In 1959, Ferrari embarked on their four-seater journey, starting with the iconic Ferrari 250 GTE, often called the Ferrari 250 GT 2+2. This model laid the foundation for subsequent developments, succeeded by the 330 Americana, which was constructed on a similar chassis but featured a more powerful engine. The Ferrari 330 GT, also known as the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, emerged as a larger rendition designed to surpass the Ferrari 330 Americana as a grand tourer offering greater cabin space than the restricted interiors of its predecessors. Ferrari's long-standing relationship and partnership with Pininfarina led to the world-renowned Italian coachbuilder making masterpieces for Ferrari, and the Ferrari 330 GT was one of them. As with all of Ferrari's four-seaters before and after, the engine in the Ferrari 330 GT is at the front, and the hood opens to reveal a 4.0-liter Tipo V12, making 300 horsepower at the rear wheels. Four-seater Ferraris remain iconic in Ferrari's history and highly sought after in the automotive world as they are as rare as they come. Older models such as the Ferrari 330 GT are the most coveted, especially by collectors, due to their high appreciation rates, and you never know; someone might make a higher offer than you bought one for. On average, Ferrari 330 GTs sell for around $300,000, but prices can go higher or lower depending on several factors, such as the car's specifications and year of manufacture. For example, units sold with air conditioning and power steering sell for much higher.
It was never among Enzo Ferrari's goals to build four-seater cars as it was never his goal to use V8 and V6 engines in cars. However, to fund Ferrari's racing team, he had to transition to grand tourers, which paved the way for Ferrari's first mass-produced four-seater grand tourer, the Ferrari 250 GT 2+2. The succeeding Ferrari 330 Americana was built on the 250 GT's chassis but with a new 4.0-liter engine that Ferrari carried over to the Ferrari 330 GT, the core subject of this article. Ferrari unveiled the Ferrari 330 GT in January 1964 at the Brussels Show first with dual headlights on each side, but this proved to be too controversial despite the car getting positive criticism from journalists for its practicality, spacious cabin, and DNA from Ferrari's desire for speed with its all-new high-performance V12. The headlights stirred controversy and still do today since they defied Ferrari's and Pininfarina's design principles. They took away from the sensuous lines of the Ferrari 330 model lineup, which most didn't believe was justifiable despite the Ferrari 330 GT being a new model in the range. Ferrari felt the heat and later reverted to the mono headlight style in the Series II, built from 1965 to 1967 with a production number of 455. The Series I Ferrari 330 GT, produced between 1964 and 1965, has a higher production number at 629 as it still sold well and even better than its predecessors, despite its design critics. Between 1964 and 1967, Ferrari manufactured a total of 1,089 Ferrari 330 GTs at their Maranello facility in Italy.
With 300 horsepower and 246 lb.ft from its 4.0-liter V12 engine, the Ferrari 330 GT could rival most sports cars during its time despite having a longer wheelbase and more weight. The 4.0-liter V12 benefited from a longer engine block with increased bore centers along with other upgrades such as three twin-choke carburetors, a rear-engine mounted distributor ignition system, and an external spark plug arrangement, hence the power increase from the older Colombo short-block design. Initially, Ferrari used a 4-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission with overdrive in the Ferrari 330 GT but switched to a 5-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission with a final drive through a propeller shaft to the rigid rear axle. The 5-speed is only found in a few Series I Ferrari 330 GTs, but all Series II have the 5-speed manual and a hydraulic clutch upgraded from the mechanical clutch on the 4-speed manual transmission. In spite of tipping the scales at 3,042 pounds, the Ferrari 33 0GT did 0-60 mph in an impressive time of 6.8 seconds and achieved a top speed of 145 mph, which is well in line with other Ferrari 330s. The weight increase is mostly due to its increased wheelbase and body dimensions to accommodate the rear seats and occupants.
Inside, the Ferrari 330 GT epitomizes old money luxury, boasting a cabin adorned with leather and veneer wood and a few gleaming chrome accents characteristic of Ferraris in its era. The veneer wood dashboard hosts an array of gauges on the instrument cluster and in the middle, evoking a sense of sophistication and control. For units with an AC system, the chrome vent and AC control surrounds complement other chrome bits used extensively, such as on the Ferrari logo on the steering, gear shifter, door handles, and ashtray on the center console. On the topic of the center console, the Ferrari 330 GT was among the first to use a full center console extending from the firewall to the rear seats, unlike some older models with a center console that left an open space between the driver and passenger footwells. The center console extends from the dashboard housing cassette switches and a cigarette lighter and goes to rise onto the rear seats, acting as an armrest. Like most classic Ferraris, Leather was used extensively in the Ferrari 330 GT. The front and rear seats, which are well-bolstered and padded, are covered in leather, and the center console is also covered with leather to match the seats. Leather extends to the door cards, roof liner, and door handles. The marriage of elegance and functionality is evident in every aspect, making the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 not just a car but an embodiment of timeless sophistication rarely found in today's cars.
The Ferrari 300 GT's exterior appeal mostly takes after other models in the 330 lineup. However, the initial production units produced between 1964 and 1965 had a front fascia that stirred some controversy. To date, many Ferrari enthusiasts and historians insist that the dual headlights on each side of the design took away the traditional Ferrari look and did not look like other models in the 330 lineup, taking away the 330 GT's authenticity. Ferrari reverted to using mono headlamps in 1965 in the Series II Ferrari 300 GT, and according to some sources, Series II 300 GTs sell for more than Series I 330 GTs. Nonetheless, there is a group that prefers the quad headlamps, and if we were to give an opinion on them, they don't deserve the controversy. From other angles, the Ferrari 300 GT looks stunning. The long sweeping hood gives it a commanding look, and on the side profile, the 300 GT's low stance is complemented by wire wheels, which are a must-have on any classic Ferrari. The captivating allure extends to the rear end, where the 300 GT's elegant lines converge at the rear bumper with sleek taillights incorporating the turn signals. As a final touch, the 300 GT has a chrome rear bumper bar and a quad-tip exhaust that sings beautifully at 7,000 rpm.
Towards the end of the production of the Ferrari 330 GT, Ferrari installed power steering on some Series II units, which helped enhance the car's maneuverability. The power steering system replaced the worm and sector steering system, which in the 1960s was getting phased out by most manufacturers in favor of various types of power steering. Additionally, to enhance braking performance in the Ferrari 330 GT, the hydraulic braking system is split between the two axles instead of being divided per side. This allows the brakes to operate independently on each axle, offering precise control and enhancing safety in emergency braking situations. Lastly, the Ferrari 330 GT got adjustable shock absorbers that improved handling and allowed drivers to change the car's suspension settings as they saw fit, a simple yet revolutionary design that gave the Ferrari 330 GT an upper hand against its competitors.
The market value of a Ferrari 330 GT can vary significantly based on several factors, including the car's condition, mileage, originality, and any modifications. Also, the Series of the car matters since Series II 330 GTs can sometimes demand a higher price. On average, the value of a Ferrari 300 GT is usually around $70,000, which should give you a budget figure of when to expect when on the hunt for one. If you're in the market for a Ferrari 330 GT, you might find one listed on Exotic Car Trader, so ensure you watch out for our Ferrari listings. Also, we list all sorts of classic cars, so give us a call if any of Exotic Car Trader's classic car listings entice you.
Emerging from a lineage of distinguished four-seater grand tourers, the Ferrari 330 GTS model epitomized luxury and sophistication and redefined performance in its era. From its iconic V12 engine to its design evolution controversy, the Ferrari 330 GT encapsulated the essence of Ferrari's and Pininfarina's automotive artistry and engineering prowess.
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Today, the Ferrari 330 GT continues to be hailed among the best Ferraris from the 60s, and its low production number makes it a coveted treasure for car collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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