Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina 1968 - World Of Classic Cars -

Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina 1968

The replacement to the 275 GTS, the 330 GTS, was designed to be an elegant, open-top, V-12 grand tourer for Ferrari’s best customers looking for the finest automotive experience money could buy. In addition to plenty of room for two plus their luggage, the 330 GTS also boasted an incredible set of performance figures. It boasted a top speed of 150 mph and a quarter-mile time of 15 seconds at just under 100 mph, and the 330 GTS could easily outpace just about any other car on the road when it was new.
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October of 1966, its styling was instantly recognizable as a Pininfarina design of the mid-1960s. The 330 GTS epitomized mid-’60s Italian GT styling with its uncluttered and elegant design, from its classic nose characterized by its shallow egg-crate oval grille to its triple-louvered vents on the rear flanks of the front fenders and on to the seductive tapered tail. The impeccable style carried on to the car’s interior, which was luxuriously appointed with twin leather bucket seats and a wood-rimmed, aluminum steering wheel. With remarkably spacious proportions inside, this was the perfect place to be for a 1,000-mile road trip across Europe or for a trip across town.

Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina 1968

Aside from the obvious addition of its convertible top, the 330 GTS was identical to the 330 GTC coupe that had been unveiled a few months earlier at the Geneva Salon. However, the convertible was built in much more limited numbers than its closed sibling. While 598 of the 330 GTC were built in total, only 99 of the 330 GTS would leave the factory gates by the time GTS production concluded in 1968, making the convertible much more desirable than the coupe. Today, these 99 cars are highly sought after by collectors for their fine driving characteristics as well as their gorgeous looks.

CHASSIS NUMBER 10817

Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina 1968

One of the 99 of the 330 GTS built, chassis number 10817 was originally delivered through the official West Coast Ferrari distributor, William Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors of Reno, Nevada, finished in Argento (25090 A) over Rosso (VM 3171). The original owner was Baldhard G. Falk of San Francisco, a record producer involved in the jazz and early funk scene on the West Coast. Falk returned the car to Modern Classic Motors after it developed gearbox troubles, and it was stored there for several years, with the producer eventually trading it on a new 365 GTB/4 Daytona in 1970.

Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina 1968

In 1973, the used 330 GTS was sold by Modern Classic Motors to the late Louis Sellyi, a world-renowned Reno eye surgeon and amateur racecar driver of considerable talent. It remained in Mr. Sellyi’s ownership for several years and then was sold to Philip Otto Kraft of Oceanside, California, who listed it with the Ferrari Club of America from 1982 through 1984. In 1987, it was exhibited at the FCA’s National Meeting, held in Washington, D.C., and Summit Point, West Virginia, where it was awarded the Gran Turismo Award.
That same year, the 330 GTS was sold to the well-known enthusiast William Kontes, of The Chequered Flag Collection in Millville, New Jersey. It was refinished in its present elegant shade of pale yellow with a tan interior and, as of 1991 when advertised for sale. It remained with Mr. Kontes until 1998 and was then purchased by Robert Fagenson of Oakhurst, New Jersey. The car remained with Mr. Fagenson for 17 years before its aquisition by the current consignor.

Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina 1968

The car presents extremely well overall as a very nice older restoration with only minor blemishes to the paint, decent panel gaps, and a very nice interior with only light wear to the tan leather seats; the top is in excellent condition, while the chrome is presentable throughout for a driver. The trunk has been very nicely restored, while the engine bay and underside are clean and presentable, showing only the enjoyment of the road. During its current ownership, the car has been considerably sorted, including a new radiator, adjustments to the brakes and suspension, repairs to the clutch and heater, a full tune-up, and installation of new hood springs, tubes, and tires.