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Ferrari spent their inaugural year racing three prototypes in and around Italy. They started with a couple Type 125s, created a single larger 159 which then evolved into the 166 sports racing car and Spyder Corsa for 1948.

Spyder Corsas raced at events like the Mille Miglia, Targo Florio and the Paris 12-Hour Race in which they took victory. They also participated in many local Formula 2 (F2) races such as Bari, Mantua, Naples, Florence and Garda.

The first Spyder Corsa was actually converted from chassis 002, the sole 159, in late December of 1947. This included boring and stroking the original 159 engine from 1497cc to 1922cc, with a single cylinder having 166cc. This larger engine was used in a variety of different model types, body styles and in different states of tune. The standard Sport model produced 90 bhp, while the high-compression F2 competition engine offered 130.

Bodywork for the Corsa Spyder was multipurpose and featured detachable fenders to meet various criteria. The basic body design was similar to other cigar-shaped forumula two cars of the period

Like the earlier models, the Spyder Corsa used a chassis supplied by specialist firm Gilco Autotelai. These used two oval tubes for primary support that kicked up over the rear axle. At both ends, they were attached by cross supports and two bent pipes that formed an X section in the middle. When Colombo returned to Ferrari in early 1948, the chasis was modified to be shorter and the X section was substituted by a bolt-in center brace. These second generation chassis were used by two SWB Corsa Spyders and the 166 MM.

Spyder Corsas were the first Ferraris sold as customer cars. A total of seven cars have been documented that include 002, 004C, 006C, 012I and 016I long wheel base (LWB).¹ The remaining two cars, 008I and 014I were built on the SWB chassis.¹

Chassis and Sales

002I-Our feature car, was the first 166 Spyder Corsa and has commonly been referred to as 002C when infact the stampings only refer to 002.

The racing history of 002C is unclear. It is believed that this 166, started life as the only Tipo 159 and raced during the 1947 Turin Grand Prix. If this is the case, then chassis 002C is the Turin Grand Prix victor as driven by Raymond Sommer. Shortly after the race, Ferrari then converted the car to 166 specification and sold it to the Besana brothers, the first Ferrari customers ever.

002C was offered for sale at Gstaad's Ferrari auction ni 2002 by Bonham & Brooks. They described it "as it is one of the first cars to bear the Ferrari name and the first Ferrari customer car, it offers great historical significance." At the event it failed to meet the reserve price with a bid of 1,086,000 CHF. It was later offered at Christie’s Monterey Jet Center Auction where Jim Glickenhaus picked it up for $700,000 USD excluding premiums.

014I-This special Ferrari, chassis 014 I, started it's life as a Tipo 166 Spyder Corsica with coachwork by Anasaloni. It experienced an extensive race season in which the car never suffered any major damage. In 1952 the car was privately sold with the new owner having the bodywork redone. Carrozzeria Scaglietti was hired and fitted chassis 014i with a unique TR style body in 1955. It was offered at the 2002 Monterey Auctions but did not sell with a bid of $830 000 USD.

Sources & Further Reading

1. Colombo, Gioachino. Origins of Ferrari Legend. Haynes Publishing Group, 1987.
2. Muller, Michael and Nathan Beehl. 125 and 159. Ferrarichat.com. 2006.