1949 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta heads for the auction block

A 1949 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta will headline RM Auctions' Automobiles of Arizona event, Jan. 20-21 in Phoenix.

This 166 MM, serial number 0024 M, was originally commissioned for the 1949 Paris motor show, where it was shown in yellow and blue, the racing colors of Argentina.

The car made its racing debut at the 1950 Mar del Plata in Argentina, where it was victorious. The car was also raced by well-known female driver Aprile Palmer in the 1951 Mille Miglia.

This racer has been fully restored and fitted with original components, including chassis, numbers-matching engine, gearbox and differential. It is now painted Ferrari red.

The car is considered one of the rarest and most historic Ferraris, and it is eligible to run in nearly any historic Ferrari event because it is an original entrant in the Mille Miglia.

Ten other Ferraris will join the 0024 M at the RM auction, including baseball hall of famer Reggie Jackson's 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder, a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe and a fully certified 1966 Ferrari Superfest Series I.

The auction will also offer other notable cars, including:

-- 1933 Packard Twelve Sport Phaeton by Dietrich

-- 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Three-Position Drophead Coupe

-- 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car

-- 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra

By Brad Constant