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Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53

Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/531953
Debut1953
EngineV12
Power160 PS
Top speed230 km/h
Units built1
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The Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53, also called "Smontabile Spider", is a competition car designed by Carlo Abarth in 1953 for driver Giulio Musitelli. It is a conversion of his Ferrari 166 MM and the only Abarth conversion of a Ferrari ever built; the body was styled by Franco Scaglione. Its first race was the Targa Florio, where the car finished in 21st place. On January 3, 1954, it placed second in the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix. At the 1954 Mille Miglia it failed to finish, after which it received Scaglietti coachwork.

Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.

Good to know

  • The car was created from Giulio Musitelli's 166 MM, chassis 0262M, and was completed on March 14, 1953.
  • On its first outing, the Targa Florio on May 14, 1953, it ran under starting number 28 for Scuderia Guastalla and finished 21st out of 45 cars; only 22 finished.
  • At the 10-hour night race in Messina on July 26, 1953, Giulio Musitelli took first place, according to the source his best result; Eugenio Castellotti was involved in the entry.
  • After the 1954 Mille Miglia, the Abarth body was replaced with one by Scaglietti, presumably due to a lack of spare parts; later, the original was returned to the car.
Learn moreRacing career · Subsequent history · Engineering

Racing career

After the Targa Florio and Messina, Musitelli drove to second place on January 3, 1954, at the Grande Prêmio da Cidade de Rio de Janeiro. The final race with the Abarth body was the Mille Miglia on May 2, 1954, bearing start number 608; the car did not finish. Afterward, the body was replaced by one from Carrozzeria Scaglietti, presumably due to a lack of spare parts.

Subsequent history

In 1955, Luigi Chinetti brought the car to the USA and sold it to Gary Laughlin, who finished fourth at the Palm Springs Preliminaries on December 3, 1955. In 1956, it went to Lorin McMullen, who drove six more races with it. In 1979, it was sold again; later, it received its original Abarth body back. In 2007, RM Auctions auctioned it for 850000 dollars; today, it is on display.

Engineering

According to the Italian table, the car features a 60° V12 with bore and stroke of 60 × 58.8 mm and 1995.02 cm³. It delivered 160 PS at 7200/min, and the five-speed transmission propelled the lightweight car of just 545 kg to 230 km/h. The fuel tank held 90 liters.

Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.

Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53

When was the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 raced?

The Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 made its racing debut in 1953.

How much power does the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 have?

Power of the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53: 160 PS.

What engine does the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 have?

Engine of the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53: 60° V12.

How fast is the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53?

Top speed of the Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53: 230 km/h.

How many Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 were built?

The Ferrari-Abarth 166 MM/53 is a one-off.

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