1965 Ferrari 330GT 2+2 Berlinetta sold at auction

The 300GT 2+2 was a favourite of the Italian marque's founder, Enzo Ferrari, who drove a four-seater Berlinetta because he favoured the more accommodating layout over the two-seat Ferrari sports cars.

Introduced in January 1964, the Ferrari 330GT 2+2 was inspired by the 250GTE 2+2, which itself was based on the 250GT.

This particular five-speed, four-headlamp right-hand-drive model was sold new via Maranello Concessionaires in July 1965 to a UK buyer and delivered in Celeste (blue) with black leather upholstery and carpets.

The car was sent to the US and restored in the early 1980s with an engine rebuild and repainted in Rosso Corsa.

The Ferrari 330 GT then made its way back to the UK and after some intermittent use was barn-stored from 2005 with just 57,190 miles (92,038km) on the clock.

Pininfarina, who designed the coachwork of the 250GTE, also got the job of styling its 330GT replacement, which adopted a four-headlamp treatment rather than two, in order to meet the tastes of the important US export market at that time.

The Ferrari 330GT’s tubular chassis was 50mm longer in the wheelbase than the 250GTE, which provided more rear legroom for passengers than its cramped predecessor.

The suspension was independent up front using coil springs and wishbones and at the back was a live axle/semi-elliptic set-up. The all-wheel disc brakes were improved by using separate hydraulic circuits for front and rear.

The 330GT’s 4.0-litre V12 (Colombo-type) was the same engine that powered the 330 America (a big-bore 250GTE) in 1963. The single-overhead-camshaft, all-alloy powerplant produced in excess of 300hp (224kW) and was good for a top speed of 245km/h, making it the fastest Ferrari road car of the day.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 was first equipped with a four-speed-plus-overdrive transmission, but gained a five-speed box in mid-1965, along with a two-headlamp arrangement.