Restored Ferrari 330 goes 'beyond obsessional'
'Arguably the best 330 GTC on the planet' say the restorers - won't find us disagreeing...
You might remember Bell Sport & Classic has some form when it comes to bringing old Ferraris back to their former glory (if not a little bit beyond); it finished a 246 GT L to a sublime standard earlier this year. Here’s the latest restoration project, a 1966 330 GTC in Verde Chiaro Metallizato, chassis number 9069. The firm has been overhauling it for three years, and the result - hopefully you’ll agree - appears little short of spectacular.
As is often the way with classic Ferraris, the 330 GTC had lived a life. One of just 600 made in Maranello between 1966 and 1968, the GTC combined the V12 of the 330 2+2 with the chassis of the 275 GTB. This one first went to Switzerland, then spent time in the USA, before winding up in Venezuela. That’s where it was unearthed six years ago, a little sorry for itself with a seized engine and blue paint. Crucially, however, every single nut and bolt was original, and so chassis #9069 made the perfect base for a restoration.
The processes undertaken by Bell Sport & Classic are what might modestly be called labour-intensive. It took a fortnight to remove the interior piece by piece, before turning attention to the outside, then the drivetrain and chassis. Another month was invested in stripping the suspension, sandblasting it, repainting and replating. The effort means original parts can be retained rather than replaced.
And for certain parts of the rebuild, even sandblasting wasn’t enough. Two years ahead of the body being painted, it was blasted using crushed walnut shells (!) rather than sand to ensure a finish ‘utterly devoid of even the slightest blemish’. We’d say that’s been achieved. Before painting, moreover, the 330 GTC was dry built to ensure everything would fit properly once that bit more thickness for primer and paint was accounted for. Then to be disassembled once more, painted, and put back together. It’s a wonder this only took three years.
The soul of the 330 GTC is, of course, the legendary Colombo V12, and the painstaking approach of Bell Sport & Classic was carried over to the powertrain. Its engine workshop is run by Attilio Romano, former head of HR Owen’s Ferrari technical department for 22 years, and the 4.0-litre was subjected to a complete rebuild. ‘It’s an obsessive approach, but it ensures perfection’, says the press material, with the engine overhauled ‘regardless of time and cost’. So that meant stripping down, vapour blasting, refurbishing, and replating (where required) every single component of the engine. Just think, for starters, of the pistons and valves - it’s a lot of bits. Following two days on the dyno - imagine the sound! - and 500 miles of road testing, the V12 is back to factory standard from the 60s, which means 300hp at 7,000rpm.
Interestingly given how good the new colour looks, the gorgeous interior of the 330 GTC is not how it would have been in 1966. Originally black, more than 50 years ‘had taken a very heavy toll upon it’, according to BS&C. The customer was keen for a change but, in keeping with the authenticity of the project, they chose from an original range of period leather options. The chosen hide is Conolly VM 218 fawn, with material sourced from Italy and work undertaken by O’Rourke Coachtrimmers and Suppliers. That’s no mere re-trim, either, but ensuring things like the weave of the carpet is correct, that the headlining is right and even the vinyl on the binding of the carpets is how it would have been. Though new foam has been put in the seats, the 330 GTC retains its original seat frames, seatbelt fittings and buckles. While we’re on the inside, check out the stereo. Once upon a time, a radio cassette had been unceremoniously stuffed in there; Bell Sport & Classic had it removed and replaced with a Becker Europa as it would have originally come with, only one updated by Chrome London with features like Bluetooth compatibility - neat.
The care and attention lavished on this build, which went so far as ensuring the fuel tanks were the right colour and that a demister vent in the C-pillar matched the body, meant the 330 GTC won the top Ferrari prize at last month’s Salon Privé concours. Which will surely have been a fiercely contested category. Bell Sport & Classic’s MD, Tim Kearns, said of the Ferrari: “Every car we restore, while flawless visually, has got to perform at the highest possible level – it’s got to be a true driver’s car… We are confident that Bell Sport & Classic sets the standard for the restoration of historic Ferrari models. The plaudits this 330 GTC has achieved validate the beyond obsessional approach of our exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, and passionate team.”
He added: “It builds on the success of our other recent Ferrari restoration projects - which have been met with universal acclaim for their pursuit of perfection - and further underlines our objective to continually raise the bar. This is exactly what Bell Sport & Classic does. Watch this space for our next project.” Given what’s already been seen with this and the Dino, that time can’t come soon enough. Hopefully it’s not three years away…
I have something that's won 11 concours 1st place awards from 2009 to 2022. Its very labour intensive getting something absolutely perfect.
Ref the blasting of this Ferrari. Media blasting (,glass or slag) is fine on heavier steel but doing this on thin bodywork is a no no , it could end up ruining the bodywork with rippling.
Walnut shell blasting is a much kinder way to blast thin steel or aluminium. As for London Chroming, it's only a small place but has been inbuisness decades and the very best imho.
I doubt there’s a car featured, or indeed advertised on here that looks better or that if want more
From an era when Ferrari made beautiful cars, it has perfect proportions and a deft touch from its designers that is missing from today’s Ferraris (just my opinion)
Notable on the interior - aside from far higher-quality trim, it's no different from what you'd find in an ALFA Romeo or even a FIAT of the same era.
No over-design anywhere.
Much as I admire patina, there are some old cars that seem to suit slight over-restoration.
You do wonder how much of the original car was left after such a meticulous restoration but who really cares.
Hope the new owner enjoys and uses.
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