1966 Ferrari 330 GTS

The sports car version of the 330 GTC, the GTS was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1966.

It had the same V12 running gear as the 330 GTC coupé which, in turn, was developed from the engine designed for the 400 Superamerica.

Pininfarina again came up with a very clean, elegant design which proved an immediate hit with the marque’s admirers.

The GTS helped Ferrari consolidate its reputation for building high-performance, luxury open sports cars. Apart from its folding roof, the 330 GTS was identical to the 330 GTC, and as with that model, were unusual for Ferrari in that they had a model badge on the boot lid, proclaiming ’330′.

Prior to this only a very few cars had any model identity on them, and those that did were normally ‘Speciales’. The nose featured a slim, projecting ovoid radiator grille, headlights in shallow recesses in the forward face of the wings, which had triple louvre engine bay exhaust outlets in their sides, bounded by a slim bright trim strip on three sides. This was married to a tail section that was first used on the earlier 275 GTS, to produce a harmonious, light and elegant design that featured slim quarter bumpers at each corner.

The folding roof of the 330 GTS was retained by a pair of over-centre clips on the top screen rail when in the erected position, whilst a clip-on protective vinyl cover fitted over it when stowed in a recess behind the seats.

Production of the 330 GTS model continued into late 1968, when it was upgraded with a 4.4-litre engine and minor cosmetic changes, to become the 365 GTS model.

It was produced in both right and left hand drive form, in the odd number chassis sequence used at that time, and 100 examples were produced in the chassis number range 08899 to 11713.

The bodies were mounted on a 2,400 mm wheelbase tubular steel chassis with factory reference number 592, and the principal layout was very similar to that of the concurrently produced 275 GTB models, as the mechanical layout was virtually identical. The standard road wheels were 7L x 14 in, fitted with 205 x 14 in tyres, of an elegant and smooth 10-hole alloy design, similar to those used on the sports racing competition Ferrari models of the period, with a knock-off spinner to the Rudge hub, with Borrani wire wheels available as an option.

All models in the series were fitted with four wheel Girling disc brakes, with a cable-operated handbrake actuating separate callipers on the rear discs. As with the 275 GTS, a hard top was available as an option on the 330 GTS during the production run, but was rarely specified.

A noteworthy ‘Speciale’ (although not by Ferrari) was the “Harrah Targa”, a conversion carried out in the USA on a 330 GTS (chassis 10913). William Harrah in Reno, Nevada, was the Western Region Ferrari dealer at the time of purchasing chassis 10913, and was famous for his enormous car collection. The conversion work to a Targa roof configuration (the first on a Ferrari model) was carried out in his workshops.

Ferrari 330 GTS Technical Specifications

Year of Manufacture – 1966

ENGINE
type front, longitudinal 60° V12
bore/stroke 77 x 71 mm
unitary displacement 330.62 cc
total displacement 3967.44 cc
compression ratio 8.8 : 1
maximum power 221 kW (300 hp) at 7000 rpm
power per litre 76 hp/l
maximum torque
valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
fuel feed three Weber 40 DCZ/6 or 40 DFI/2 carburettors
ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
lubrication wet sump
clutch single-plate
CHASSIS
frame tubular steel
front suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
rear suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
brakes discs
transmission 5-speed + reverse
steering worm and roller
fuel tank capacity 90 litres
front tyres 205 x 14
rear tyres 205 x 14
BODYWORK
type two-seater spider
length 4430 mm
width 1675 mm
height 1250 mm
wheelbase 2400 mm
front track 1401 mm
rear track 1417 mm
weight 1200 kg (dry)
PERFORMANCE
top speed 242 km/h
acceleration 0-100 km/h
0-400 m
0-1000 m

Ferrari 330 GTS Servicing