MOTOR CARS | 127By 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 250GTE 2+2 - was based on
the highly successful 250GT. 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 250GTE provided the basis for its replacement: the 330GT 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 330GT’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.
The 330GT’s Colombo-type, 60-degree, V12 engine had first
appeared in the 330 America (effectively a big-bore 250GTE 2+2) in
- Displacing 3,967cc, the single-overhead-camshaft, all-alloy
unit was good for 300-plus bhp, an output sufficient to propel the
330GT to a maximum velocity of 152mph (245km/h) making it, when
introduced, the fastest road-going Ferrari.
Equipped at first with a four-speeds-plus-overdrive gearbox, the
330GT gained a five-speed transmission in mid-1965 and later
that year had its four-headlight front end replaced by a two-lamp
arrangement, becoming the ‘Series 2’. Electric windows, alloy wheels
and hanging control pedal were other Series 2 improvements. A
favourite of Enzo Ferrari, who used one as his personal transport, the
330GT was the first of his cars to sell in excess of 1,000 units.Right-hand drive chassis number ‘6201’ was imported into Britain
by Maranello Concessionaires, the official importer and registered
as ‘EPH 3B’. According to the 330 GT Registry printout on file, the
car was first owned by a Major Nicholas Daniel, the second owner
being recorded as Jaguar Cars, which had acquired the Ferrari
for evaluation. The next owner listed is Jaguar employee Robert F
Blake, the American responsible for the design of the fixed-head
coupe E-Type, who was also involved with the Briggs Cunningham
operation, who acquired the Ferrari in the late 1960s and fully
restored it. Bob Blake kept the car for some nine years.The next owner identified by the Register is one Fraser J Mills,
from the late 1990s, followed by the current vendor, who acquired
the Ferrari in 2004. Benefiting from a recent full re-spray by DK
Engineering in its original Bleu Sera livery, ‘EPH 3B’ is described by
the vendor as in generally excellent condition, with good interior.
Accompanying documentation consists of the 1960s restoration
invoices, an old-style logbook, original paperwork, all expired MoT
certificates, V5 document and MoT to July 2015.
£125,000 - 145,000
€160,000 - 180,000