Hertfordshire-based Ferrari restoration specialist Bell Sport & Classic has beautifully restored a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC to a condition higher than that of the original, with the resultant car taking home an award at this year’s Concours d’Elégance in September.
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Spanning three years, the restoration and rebuild process was undertaken at Bell Sport & Classic’s Hertfordshire headquarters, with every component on the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC either restored, overhauled, or reverse-engineered. An almost obsessive approach and attention to detail, paired with an unparalleled level of industry experience and expertise has resulted in a car that might well be one of the finest examples of a Ferrari 330 GTC in existence.
The Ferrari 330 GTC was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966. Taking its chassis from the 275 GTB Berlinetta and 300hp four-litre V12 engine from the 330 2+2 Coupé, the Ferrari 330 GTC was distinguished by its classically elegant Pininfarina body. “It’s the kind of Ferrari that you could imagine Enzo using as a daily driver,” noted Tim Kearns, managing director of Bell Sport & Classic.
“Maranello built 600 examples between 1966 and late 1968 and this example was built during the initial year of production,” said Peter Smith, head of acquisition and sales at Bell Sport & Classic. The Hertfordshire-based company initially acquired the car six years ago; first sold into Switzerland, it had spent time in the US before being found in Venezuela. Though the engine wasn’t running and it had been repainted a dull shade of blue, every facet of the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC was original, making it a good example to begin with.
Before turning their attention to the drivetrain and suspension components, the Bell Sport & Classic restoration team, led by Elliot East, focused on the exterior trim, meticulously stripping off the brightwork, bumpers, headlights, and glass. The heavily curbed and corroded original 14-inch case magnesium wheels were restored and elevated to Concours-worthy status; with the same exacting effort also extending to hidden elements within the car.
To ensure an immaculate exterior finish, devoid of all blemishes, an innovative method was used. Rather than sandblasting, the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC was blasted with brushed walnut shells. According to Elliot East, this nullifies the risk of distortion on fragile areas that can come with sandblasting. Research during the restoration process showed the pale blue car was originally an unusual shade of pale green, leading the team to restore it to its original light green metallic Verde Chiaro Metallizato.
The original Colombo V12 engine was stripped down, refurbished, reassembled, and tested at Bell Sport & Classic’s in-house engine workshop, under the guidance of Attilio Romano, a former member of the Ferrari factory technical team in Maranello. The stringent approach ensures perfection, with every single component stripped, vapour-blasted, refurbished, and replated as required. Once the V12 was reassembled and placed back in the rebuilt car, the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC was subject to 500 miles of road testing. The rebuilt engine produces 300 bhp at 7000 rpm, equalling that of the in-period production.
The original black leather interior was swapped out for the deep brown Ferrari Conolly VM 218 fawn leather colour, matched with period-correct detailing including the colour and weave of the carpets and the headlining, as well as the vinyl on the binding of the carpets, with all materials sourced from Italy.
“With this Ferrari 330 GTC, we have created a car that looks perfect from first glance right down to the details you will never see,” said Peter Smith. “We believe passionately that beauty is so much more than skin-deep. That’s why, if you took this car apart, every component would look new, even though it is fifty-six years old. Versus the more famous V12 Ferrari of the period, the 330 GTC hides its light under a relative bushel, but it is such a wonderful combination of style and performance that this is one Ferrari unlikely to remain underrated for much longer.”
Words by John Deckard
