1968 Ferrari 330 GTS Spider

The GTS was the convertible option of the GTC and was introduced at the Paris Salon in 1966 Paris Salon. Power was from a 4.0-liter, 300 horsepower version of Ferrari's twin-cam, 60-degree V12, as used in the 330GT 2+2. Riding on a short 2400mm wheelbase, it was built from sturdy oval-section main tubes in a steel space-frame. The suspension was independent all around by wishbones and coil springs. First introduced on a road-going Ferrari 1964 - the 275GTB - the rear suspension incorporated the five-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox in the form of a transaxle. The 330GTS - unlike the 275GTS - used the torque-tube transmission introduced on the 275GTB towards the end of 1965.

The 330GTS Gran Turismo was luxuriously with leather seats and electric windows as standard. Radio, air conditioning and Borrani wire wheels were available as optional equipment. Top speed was in excess of 150 mph. Just 100 examples of the 330GTS were produced by the factory between 1966 and 1968, alongside 600 of the 330GTC Berlinetta.

This example, chassis 11021, is the 84th examples of the 330 GTS to be built. It was ordered new through Jacques Swaters' Garage Francorchamps, in Brussels, Belgium. It was delivered by the factory on September 26th of 1968. It had been specified as being in Argento that June, but on the final invoice this specified Bleu Ribot as its color. This must have been altered at the later stages of its build. The interior was done in black leather. It came equipped with a factory hard top at a cost of nearly 5% of the invoice.

The first private owner is not known and further European history is not recorded. Within three years, the car had made its way across the Atlantic and into the United states. It has resided in the U.S. ever since. In the 1970s it was owned (or managed) by Kyle Fleming of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and advertised by him in 1979. It was listed as having new red lacquer paint, Borrani wire wheels and factory air conditioning. Handled by Ed Waterman in January 1987, the Ferrari had passed to Dr. D.G. Whitney of Roswell, Georgia by 1990. A decade later, the car is known to have been in private New Jersey ownership. By this point in history, the car was referenced as having a 330 GT 2+2 engine, number 9823, which is the identical type 209 specification to its original unit.

Sometime in the early 2000s, Texas collector Gene Ponder acquired the car. Mr. Ponder had the car refurbished and its interior lightly customized to match the exterior - in red and black leather with a red leather top cover. Its top is in black double duck. Chrome shields have also been fitted behind the Ferrari badge on its nose.

In 2007, gene Ponder's collection in Marshall, Texas was sold. At that time, the car came into the car of the Oldenburg Family. Since that time, it has accrued some 8,500 kms.

In 2013, this car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $912,500 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013