Fantasy Junction

Description

1967 Ferrari 330 GTC
s/n 10033, engine no. 10033
Argento with Black Leather and Red Carpets

Widely regarded to be one of the best driving and most usable classic Ferraris, the 330 GTC is highly sought after today. One of the most significant aspects of its appeal is its mechanical sophistication and the resulting driving experience. The engine was a development of the venerable Colombo V12, now displacing 4.0 liters, generating plenty of torque, and making 300hp. A torque tube connected the engine to the rear-mounted transaxle, a sophisticated solution to optimize weight distribution that is still used in high performance cars today. The car also had disc brakes all around, independent suspension all around, and a 5-speed gearbox, making it one of Ferrari’s first modern road cars. Most Ferrari aficionados continue to regard the GTC as one of the best-driving vintage Ferraris and indeed, they have exceptionally good roadholding, tractability, performance, and are genuinely pleasurable cars to use, even in modern traffic. Their styling is elegant but understated, while available air conditioning and electric windows added further to their usability and sophistication as road cars. Becker or Blaupunkt radios were optional, as were wire wheels, which rounded out the optional offerings on the cars. Today, their usability and driving experience distinguishes them in many collections, and collectors tend to gravitate towards their 330GTC when long distance driving is the objective.

This particular car is an exceptional 330 GTC and is surely one of the finest examples we have had the pleasure to encounter. In short, the car has everything the discerning collector would want in a car: books, jack, tools, extensive documentation, a stately color combination, good options (Becker Europa and air conditioning), and a beautifully-executed restoration.

The car was delivered new to Garage Italauto in Losanna, Switzerland on May 31st, 1967. By the early 1970s the car had been imported to the United States and was owned by a Mr. R. Martin of Aspen, Colorado. In 1982 the car was sold to Ralph Palcho, St. Davids, PA, silver-blue at the time with black leather and red carpets, sitting on Alloy wheels. It was described at the time as being excellently maintained and totally original. Mr. Palcho retained the car through 1998, and during his ownership the transaxle was rebuilt by H&M Car Emporium (in 1989 at 76,000 kms), the engine was rebuilt by A.C. Restorations (in 1995, at 85,000 km) and the engine bay detailed. It also received new carpeting prior to his sale of the car in 1998 to Franklin Parker of Cumming, GA. Parker re-painted the car Rosso Barchetta and mounted Borrani wire wheels, while retaining the black leather. Now with just 92,000 km logged, it was described in a 1999 advert from Parker as being in excellent condition with new XWXs, Rebuilt engine, suspension, transaxle, and carbs. Purchased from Parker in 1999 by Randy Hill, of Burlingame CA, this 330 GTC shared a stable with a fully restored Ferrari 250 Lusso, until such time as it sold to its next long-term owner, Charles Michelson, San Francisco CA, in 2001 with just 96,000 km logged.
Mr. Michelson embarked on a comprehensive restoration, refinishing the car in its current shade of fine flake metallic silver (argento), mechanically and cosmetically refinishing the engine and engine bay, rebuilding the ancillaries, and exhaust. The suspension, shocks, steering, air conditioning, brake and fuel systems were addressed. The brightwork, emblems, body rubbers, and wheels were refinished, and select upholstery work was performed.

Generally speaking, Larry Buskirk oversaw the restoration work and performed a significant amount of mechanical work. Cosmetic aspects of the process were outsourced to Bob Smith (chrome and plating), Rich Weiss (upholstery), and Vlados Collision (body restoration and paint). The total for the restoration work performed between 2001 and 2011 was a staggering $247,061.

Most recently, the car has been part of an eclectic collection in the San Francisco Bay Area, where it has been owned by an active keeper who enjoys his cars on the road. While this car was occasionally shown at local concours events with pride (Sausalito Classic Car Show 2014, Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance 2012-013), his primary purpose for the car was pleasure driving. He has kept up with the fastidious documentation of every aspect of the car with hand-written and dated notes outlining each mechanical and cosmetic task performed. He has continued to maintain the car its current mechanical and cosmetic condition, both of which are exceptional.

Cosmetically, the car makes a very strong impression, with high quality paint in excellent condition. Aside from a few chips on the front of the car from regular road use, there are very few blemishes to speak of. The body is straight and solid with excellent fit and gaps. The chrome trim and wheels are excellent, with virtually no blemishes anywhere. The glass and lights are generally excellent.

The interior is in beautiful shape. The upholstery is excellent, including the door panels, center console, and dash pad. The seats have a pleasant hint of patina, and the pleasant smell of original leather. The headliner is similarly nice, as are the contrasting red carpets. The instruments and switches are excellent, including the fragile and irreplaceable column switch, which operates with uncommon crispness and solidity. The steering wheel was beautifully restored and the dashboard wood has just the right level of gloss to the finish. The car is still fitted with a Becker Europa radio, as it was originally equipped, and the overall presentation has an effortless crispness to it, appearing neither overly fresh and shiny nor worn or aged.

The engine compartment presents in the same way, with a clean, crisp presentation without appearing to be trying too hard. The finishes are correct throughout and the engine is tidy. Details such as the original type battery, yellow fuel lines, and windscreen washer fluid bag are correct. The brake booster is correctly finished and has the correct decal. The underside produces a similar presentation of correctness, without trying too hard. The trunk is equally nice with correct type carpet in excellent condition and a matching Borrani wire wheel spare.

The car is a pleasure to drive. The engine is very well-tuned, pulling cleanly and making good power. The gearbox has excellent synchromesh on all gears, and is one of the better Ferrari transaxles we have encountered in recent memory. The steering is precise and free of excessive play, and the chassis and suspension function as they should, with a good blend of compliance and body control. The brakes bite authoritatively and slow the car symmetrically and effectively. The air conditioning blows ice cold. As the tach needle bounces rhythmically at 3500 rpm while you cruise down the fast lane at 80 mph, sitting comfortably in the ergonomic cabin, the unmistakable hum of the V12 exhaust note will remind you just how lucky you are to be driving what many regard as the ultimate driver’s Ferrari of the golden era of Sports and GT cars.

The car retains an original tool roll with tools, jack bag with jack, and exceptionally complete books. The documentation is extensive; several photo albums from the restoration, written restoration summaries and invoices, and extra set of keys, and miscellaneous other documentation and correspondence relating to the car. Also included are build sheets for s/n 10033, notes supporting the mileage as accurate, historical summaries on this chassis number from various sources, and articles about 330 GTCs. Also included with the sale are a full set of difficult to find Cromodora alloy wheels in restored condition.

This is a truly exceptional opportunity to acquire a superb no-excuses 330 GTC. The intrinsic characteristics of this car, such as its color combination, ownership history, and documentation, are superb, as are the specifics of its current mechanical and cosmetic condition. Additionally, it is fantastically complete, including tools, jack, books, and keys, all of which are in excellent condition. Additionally, it runs and drives well, and has a superb structure. In short, this 330 GTC has everything that the discerning collector or passionate enthusiast would want, making it an appropriate candidate for the buyer who demands the very best.

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.

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