Ferrari 330 "Chinese eye"

Ferrari 330 "Chinese eye"

  • YEAR: 1964

  • PRICE: €268.450

  • Mileage: 13.520 Km

 

By the end of the 1950s, the market for sports cars with ‘family accommodation’ had grown sufficiently for Ferrari to contemplate the introduction of a four-seater model. Introduced in the summer of 1960, the first such Ferrari - the 250 GTE 2+2 - was based on the highly successful 250 GT. Pininfarina’s brief had been to produce a 2+2 without sacrificing the 250’s elegant good looks or sporting characteristics, and the master Carrozzier succeeded brilliantly, moving the engine, gearbox, and steering gear forward and the fuel tank back, thus creating sufficient room for two occasional rear seats.

The 250 GTE provided the basis for its replacement: the 330 GT 2+2 introduced in January 1964. Pininfarina was once again entrusted with the styling, adopting of a four-headlamp frontal treatment that reflected the tastes of Ferrari’s most important export market, the USA. The 330 GT’s tubular chassis was 50mm longer in the wheelbase than before, which made conditions less cramped for the rear passengers. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while at the back there was a live axle/semi-elliptic set-up. Improvements to the discs-all-round braking system saw separate hydraulic circuits adopted for front and rear. Nevertheless, and as may be deduced from Sporting Motorist’s comments above, Ferrari had not lost sight of the requirement to offered the ultimate driving experience, despite the increase in bulk necessitated by the 330 GT’s additional accommodation.

“Coming out of corners the combined action of the ZF limited-slip differential and the ample contact area of the tyres allows you to accelerate much earlier and with more gusto, and this without affecting the chosen line through the bend. Because of this, the 330 GT is blessed with exceptional speed on twisty roads and on coming out of corners it leaps forward like a rocket, leaving behind two thick black tire marks.” – Sporting Motorist, 1964

The 330 GT’s Colombo-type, 60-degree, V12 engine had first appeared in the 330 America (effectively a big-bore 250 GTE 2+2) in 1963. Displacing 3,967cc, the single-overhead-camshaft, all-alloy unit was good for 300-plus horsepower, an output sufficient to propel the 330 GT to a maximum velocity of 245km/h making it, when introduced, the fastest road-going Ferrari. Equipped with a four-speeds-plus-overdrive gearbox.

“Collection by Vermant” is pleased to offer this magnificent Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. This four-headlight ‘Chinese eyes’ Series 1, is a matching-numbers 330 GT, built to European specification. Originally finished in it’s fabulous Grigio Speciale color with Nero VM8500 Connolly leather interior. This Ferrari was completed in June 1964 and delivered in September through the official dealer Parauto SRL of Genova, Italy. The cars ownership history is fully documented in the Massini report that comes with it. It remained in Italy till 2010 when it came to Belgian and was sold through a very well-known and respected Belgian Classic Car Dealer. In 2019 it was acquired by its actual second Belgian custodian – a very passionate Ferrari collector - who invested a fortune to bring the car to absolute top condition! He participated with it in several top events and has driven several thousand km’s with it.

An overview of what has been done to the car by the actual owner:

  •  Complete engine overhaul (3,000 km driven since then)

  • Carburetors fully overhauled

  • New clutch master cylinder

  • 2 Kenlow fans installed

  •  Undercarriage and engine compartment fully dry-iced blasted

  • Undercarriage fully treated

  • Complete suspension renewed

  • Leaf springs overhauled

  • Shock absorbers overhauled by Verbaas Engineering

  • Complete brake system overhaul with new master cylinder

  • Rear swingarm seals replaced

  • New Michelin XWX tires (5 pieces)

  • Borrani rims polished and inspected

  • New Borrani spinners

  • Fully original leather interior with beautiful patina - padding redone

  • Heating system fully inspected and repaired with new lines, pipes, and cables

  • Original trunk lining

  • New original and authentic engine cover insulation

 

The car comes with the following items:

  • Extensive history

  • Massini report

  • Original manuals with matching leather pouch

  • Matching tool roll with mostly original tools

 

Undoubtedly one of the best available. Fully functional and roadworthy

Fortune invested to bring it to this condition!

Interested?
Quinten Vermant