Christie's Groundbreakers Icons of Our Time: Ferrari
Letters negotiating the sale of the iconic Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa
Ferrari has received an enquiry from Polledry about purchasing a car, but has been slow to reply as 'I was busy preparing for the XVth Mille Miglia' (which was won by Clemente Biondetti in a Ferrari 166 S). He asks 'in what form you intend to export the car from Italy: temporarily, to participate in sporting events, or permanently for personal use ... please also tell me the type of bodywork you want, or if you are simply interested in receiving the chassis?'. On 20 May, Ferrari writes again with details of a car to meet Polledry's requirements: 'I would therefore propose a "Ferrari 166 Inter" which will allow you to take part in international sports category races and by removing the electrical system, mudguards and spare wheel, in those of Formula 2'. Ferrari sends a catalogue (no longer present) for the car, noting that the delivery time is 45 days, road- ready, delivery at Modena, and the price 6.25m lire. As for export, if Polledry or a member of his family has a residence in Italy, he can export it temporarily, but otherwise taxes will be due to the French government.
Letters negotiating the sale of the iconic Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa
After working in partnership with Alfa Romeo from 1929 to 1939, and with his factory having been repurposed for war production during World War 2, Enzo Ferrari established Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947: he achieved the company's first victory in the Gran Premio di Roma that year with the first car to bear the Ferrari name, the 125 S, which had evolved into the 166 S by the end of the year. The car under discussion here is a 166 Spyder Corsa, which was distinguished by its motorcycle-style mudguards and its adaptability between road racing and Formula 2 (for which the mudguards and headlights would be removed): only eight units were produced in 1947-48 (Ferrari also produced a touring version under the name 166 Inter, but the name 'Inter' was initially used equally for racing and touring models). Rather than proceeding with an order for a new car, the recipient of this letter, Victor Polledry (or Polledri, 1893-1975), went on to acquire the 166 Spyder Corsa chassis number 004 C which had originally been supplied to Soave Besana (one of Ferrari's first customers): perhaps in response to Enzo Ferrari's recommendation, Polledry bought 004C in July 1949 through a Milan-based company, and he competed in it in over a dozen races in France in the years 1949 to 1957. The car, which still survives, is thought to be the oldest complete Ferrari in existence: it sold for €7.5m at auction in May 2025./
Letters negotiating the sale of the iconic Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa
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Letters negotiating the sale of the iconic Ferrari 166
Spyder Corsa
ENZO FERRARI (1898-1988)
Two typed letters signed ('Ferrari') to [Victor] Polledry, Modena, 11
and 20 May 1948.
In Italian. Two pages, 237 x 170mm and 268 x 208mm, on paper
with printed heading of Ferrari automobili.
Negotiations for the sale of a Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa - thought
to be the oldest complete Ferrari in existence.
£20,000-30,000
US$27,000-39,000
€23,000-34,000
PROVENANCE:
Victor Polledry (1893-1975), thence by descent;
sold to Mr. Pierre Corbeau until 2023;
when acquired by the present owner.
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