Heartbeat of a Legend: Ferrari Colombo 166 Corsa Piston
This piston, sourced from the legendary 1947 Ferrari V12 Colombo 166 Corsa engine, is a prized piece from the collection. Acquired from a renowned American engine builder and racing champion active during the late 1960s and early 1970s, based in Long Island, New York, it embodies a rich legacy of speed and craftsmanship.
The very first commercial Ferrari ever sold by Enzo Ferrari was chassis no. 002C — the 166 Corsa Spyder Tipo. In late 1947, this pioneering machine found its first owner in Gabriela Besana, marking the beginning of Ferrari’s journey from racing legend to road‑going icon.
SETAUKET The first automobile constructed under the prestigious Ferrari marque – a 1947 Corsa Spider – is being fully restored at Grand Prix SSR, a Ferrari dealership and restoration shop on route 25A.
Grand Prix has worked on the car for more than two years, rebuilding the power train, rejuvenating the body and doing all the other operations required for the total reconstruction of a classic motor vehicle.
“Because of Ferrari’s stature in the automotive industry, our work on 002 is probably the most important restoration ever attempted anywhere in the world”, said Ted Wenz, head of Grand Prix’s race engine rebuilding enterprise.
Mr. Nowak subsequently brokered the sale of 002 to an internationally prominent businessman, who, not surprisingly, decided to allow Grand Prix to restore it. The owner of 002 requested that his identity not be revealed.
Grand prix SSR was established in 1977 by J.P. McAllister, of the McAllister tugboat family. Mr. McAllister maintains a collection of European cars at his Belle Terre home, and, although in is 70’s, he quite successfully drove both Ferraris and Maserati’s in road racing competitions until his retirement two years ago. When he first conceived the idea for Grand Prix, he had in mind an automotive firm that could not only sell and service Ferraris but also restore them.
Restoring 002 has presented its share of problems. “Part of the charm and the art of older Italian cars is that they were all hand built,” Mr. Wenz said. “However, that fact leads to them all being different in some ways, and that makes no end to headaches in trying to determine their original configuration”.
