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1948 Ferrari 166 MM Zagato Panoramica

Zagato and Ferrari’s associations began at Alfa Romeo, when Zagato’s light weight aluminum bodies helped Alfa during their most dominant period in history. After Enzo Ferrari left Alfa as race driver, and then later as head of the racing team, he started manufacturing cars under his own name which won races from their onset. Several customers requested Zagato bodies for their Ferrari, and this, chassis 0018M, marks the first Ferrari-Zagato collaboration.

Not only was this Zagato’s first Ferrari, it was Ferrari’s first coupe and Gioacchino Colombo, one of Ferrari’s consultants, collaborated with Zagato to reach the final design. Called the Panoramica, the coupe was a thoroughly modern design and had a very curious greenhouse, with Plexiglas windows that curved with the roof.

Zagato’s coupe was built on Ferrari’s 166 MM chassis which was an upgraded version of the 166 S which won the Mille Miglia in 1948. Zagato was very enthusiastic about adapting his own ideas to this successful chassis and his awkward coupe debuted at the Senigalla Circuit in 1949 at the hands of owner Antonio Stagnoli. He later won the Coppa Intereuropa in 1950 in it but retired at the Mille Miglia during the same year.

After the Mille, 0018M disappeared, and returned as a completely different beast. Stagnoli requested that Zagato remove his unique body and replace it with a very unstylish Spider Corsa chassis with a cigar-shaped body and cycle fenders. Stagnoli achieved a lot of success with 0018 as a lighter, competition car and used it until it became uncompetitive. Afterwards, 0018M was lost, including its original body.

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type Racing Car
released at 1949 Circuito di Senigallia
built at Milan, Italy
coachbuilder Zagato
production 1
engine Aluminum Alloy 60 Degree V12
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
valvetrain SOHC 2 Valves / Cyl
displacement 1995 cc / 121.7 in³
bore 60 mm / 2.36 in
stroke 58.8 mm / 2.31 in
compression 10.0:1
power 104.4 kw / 140.0 bhp @ 6600 rpm
specific output 70.18 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 215.38 bhp per tonne
torque 158.63 nm / 117 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm
body / frame Aluminum Body over Steel Ladder-Type Chassis
driven wheels RWD
front brakes Hydrualic Drums
rear brakes Hydrualic Drums
steering Worm & Sector
f suspension Indpendant w/Transverse Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Dampers
r suspension Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydrualic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight 650 kg / 1433 lbs
wheelbase 2200 mm / 86.6 in
front track 1250 mm / 49.2 in
rear track 1200 mm / 47.2 in
length 3607 mm / 142.0 in
width 1524 mm / 60.0 in
height 1067 mm / 42.0 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual