The first Portuguese Ferrari

This was the first Ferrari bought by a Portuguese and though it wasn’t supposed to race, destiny called. Campaigned in Portugal and Angola, it grew from a “cavallino”, into a hot rod stallion..

Picture yourself in Portugal, in 1950. The world was just rising from the global conflict, but the tiny seaside country managed to step away from it, opting strategically, for a neutral position. Portugal had been living under an autocratical government from 1933, which admittedly helped rising its economy from the miserable condition that resulted from WWI. Nevertheless, it was still a poor, old-fashioned country, living mostly from agriculture and its colonial exploits, where only half the population could read. There was a stark contrast between most of the territory and the two biggest cities, Lisbon and Porto.

It was around the latter that most national industries grew rapidly, and where most wealthy industrialists lived. The history of Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta, chassis #0056M, begins with one of them: Mr. José Barbot, who bought the most important racing car of the moment just for pure recreational pleasure, with no intention to compete. It was almost as if someone, today, purchased a 499P Hypercar for the weekend drives.

Of course, things were much different then, but, to put it in context, the previous year, a similar car (#0008M), had won the Mille Miglia on its debut, driven by Clemente Biondetti and Ettore Salani, and went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans driven by Luigi Chinetti and Peter Mitchell-Thomson (the first of nine overall victories at Le Mans for Ferrari), and also the 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps, again with Chinetti sharing the drive with Jean Lucas. It was the only car ever to win those three races. The 166 MM was also the first car to assert Ferrari’s authority as a racing car manufacturer.

At the time, the quick domination by Maranello’s brand may have surprised most enthusiasts, even considering Enzo’s success during his years running the Scuderia, but it sure wasn’t a matter of luck. Throughout WWII, while he had been producing machine tools, “Il Drake” was using his spare time to plan an assault on motorsport. He had decided, from the start, that a V12 engine would be his fundamental weapon. From a technical standpoint, despite the added complexity, there were good reasons for that choice, but Enzo was a man who understood the importance of a statement, and using a V12 was quite a statement. One that would set Ferrari apart from his direct rivals, who were all using engines from four to eight cylinders.

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The factory spec says peak power comes at a staggering 7200rpm! For an engine built 70 years ago, it’s simply amazing.
By the early 50’s, although it was still Colombo’s concept, the V12 had been much improved by the contributions of Giuseppe Busso and Aurelio Lampredi, both very critical of the original design. It’s a wonderful piece of engineering as well as the most glorious musical instrument known to man.

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Going through the gears, feeling the power, watching the blurry landscape over the scarlet louvered bonnet, is so overwhelming and evocative that I’m sure these moments will stay with me forever.
Those who still question why vintage Ferraris are so valuable, clearly never lived this. Moreover, driving one with racing history is like being invited to add new pages to a famous book. I’d like to think that by writing these words I become part of #0056M’s history, but I’m privileged enough to know it makes part of mine.

The complete article was originally published in Tazio Magazine
Photos by Manuel Portugal