Bell Sport & Classic’s 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC returns to the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace

Intended to fill a gap in Ferrari’s line-up between the four-seat 330 GT 2+2 and the racer-on-the-road 275 GTB, the two-seat 330 GTC debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966 and was essentially a closed version of the 275 GTS. Pininfarina’s understated coachwork combined elements of the latter at the rear with touches of the 500 Superfast at the front creating a tasteful blend of the mean-and-low look of Ferrari competition GT cars, with the elegance of super-luxury street Ferraris of the past.

Powered by the 4.0-liter, 300bhp version of Ferrari’s familiar 60-degree V12, much development work concentrated on the reduction of noise levels in the cabin, which was luxuriously equipped in the best Gran Turismo manner: leather seats, electric windows and heated rear screen were standard. With a top speed in excess of 150mph, excellent ride comfort and sure-footed handling, Ferrari could justifiably claim the 330GTC to be the finest of high-speed conveyances for two people and their luggage.

Ferrari 330 GTC chassis no. 09069 was built during the launch year and delivered new to Baron Emmanuel “Toulo” de Graffenried’s official dealership Garage Italauto SA in Lausanne, Switzerland and sold to the first owner Mr. Alfred Pinkas, resident in Lausanne, in October 1966. The car was subsequently exported to South America (Caracas, Venezuela) where it resided with Jose di Mase a senior executive at Banco Construccion. When the early nineties banking crisis hit the country di Mase fled from Venezuela leaving the car to languish.

Almost a decade ago this car, chassis no. 09069 was rescued from an abandoned garage in Venezuela and transported to the UK via New York, emerging from its container in a very sorry state with faded blue paintwork and black leather interior.

First presented at Hampton Court by Bell Sport & Classic back in 2021 as a painted body in the factory original colour Verdi Chiaro Metallizato, it immediately attracted a buyer and with their oversight the car underwent a painstaking nut and bolt restoration (at Bell Sport & Classic). The finished has since gone on to Concours success at Salon Prive and achieved a coveted invitation to Villa d’Este.

We are delighted to confirm the car’s return to Hampton Court next month as a Concours entrant.