market during the late 1940s and early 1950s. During its early years, the vehicle was owned by Inico Bernabei of Rome, Italy, before later passing to an individual known as Jazzetta from Naples. On April 1, 1951, the car participated in the XI Giro di Sicilia, driven by Pucci and Faraco under race number 413. However, it failed to qualify. At one point, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, son of company founder Enzo Ferrari, crashed the car into a factory wall during a test drive. Although Dino survived, the vehicle sustained significant damage, marking a pivotal moment in its history.Rather than restoring the original Ghia body, a decision was made to rebody the car in the style of a Touring Superleggera Spider. This transformation converted #049S into an open-top roadster, employing the lightweight construction techniques pioneered by Touring. The redesign not only enhanced its aesthetics but also improved its performance characteristics, aligning it more closely with Ferrari’s racing heritage. After its reconfiguration, the car changed hands multiple times, eventually making its way to the United States. Among its notable owners was R. Costa of San Diego, California, who later sold the original engine separately to Dave Selway of Danville. Over the years, the car was owned by collectors such as Stanley Nowak of New York, Ed Bond of Connecticut, and Ralph C. Welch. At one stage, its original engine was installed into Ferrari 0079S, further adding to its complex provenance. In 1975, the car was acquired by Ronald Walden of Downey, California, who installed an engine sourced from a 250 GT Boano. That same year, it suffered damage in a garage fire, necessitating further restoration. By the mid-1980s, the car was in the possession of Ferrari collectors Charles Betz and Fred Peters of Orange, California. In the 1990s, the original engine was extracted from 0079S and reunited with 0049S, restoring its mechanical authenticity. Around this period, the vehicle underwent additional modifications, receiving a body inspired by 0044M, resembling a Touring Barchetta. The restored vehicle made several notable concours appearances in the early 2000s, including the FCA Annual Meet Concours in Dallas in 2001, Concorso Italiano in 2001, and the FCA National Concours in Los Angeles in 2002. It continued to be showcased at prestigious events, winning the Continental Cup at the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea in 2008. In 2010, the car was presented at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction, where it was sold for $753,500, including the buyer’s premium. The Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé Ghia #049S stands as a testament to Ferrari’s early engineering and design adaptability. Despite its accident history and subsequent transformations, the vehicle remains an enduring symbol of Ferrari’s commitment to performance, craftsmanship, and innovation in the realm of high-performance automobiles.