Ferrari 330

Ferrari 330 at a glance

The 330 follows the 250 GT family and precedes the 365 series; earlier Ferraris of the period on 1CARS include the 250 GT Tour de France. All models are listed in the Ferrari catalogue.

The 330 America (1963)

The first car with the new engine was the 330 America, built in late 1963. It used the chassis and body of the 250 GT/E 2+2 and looked almost identical to the Series III 250 GT/E — some cars carried an "America" badge on the boot. Under the bonnet, however, was the new Tipo 209 V12 of 3,967 cc with 220 kW (300 PS) at 6,600 rpm. Fifty were built, on Pirelli Cinturato 185VR15 tyres, before the larger 330 GT 2+2 took over.

The 330 GT 2+2 (1964–1967)

The 330 GT 2+2 was introduced in January 1964 and first shown at the Brussels motor show. Its wheelbase was 50 mm longer than the 250's, giving more room for the four seats. It had Koni adjustable dampers and dual-circuit Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels.

Series I (1964–1965). The first cars are easy to recognise by their four headlights. They had a four-speed gearbox with overdrive and Pirelli Cinturato 205VR15 tyres. 625 were built, including 125 so-called "interim" cars.

Series II (1965–1967). The second series returned to two headlights and received a five-speed gearbox, alloy wheels and optional air-conditioning and power steering. 455 were built before the 365 GT 2+2 replaced the model in 1967.

The two series add up to 1,080 cars according to Wikipedia's text, while its infobox gives 1,099.

The 330 GTC and 330 GTS (1966–1968)

The 330 GTC, shown at the Geneva motor show in March 1966, is a two-seat coupé with a body designed by Pininfarina. It uses the short wheelbase and the independent rear suspension of the 275, and the cars ran on Michelin XWX 205VR14 tyres. With 220 kW (300 PS) from the 4.0-litre V12, it was more refined and quieter than earlier Ferraris. About 600 were built. In 1966 Pininfarina also made four GTC Speciale coupés, shown at the Brussels motor show in 1967.

The 330 GTS, presented at the Paris motor show in October 1966, is the open spider version with the same chassis and drivetrain. Only about 100 were made.

Timeline of the 330 road cars

Special bodies

Several one-off cars were built on 330 chassis. A 330 GT 2+2 received a body in the style of the 500 Superfast for Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. A 1965 Series II was converted into a shooting brake by Luigi Chinetti Jr., Bob Peak and the coachbuilder Vignale.

The 330 name in racing

Ferrari also used the 330 designation for sports racing cars of the 1960s, including the 330 P3 and 330 P4. The 330 P4 produced 336 kW (450 hp) at 8,000 rpm, weighed 792 kg and reached about 320 km/h. These racing cars are not part of the road-car family described above. The 330 P4's one-two-three finish at Daytona in 1967 later inspired the Ferrari Daytona SP3.

Legacy

The 330 range marked a step up for Ferrari's road cars: more displacement, more comfort and, with the GTC and GTS, independent rear suspension in an elegant two-seater. It also paved the way for the 365 models that followed. For the company's history, see our history of Ferrari.

Photo gallery