Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 Ferrari 330 GTC
s/n 8833, engine no. 8833
Black with Black Interior

Widely regarded to be one of the best driving and most usable classic Ferraris, the 330 GTC is highly sought after today. These cars are extremely nice to drive, even in today’s traffic, because of the wide torque band provided by the 4 litre V-12 and the tractability and balance that result from the combination of the transaxle and torque tube. The cars perfectly tread the line between the classic Ferrari essence and more modern technical features such as rear-mounted 5-speed gearbox, disc brakes and independent suspension all around, and genuinely muscular powerplants. Air conditioning was also optionally available for the first time.

Because of its elegant understated lines and classic Ferrari layout the 330 GTC has emerged from years of under-appreciation. Just 600 330 GTC were constructed between 1966 and 1968. While many GTC owners have large collections of important Ferraris, their GTC will often be the choice car for driving events.

This matching numbers, early production example presents very strongly today, and was 66th example built. It was sold new in Italy to a Mr. Valla and is desirably equipped with factory air conditioning, Borrani wire wheels, and Becker Europa radio. According to its previous owner, the car remained in Italy until 1972, before passing to an owner in the United Kingdom. At this point, the metric speedometer was replaced by one reading in miles, which it retains today. The car is then reported to have come to the United States in the early 1990s where it has been enthusiastically kept. Service records back to 2000 indicate fastidious regular servicing, including rebuilt brake calipers, master cylinder, and suspension, as well as regular servicing and miscellaneous other items. In 2012, the car received a comprehensive engine service including new seals, rebuilt carburetors, and cosmetic detailing. At this time, Canepa Designs recovered the dashboard, center console, and knee pad using correct materials.

In late 2012, the car was comprehensively serviced by Norbert Hofer’s Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach, California at a cost of $23,013.50. This included new tires, new clutch, new pressure plate, new clutch master and slave cylinders, rebuilt alternator, rebuilt starter, driveshaft support bearing, and many other components. The rear main seal was also replaced, the carburtors adjusted and correctly set up, the fuel pump rebuilt, the oil temperature gauge repaired, the water temperature sender repaired and many other items addressed. The car comes to Fantasy Junction from an impressive collection that also includes a 300SL Gullwing, Carrera RS 2.7, and a 250 Lusso.


The car makes an excellent cosmetic impression and is stunning in black on black with the Borrani wire wheels. The body is straight and displays good panel fit. The paintwork was done to very good standards and remains in excellent condition with only a handful of small blemishes. The chrome is very good to excellent, with the occasional light surface scuff, and light pitting. The lights and glass are excellent, with what appears to be the original front windscreen, along with correct twin stalk Carello windscreen wiper inserts. The rear windscreen has minor delamination at the bottom. The headlamps are Cibiés and are in excellent shape. The tires were recently replaced and are Michelin XWXs.

The interior also makes an excellent impression. The leather has some patina but makes a strong impression overall. There are some creases but no major cracks or tears. The red carpets are excellent, though the leather heel pad under the driver’s feet shows some wear. The door panels, dashboard, console, and headliner are all excellent and correctly presented. The wood shows the correct semi-gloss finish and the steering wheel is in beautiful condition, as are the gauges and controls. The sun visors are somewhat puffy and both dome lights work.

The engine compartment is clean and nicely detailed, although not quite to show standards. Certainly its cleanliness and overall presentation is well above average for a car that is driven and enjoyed regularly. A September 2014 inspection by Patrick Ottis revealed that some details are incorrect such as the fan motors, and relay, fuel hoses, hose clamps, and ignition coils. The trunk has correct carpeting in excellent shape, along with matching Borrani spare wheel, with recent Michelin XWX tire. The carpet on the underside of the trunk lid is missing. The car runs and drives well. Engine is well-tuned and makes good power, while the transaxle has good synchromesh, with a small amount of scratchiness going into first gear. Second gear works well warm or cold. The steering and suspension are free of slop or excessive play, with a nice coherent feel, and the brakes are effective.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a matching-numbers, early 330 GTC that is desirably equipped and has had much recent maintenance work. A high level driver, this car has fantastic visual presence and is ideally optioned with wire wheels, factory AC, and Becker Europa. It comes with many thousands of dollars of invoices showing the maintenance it has received, in addition to book pouch with owner’s manual and parts catalog. It is an ideal example to be driven and casually shown as is, or would be welcome at shows with some additional detail work.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608