The Ferrari 166 - the number assigned to a Ferrari model traditionally corresponds to the capacity of each individual cylinder - was the direct evolution of the first 125 (fitted with a 60° V12) from 1947. The engine of that early car, designed by Gioacchino Colombo had firstly been transformed into a 159 and then with the 166 taken to the limit of the two litre class.
To pay homage their first major success at the 1948 Mille Miglia, Ferrari upgraded their successful 166 Sport and made the 166 MM. These contributed more than any other previous model, scoring many of Ferrari's first international victories and made the company as a great manufacturer of sports cars.
All 166s sat on a dedicated chassis designed by Ferrari but produced by specialized Gilco in Italy.
A total of 46 Ferrari 166 MM were built in two series in both berlinetta and spider (barchetta) versions: 33 cars of the first series and 13 of the second. The majority of them were bodied by Carrozzeria Touring. This chassis is one of four Vignale bodied. All Vignale Ferrari's consist of very many body-panels that form themselves to the Ferrari-chassis that is underneath it. Almost all designs originate from Giovanni Michelotti and were built in aluminium. The designer Michelotti worked closely with Alfredo Vignale, one of the newest coachbuilders in Turin; the pair had worked together at Stabilimenti Farina.

During the season 1953 this car won the 12 Heures internationales d’Hyères and came second at the first 12 Heures internationales de Reims.