1964 Ferrari 330 GT
Seller's description
The Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I made its debut at the Brussels Salon in January 1964, proceeding its earlier ‘250 2+2 GTE' and ‘330 America' cousins. The ‘Series I' was much more than a re-engined 250, it was a bolder, more distinctive incarnation in both looks and performance.
Pininfarina was once again entrusted with the styling, their vision of Ferrari's evolution drew muse from the cars' predecessors, yet included some more daring design elements. A sharper nose and tail, a wide grille, and the espousal of a characteristic quad headlight arrangement, all of which reflected the tastes of Ferrari's most important export market, the USA. Although some criticised its styling, the 'Series I' four-headlight 330GT has become truly evocative of 1960's fashion, lauded both for its individuality and Pininfarina's purity of design.
The fantastic Gioacchino Colombo designed high output V-12 engine was fitted to all 300GT series and produced an impressive 300bhp, adorned with triple Weber carburettors, this combination taking the vehicle from 0-100km in an astounding 6.3 seconds, making it the fastest road going Ferrari of the time.
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Ordered on the 9th of July 1964 through Maranello Concessionaires Ltd, the car offered here is one of only 49 right hand drive examples produced and was later delivered to its first owner on the 9th of September 1964, as depicted by the bill of sale and order form. The car appears to have been meticulously maintained from new, with service and invoice records present from 1965 and the early 1970s, showing extensive upkeep whilst also acquiring its distinctive registration '66 DDH'.
Similarly well cared for in the 1980s, the history file shows the car received a costly engine overhaul in 1986 by Dino Services Ltd, including the fitting of a new clutch for good measure. As additional testament to the cars' history of painstaking upkeep, Dino Services Ltd went on to carry out further servicing and maintenance the following year, including a rebuild of the brake system.
66 DDH has enjoyed a varied and extensive history, and can even boast a brief weekend racing career, achieving a first in class and fourth overall at the Thruxton Bank Holiday Novice Championship on the 4th of May 1987, earning its salt as a truly nimble and great handling GT Ferrari.
Purchased by Mohamed Al Fayed as part of the Modena Engineering collection when he bought the company in 1989, 66 DDH was subject to further extensive work between August 1989 and August 1991 with receipts showing expenditure in excess of £30,000. It was during this time that the car was repainted ‘Rosso' red by Al Fayed, as was the fashion in the early 1990s. Records show conscientious upkeep of the vehicle until its departure from the collection in 1996, followed by continuing, regular care, into the early 2000s.
After being procured in 2004, the car began a sympathetic renovation by Hoyle & Fox and during subsequent years. 66 DDH was returned to its original factory interior and exterior colours of Grigio leather and Notte Bleu Metallizzato, underwent a gearbox overhaul in 2007, and a brake system rebuild in 2009.
66 DDH was purchased by the vendor in 2011 and shows a believed genuine, but unwarranted, mileage of just over 54,800. This coupled with a lifetime of diligent upkeep, means the car is presented in fine fettle and prior to the auction will be prepared and serviced by Terry Keys Ferrari Specialists.
The vibrant metallic blue paintwork is in keeping with the cars' design, accentuating the iconic shape of the early cars and is complemented by the enduring appeal of the original Borrani wire wheels. Clearly one of the fastest cars of the early-to-mid sixties era, and with only 627 cars ever made, 49 of these in RHD, the 330GT had, without doubt, very few rivals. In all, presented here today is an excellent and honest example of the car that Enzo Ferrari himself once described as his favourite. This Ferrari 330 GT Series I is certainly worthy of serious consideration given its growing desirability in the collectors market and the sensible guide price, further exemplified by its impressive history file from new.
Contact Auction House for more details.
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