1964 Ferrari 330GT Series 1

There were three distinct 330GT 2+2 body styles all made with 4 Litre V-12 engine totalling 1,137 cars including prototypes. The first of the series was a continuation of the 250GT/E body but fitted with the new higher-output engine. These are knoling. The Bracelet is a Rouleaux type and is steel with a concealed double opening clasp. The movement is an ETA 7750 automatic with chronograph stopwatch and date function. The dial is an unusual rouge colour with champaigne sub-dials and large lumiwn as 330GT America cars. Just 50 examples of this model were made and all were in left hand drive.

The second was a new body style by Pininfarina, commonly known as a Series 1 model having a total production run of just 503 cars with a four hnous hour markers. The watch is presented in nice condition and has clearly been well cared for.

eadlight design being the distinct feature, like the car offered here today. The fantastic Gioacchino Colombo designed high output 300bhp engine was fitted to all series 1 cars, adorned with triple Weber 40DCZ/6 carburettors and mated to the 4-speed manual gearbox, complete with a versatile overdrive unit (allowing selection within 3rd and 4th gears). This combination took the vehicle from 0-100km in just 6.3 seconds. Clearly one of the fastest cars of the early/mid sixties era and with only 627 cars ever made the Series 1 model had without doubt very few rivals.

The final body style for the 330GT, the Series II, saw a redesign of the front end, changing from four headlights to two and Ferrari made some mechanical changes including a different 5-speed transmission, this dispensed with the need for an overdrive unit.

Chassis 5887 is a Series 1 car despite sporting Series II side vents which, in many people's opinion, simply look better. Having started life in the USA the vehicle remains in left hand drive guise and was imported from America to the UK in 2002. Upon landing, it was considered to be far too good for converting to the most desirable Ferrari 250GTO, as a replica like so many of its peers. The then owner who was a qualified and recognized Aston Martin specialist himself retained the car as a personal vehicle and it became the family GT Tourer for trips to the South of France. Being an engineer himself the car was properly maintained and wanted for nothing. As such, she starts with ease, performs faultlessly and has plenty of power in reserve to make the driving experience comfortable and enjoyable, even in unsympathetic modern traffic.

In current ownership for more than 18 months, EBW 293B has been stripped and re-sprayed in correct Ferrari Blu Pozzi colour (a beautiful blue black hue with colour depths which change in different light conditions), before being carefully pieced back together with particular attention being taken to the door shuts which are remarkably good for a car of this age. The chrome work is in exceptionally good order and the original Borrani wheels (standard only on the series 1), of which there are five including the spare, are in all round good condition with the spinners having been recently re-chromed. New Pininfarina badging adorns the rear quarters on each side, and not yet fitted are two prancing horse emblems in yellow that could be fitted to the front wings if one chose. A stainless steel exhaust system has also been fitted.

In all, this is an excellent and honest example of the car that Enzo Ferrari himself once described as his favourite car, and is certainly worthy of serious consideration given its sensible guide price. Another 330GT, albeit previously owned by John Lennon (who as far as we know had no specialist engineering qualifications) shall soon be offered to the market at a guide price between £180,000 and £220,000 suggesting that these cars are due for a steep climb in values...