Could this be world's most appropriate non-original door?

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If we asked you about the origins of this cut-down door, would you believe it was from a Ferrari? It certainly would not be our first thought, reminiscing those of Morgans or TR2/3s. This is, however, the ultra low door of a 1953 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta. Quite a car. Recently, it has come to the market and the seller states: “While there have been faster, sleeker, more exotic Ferraris that have conquered the great races of the world, it is the tiny, jewel-like 166 that truly marked the intersection of Scuderia Ferrari the race team and Ferrari the constructor.”

With a mere 46 examples built between 1948 and 1953, the 166 is rare, but those 46 cars were entered in – and won - a tremendous amount of races. And this low door one is a typical example, being entered in any possible competition in its early days. Back then it was a coupe with body by Vignale. From Coupe de Spa race to Coupe des Alpes rally and from the Grand Prix de de Sao Paolo to the Liege-Rome-Liege. Original owner Jacques Herzet, of Brussels, Belgium, campaigned it like no other, with an armada of podium placings.

But in fact he campaigned it so hard that the fragile coupe body began to wear out not even after only a year’s time. Enter local carrozzeria Oblin, who were given the task of making it look fresh again, but also considerably lighter and thus more competitive. They did just that, and decided to get rid of the roof and use as little as possible material for the rest, hence the miniature doors. Just as well as a Perspex screen. The revamped car was shown at the 1955 Brussels Motor Show in a highly unusual matte charcoal colour scheme, accented by a deep red stripe.

Now, despite its show stopping appearance, Mr. Herzet returned to competition at numerous venues across Europe until 1957 when it was sold. It remained in Belgium until 1966 when it found its way to the US. The second restoration took place in the new Millennium; a very different time for Ferrari afficionados. The then-owner never the less decided to keep the Oblin body, since it was not only pretty, but also since the most of the car’s racing history had been made wearing that. See it here with its original Vignale coupe body and here with mister Herzet when it was just re-clad as a roadster by Oblin. What would you choose?

(Words editor, picture Hyman Ltd.)

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