Azzurro blue from new

1966 Ferrari 330 GTC

Footnotes

"At the top - at the absolute top - in the automotive enthusiasts' hierarchy of the cars of the world, there is only one. Ferrari. Is there really any question?" Fifty-plus years after Car and Driver magazine voiced that rhetorical inquiry the answer, of course, remains the same. And the car that prompted that eulogy? The Ferrari 330 GTC.

The two-seat 330 GTC debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966 and was essentially a closed version of the 275 GTS. Beneath its hood resided the 4.0-litre, 300bhp version of Ferrari's familiar 60-degree V12, as used in the 330 GT 2+2. The short (94.5" wheelbase) chassis followed Ferrari's established practice of tying together sturdy oval-section main tubes in a steel spaceframe, while the suspension was independent all round by means of wishbones and coil springs.

First introduced on a road-going Ferrari (the 275 GTB) in 1964, the rear suspension incorporated the five-speed gearbox in a transaxle, an arrangement that created an inherently better-balanced car. Much development work had concentrated on the reduction of noise levels in the cabin, which was luxuriously equipped in the best Gran Turismo manner: leather seats, electric windows and heated rear screen were standard; radio, air conditioning and Borrani wire wheels the options. With a top speed in excess of 240km/h, excellent ride comfort and sure-footed handling, Ferrari could justifiably claim the 330 GTC to be the finest of high-speed conveyances for two people and their luggage.

Ferrari 330 GTC chassis number '9333' was sent to Carrozzeria Pininfarina in Turin in September 1966 and would return to the Maranello factory for its engine installation and final assembly in November that year. The completed 330 GTC rolled out of the factory just before Christmas of 1966, finished in a striking Azzurro (blue), while the interior was trimmed in beige Connolly leather. The car was the 126th example made.

The new Ferrari was delivered through the Official Swiss Ferrari dealer, J H Keller AG in Zurich, and most likely found its first owner in that area. '9333' would return to Ferrari's Maranello factory in July 1970 for service and maintenance at the Assistenza Clienti facility, showing just over 29,000 kilometres on the clock at the time.

In the early 1970s, the 330 GTC was exported to the USA where it was owned in 1975 by an official of the American Motorcycle Association, Mr Douglas Mockett of Manhattan Beach, California. The Ferrari was still in Mr Mockett's ownership in 1979 and retained its original Azzurro livery. Advertised as 'full rebuild, mechanically excellent', the car passed to Mr Michael C Pace of Irvine, California in 1980 before relocating to Antonio, Texas in 1984 in the ownership of Mr Howard Deichen, who had it totally rebuilt and repainted black. In 1987 Mr Deichen advertised the Ferrari for sale, describing it as 'black with black interior, new engine, transmission, chrome, tinted glass, Blaupunkt Berlin and wire wheels'.

The Ferrari 330 GTC would relocate further east during the 1990s and was shown at the first annual Cavallino Classic event in Palm Beach, Florida on 22nd February 1992 by a Mr Siegle. In 1994, Classic Motors of La Jolla, California sold '9333' to Mr Barry Russinof of Miami, Florida. Nick Soprano's Motor Classic and Competition Corporation was offering the Ferrari for sale in 1995 and two years later sold it to Tom Papadopoulos's Autosport Designs. The car was then restored by Classic Coach of New Jersey and repainted red.

Advertised by Autosport Designs as 'red with tan interior, factory air conditioning, completely restored and sorted, perfect condition throughout, needs absolutely nothing', the Ferrari was sold to Mr John Kane of Coral Gables, Florida in May 1998. By late January 2000, '9333' was back with Autosport Designs, being used by Tom Papadopoulos as his personal car and advertised as 'restored approximately 5,000 miles ago'.

Owned briefly by Thomas Larkin of Nedham, New Jersey, the Ferrari passed to Anthony Agnotti of Westport, Connecticut in August 2000. In 2006 Mr Agnotti sold the car to fellow Westport resident Mayo T Smith, who commissioned Marjan Kraljevic of Vantage Motors to carry out a comprehensive two-year mechanical restoration of the car (bills and correspondence on file). It should be noted that the engine number on the cylinder block appears to have been re-stamped at some point. The Ferrari was shown by Mr Smith at the 2013 Greenwich Concours d'Élégance, and later relocated to California where it joined the Ted Gildred Collection.

In August 2019, the Ferrari was purchased by the current vendor. Red when purchased, '9333' has since been professionally repainted in its original Azzurro livery by recognised specialists Carrozzeria De Buck in Belgium, the work being completed in September 2020. The car also benefits from a partial overhaul undertaken in 2021 by Francorchamps Motors in Brussels. Bills and photographs of the aforementioned works are available and the substantial history file also contains copies of old US title certificates, a Massini Report, and numerous invoices dating back to 2000. The car comes with a US-Title and EU import taxes paid document.

Presented in truly wonderful condition both inside and out, this lovely Ferrari 330 GTC Berlinetta affords the prospect of long-distance touring in style and comfort, and would be a welcome addition to any prestigious Concours d'Élégance event.