1966 Ferrari 330 GTC

The Ferrari 330 GTC Berlinetta was intended to fill the gap between the four-seater 330GT 2+2 and the road-going racing-machine, the 275 GTB. The 330 GTC was debuted at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show and was basically as 275GTS with a closed body. The front was inspired by the 500 Superfast while the rear was similar to the 275 GTS. Under the bonnet lurked a 4.0-liter, two-cam, 60-degree V12 with 300 horsepower at its disposal. The same engine could be found in the 330GT 2+2. The engine package rested on a wheelbase that measured a short 94.5-inches comprised of oval-section main tubes in a steel space frame. The suspension was independent in the front and rear by means of wishbones and coil springs. The five-speed gearbox was incorporated into the rear suspension in a transaxle, similar to the design introduced on the road-going Ferrari 275GTB in 1964.

This was a sophisticated performance machine with plenty of power and ambiance. The interior had limited road noise as much development work had gone into making this a very refined and enjoyable tourer. It was well equipped with leather seats, electric windows and a heated rear screen as standard equipment. Radio, air conditioning and Borrani wire wheels were offered as options. The sophisticated suspension provided a very comfortable ride and the potent powerplant responded well to the driver's wishes and demands.

Top speed was over 150 mph; it was a sports car that had seating for two people plus room for their luggage.

Production of the Ferrari 330 GTC lasted from 1966 to 1968 with 598 examples built.

Mechanical Specification
The 330 GTC rested on a 94.5-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 173.2 inches, stood 51.2 inches tall, and was 65.75 inches tall. The steering was by worm and roller, the stopping power was via discs at all corners, and the suspension used upper/lower A-arms with coil springs.

The 60-degree, single-overhead-cam, 12-cylinder 'vee' type engine had an aluminum alloy block and head, a 3967cc (242 cubic inch) displacement, and 8.8:1 compression. It had a 3.03-inch (77 mm) bore, a 2.80-inch stroke (71mm), seven main bearings, three Weber two-barrel carburetors, and produced 330 horsepower at 7,000 RPM. The transmission was a five-speed manual in the rear transaxle with a 4.25:1 standard final drive ratio.

The Ferrari 330 GTS
The 330 GTS was a spider version and production was much lower than its Berlinetta (coupe) GTB sibling with just 100 units built. It was introduced after the GTB, at the Paris Motor Show in October of 1966 (the GTB was introduced in March at the Geneva Show). Both models were powered by a four-liter engine and used the same chassis and drivetrain.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2011