Ferrari 330GT 2+2 Coupe, 1965
Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I
Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I•
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Chassis No.: 5401
Engine No.: 5401
Estimate: US$230,000 - US$280,000 USD
- 3,967cc SOHC V12 Engine
- 3 Weber Carburetors
- 300bhp at 7,000rpm
- 4-Speed Manual Transmission with Overdrive
- Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Delivered new to Italy
- Documented by its Massini report
- Recent comprehensive mechanical service
The 250 GTE provided the basis for its replacement: the 330 GT 2+2 introduced in January 1964. Pininfarina was once again entrusted with the styling, adopting of a four-headlamp frontal treatment that reflected the tastes of Ferrari's most important export market, the USA. The 330 GT's tubular chassis was 50mm longer in the wheelbase than before, which made conditions less cramped for the rear passengers. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while at the back there was a live axle/semi-elliptic set-up. Improvements to the discs-all-round braking system saw separate hydraulic circuits adopted for front and rear.
Nevertheless, Ferrari had not lost sight of the requirement to offered the ultimate driving experience, despite the increase in bulk necessitated by the 330 GT's additional accommodation. The 330 GT's Colombo-type, 60-degree, V12 engine had first appeared in the 330 America (effectively a big-bore 250 GTE 2+2) in 1963. Displacing 3,967cc, the single-overhead-camshaft, all-alloy unit was good for 300-plus horsepower, an output sufficient to propel the 330 GT to a maximum velocity of 152mph (245km/h) making it, when introduced, the fastest road-going Ferrari.
Equipped at first with a four-speeds-plus-overdrive gearbox, the 330 GT gained a five-speed transmission in mid-1965 and later that year had its four-headlight front end replaced by a two-lamp arrangement, these later cars being known as the 'Series 2'. By the time production ceased in 1967, Ferrari had built 1,080 330 GTs, of which 455 were to 'Series 2' specification. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This rare and elegant Series 1 four-headlight 330GT 2+2 was assembled in December of 1963 and finished in the stunning color combination it wears today of Bleu Sera over Beige hides.
Delivered in January of '64 to the Rome-based Ferrari dealer Gioacchino Vari, it was sold new to someone from Catania, Sicily and assigned the Italian registration number "CT 117118". The car returned to the factory for service twice in November of '65 showing under 10,000km and again in February of '65 with 15,567km. In April 1965, s/n 5401 was sold to someone from Milan and registered under "MI A 06640".
Sent back to the factory again in September of '66 with 17,382km, the Milanese ownership was brief as the car was sold to an enthusiast in Bergamo in late 1966 and registered with the plates "BG 144713" in December of that year shortly before again dropping by the factory for service, now showing 19,553km. In the late 1970s the car left Italy for the United States. By mid-1987 the Ferrari was for sale in San Francisco and was purchased by a Sicilian woman living in the US as a gift for her lucky husband. The couple would retain the car until the current owner acquired more recently.
While in the care of the prior owners, the car was repainted in its original color and the interior was redone. In the care of the current owner the Ferrari has received extensive recent maintenance. New wires and sparkplugs, five new tires, and a new clutch have been fitted; the fuel system was flushed and the carburetors, distributors, and brake system were rebuilt; and the entire engine bay was cleaned and detailed with the cherry on the cake being a compression and leak down test—both of which returned passing results. Now ready to move on to the next lucky owner, this beautiful blue tourer would be a welcome addition to just about any garage.
This car is titled with the VIN 330GT5401
