1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Pininfarina
Registration no. Not registered in the UK
Chassis no. 08409
Engine no. 08409

Ferrari launched its all-new 330 GT 2+2 model at its traditional January Press Conference of 1964. It was a new car in comparison to the 250 GTE 2+2 with 50mm longer wheelbase providing enhanced cabin space while its disc-brake system was improved by the adoption of completely separate hydraulic runs front and rear. After mid-1965 cast-alloy wheels would replace the traditional wirespoked Borranis originally specified.

It was with the Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 and 330 GT 2+2 that the Maranello manufacturer finally achieved one of the Ferrari board's personal goals – to create a truly 'mass-production' model. Around 950 250 GTEs had been produced followed by 50 of the interim 330 America cars and 1,120 of the later 330GTs. They were regarded as 'The Family Ferraris' and with their discreet yet handsome good looks and 4-litre V12-cylinder 300bhp engines they could still turn on the road performance that the marque's customers and supporters expected.

This left-hand-drive, European version Ferrari 330 GT had assembly sequence number 789 during manufacture, and its Certificato d'Origine was issued on April 7, 1966. It was Italian-registered 'MI B 24681' on April 9 that year and on the 12th of that month sold through official dealer M.G. Crepaldi Sasin Milan to the first owner, Tematex SaS di E. Reynaud e C., of Corso Giacomo Matteotti, Milan. The declared price paid was Lire 6,500,000.

Tematex retained the car until February 10, 1969, when it was sold to second owner Mariello Guindani of Sesto San Giovanni outside Milan, the price this time having fallen to Lire 1,000,000. Due to the original licence plates having apparently been mislaid, the car was re-registered on February 26, 1969, again with Milan plates, 'MI G 65439'. On October 6 that same year the car was then sold on to third owner Dexter John Dartnall of the Via Benedcetto Marcello, Milan – the price of Lire 3,000,000 showing second owner Guindani a handsome short-term profit...

Mario Mentaschi e C. Srl of Milan's Via Plinio became fourth owner on May 11, 1970, for Lire 700,000 and on August 3 Giorgiuo Zammitti sold the car for the Mentaschi company to fifth owner Giorgio Brioschi of the Via Agrigento, still in the city of Milan. Signor Brioschi traded the car through Concessionaria Autoveicoli Fia La Padana Snc to sixth owners Albertino Marino Vismara and Signora Adele Stucchi of the Via Popoli Uniti, Milan, on March 31, 1972 – the price being Lire 100,000. And they, in turn, sold the car on February 23, 1973 to seventh owner Brunello Giulio Puccia of Milan's Via Cambasi, collectible age having achieved the declared price to Lire 170,000.

The car's odyssey continued, as on December 18, 2000, it was taken by the Bergamo branch of the Italian tax authority – the Agenzia delle Entrate Ufficiale IVA Bergamo – and it was then offered for sale by public auction, at which the winning bid was placed on behalf of Fabrizio Violati's Stelabar SA company, of Falcione, Republic of San Marino.

This Ferrari 330GT was subsequently displayed within Fabrizio Violati's Collezione Maranello Rosso museum at Falciano until this past July when it was delivered to Bonhams for this current sale by auction. As offered here the car has a most attractive patina of age while having survived its long peregrinations in generally very original and fine order. It retains its original colour scheme – Argento 20265A exterior, and Nero Franzi interior, and it is another of the Maranello Rosso Collection's matching-numbers Ferraris, all number stampings being properly struck with the correct fonts, including the internal engine number and the engine type number at the front of the power
unit. The firewall data plate in the engine bay is correct, and the car's odometer upon delivery to us showed a total 56,784kms.

There is some cracking to the paint on the bonnet lid, but overall '8409' as offered here is in sound order although we do, of course advise expert inspection and re-commissioning before the car – after so many years as a static museum exhibit - is used again in earnest.

Please note this vehicle is subject to import tax should it remain in the EU.