The 330 series, named this way after the displacement of each cylinder in cubic centimeters, ran from 1963 through 1968 in four road-going versions. The 330 America was first, essentially a 250 GTE Series III with a 4.0-liter engine compared to the previous 3.0-liter unit. The fixed-head 330 GTC and canvas-top 330 GTS were strict two-seater grand tourers.
As for the final entry, the 330 GT 2+2 replaced the 330 America. Codenamed Tipo 571, this model stands out from other Prancing Horses of that era by means of quad headlights. The Chinese Eyes also happens to be a little bit more spacious than its predecessor thanks to a 50-millimeter extension of the wheelbase, plus wider front and rear tracks.
Built around a welded tubular steel chassis, the 330 GT 2+2 was originally equipped with 15- by 6.5-inch wire wheels from Borrani, complemented by Pirelli-sourced rubber boots. The 60-degree V12 hiding under the hood, a.k.a. Tipo 209, is joined by a four-speed manual with overdrive. Come spring 1965, the Maranello-based outfit introduced a five-speed tranny.
It ended production that year with merely 625 units to its name, ranging from chassis number 4963 through 6883 for the four-speed and 6911 to 7547 for the five-speed. The mid-cycle refresh, referred to as the Series II, saw the four-headlight setup replaced by two headlights for a more conventional front-end aesthetic. Very similar to the 275 GTS in this regard, the facelifted 330 GT 2+2 came with slightly wider wheels (make that 15 by 7 inches), namely Campagnolo cast alloys with a 10-hole design. Borrani wire wheels were also available, albeit as optional extras.
Replaced by the 365 GT 2+2, the 330 GT 2+2 switched from four to two engine mounts in the summer of 1966. These cars feature the same 3,967-cc V12 as the first phase of the second series. Thanks to three Weber-supplied carburetors and an 8.8:1 compression ratio, the naturally-aspirated marvel produces in the ballpark of 300 net horsepower.
Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina is responsible for the bite-the-back-of-your-hand pretty exterior. The Series II would be discontinued in fall 1967 after 455 units were delivered. The car in the featured clip and photo gallery is a 1967 model, namely chassis number 9089. Completed in October 1966, it was originally shipped to NY aboard the SS Pia Costa.
Sold by Luigi Chinetti Motors to a well-to-do New York resident, the car would eventually be stored for 20 years between 1990 and 2010. Wayne Davis, a major collector from Texas, fully restored the vehicle in 2012.
Sold by RM Auctions at Monterey for $341,000 including the buyer’s premium, the car was restored once more in the period between December 2014 and September 2020. Currently listed on Bring a Trailer with a Marcel Massini report and a clean Texas title, chassis number 9089 is joined by a plethora of factory books and a vintage roll-up tool pouch.
After a single bid, the Fezza is currently sitting on $150,000. The online auction ends in just under 9 days on Friday, December 16th, at 8:05 pm.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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