Ferrari 330

Ferrari 330

Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	1963–1968
Class	Sports car
Layout	FR layout
Engine	4.0 L Colombo V12

The Ferrari 330 is the successor of the 250, a car first introduced by Ferrari in 1963. The first 330 America was simply a 250 GT/E with a larger engine, and the 330 GTC/GTS shared their chassis with the 275. Only the 330 GT 2+2 was a truly unique product. Production ended in 1968 with the introduction of the Ferrari 365 series.

All 330 models used an evolution of the 400 Superamerica's 4.0 L Colombo V12 engine. It was substantially changed for the 330 cars, however, with wider bore spacing and the notable use of a true alternator rather than a dynamo generator.

330 America

330 America

Production	1963 50 produced
Predecessor	Ferrari 250 GT/E 2+2
Successor	Ferrari 330 GT 2+2
Body style	2+2 Berlinetta

The 1963 330 America shared the outgoing 250 GTE's chassis but not its engine, being powered by the new Type 209, 300 hp (220 kW) at 6600 rpm, 4.0 L engine.

Socialite Sandra West is buried with her blue 330 America at the Alamo Masonic Cemetery at San Antonio, Texas.

50 330 Americas were built.

330 GT 2+2

330 GT 2+2

Production	1964–1967 1087 produced
Predecessor	Ferrari 250 GT/E 2+2 Ferrari 330 America
Successor	Ferrari 365 GT 2+2
Body style	2+2 Berlinetta

The 250 GT/E 2+2 was replaced in January, 1964 by the new 330 GT 2+2. It was much more than a re-engined 250, however, with a sharper nose and tail, quad headlights, and a wide grille. The wheelbase was 50 mm (2.0 in) longer, but Koni adjustable shock absorbers improved handling. A dual-circuit Dunlop braking system was used with discs all around, though it separated brakes front to back rather than diagonally as on modern systems.

The 1965 Series II version featured a five-speed gearbox instead of the overdrive four-speed of the prior year. Other changes included the switch back to a dual-light instead of quad-light front clip, alloy wheels, and the addition of optional air conditioning and power steering. Prior to the introduction of the 'Series II' 330 GTs, a series of 124 'interim' cars were produced, with the 4-headlight external configuration of the Series I cars, but with the 5-speed transmission and 'suspended' foot pedals of the 'Series II' cars.

627 Series I (including 124 'interim' cars) and 460 Series II 330 GT 2+2 cars had been built when the car was replaced by the 365 GT 2+2 in 1967.

330 GTC/GTS

330 GTC, 330 GTS

Production	1966–1968 GTC: 600 produced GTS: 100 produced
Predecessor	GTC: Ferrari 250 GT GTS: Ferrari 275 GTS
Successor	GTC: Ferrari 365 GTC GTS: Ferrari 365 GTS
Body style	GTC: 2-seat coupé GTS: 2-seat Spider

The 330 GTC and 330 GTS were more like their 275 counterparts than the 330 GT 2+2. They shared the short wheelbase of the 275 as well as its independent rear suspension.

The GTC berlinetta was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1966. It was a 2-seat coupe with a Pininfarina-designed body. A 1967 GTC was given one-off bodywork by Zagato at the behest of American importer Luigi Chinetti in 1974. This car was called the "Zagato Convertibile", since it was of a targa-style.

Zagato-bodied 330 GTC

The GTS spider followed at the Paris Motor Show. About 600 coupés and 100 spiders were produced before the 1968 introduction of the 365 GTC & GTS and the 365 GTB/4 "Daytona".

330 LMB

Ferrari 330 LM Berlinetta

Four 330 Le Mans Berlinettas were built in 1963. First presented in March 1963 alongside the mid-engined 250 P, they were essentially a development of the 250 GTOs and fitted with the 4-litre 330 engine, here rated at 400 hp (298 kW) at 7,500 rpm. Although the front is visually similar to the 250 GTOs, the main structure came from the 250 Lusso. These four cars are not the same as the "330 GTOs". The wheelbase, at 2,500 mm (98 in), was also 100 mm longer than either the Lusso's or the GTO's. The raised plates on the top of the rear fenders were necessary to clear the rear tires.

The LMB (originally simply the "330 LM") did not see much racing, as Ferrari was moving over to the mid-engined layout for racing. One retired at Sebring 1963, while of three starters at Le Mans that year, two retired and the car of Jack Sears and Mike Salmon came in fifth. After this, the LMB saw no more works entries.

330 P

Main article: Ferrari P

Ferrari 330 P3

Four models of mid-engined racing cars used the 330 engine and name as well — the 330 P/P2/P3/P4 range of the mid 1960s. The 330 P4 had 450 bhp at 8500 rpm. It had a top speed of 320 km/h (198.85 mph). And had a dry weight of 800 kg (1763 lb).

References

• Godfrey Eaton: The Complete Ferrari. Cadogan Books, London 1985, ISBN 0-947754-10-5, S. 92f., 131–135, 140–150, 163/164, 353f.

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