I wouldn't normally begin a blog with a direct quote but since The Garage has done so and is quoting from the lyrics of a song, here goes:

I strip away the old debris, that hides a shining car
A brilliant red barchetta, from a better, vanished time
I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar
Tires spitting gravel, I commit my weekly crime...

The Garage's Gary Grant says those words are from Rush, a 1970's rock group. I'd never have known, being a jazz guy who rarely pays attention to lyrics, although for a brief period during my London ex-pat years I did operate a rehearsal hall where many of the big names came to try their stuff. Regardless, Gary's article is meant to draw attention to the 166 MM Barchetta seen here, one of only 25 made and one of the first prototypes. Enzo Ferrari, as his story relates, "was not a nostalgic man when it came to his machines. The cars were merely tools to win the race. When they were beyond repair or became obsolete, often they were simply scrapped. Either that, or they were cannibalized to keep other cars running."

This racer had several engines over its active lifespan which included Le Mans, the Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and, supposedly, a victory in the "12 Hours of Paris." Hello? I've never heard of such a race. Have you?

The 166 MM Barchetta resurfaced two years ago in Arizona after being stored for over 45 years. It was then mechanically restored by Ferrari expert Marcel Massini who chose to leave the body in as-found condition. "This machine shows each battle scar and every talented hammer blow that formed it's shape and returned that shape to original after each incident." More photos can be found at Ultimatecarpage.com. Clearly the guys in Rush had better taste in automobiles than the Beach Boys.