From introduction, the 330 GTS remains one of the finest products of Ferrari’s longstanding collaboration with Turin’s renowned Pininfarina coachworks. A stunning V-12-powered spider, the 330 GTS broke cover at the October 1966 Paris Salon, a few months after its 330 GTC sibling debuted at Geneva. A masterfully subtle blend of the basic styling elements of the Ferrari 275 GTS and 400 Superamerica, the 300 GTS featured a chassis and fully independent suspension system that were extensions of the 275 design, powered by an aluminum block and head 4.0L V-12 engine shared with its direct ancestor, the 330 GT 2+2. Yet, whereas the prior 330 GT 2+2 was fitted with an engine-mounted 5-speed gearbox, the new 330 GTS and closed 330 GTC featured a 5-speed manual gearbox within a rear transaxle for excellent weight distribution and balance. From its classic Ferrari nose treatment fitted with Pininfarina’s signature oval, shallow, egg crate grille design, to its triple louvers on the front fenders and on to the seductively tapered tail, the 330 GTS epitomized the best of mid-1960s Italian GT styling. Inside the remarkably spacious and luxuriously appointed interior compartment were twin leather-clad bucket seats, a rich wood-rimmed aluminum steering wheel and full instrumentation. As its specifications and layout clearly suggested, the 330 GTS was, and remains a strong and capable performer, able to reach speeds approaching 150 MPH with acceleration from rest to 60 MPH in about 7 seconds and the quarter- mile dash requiring only an approximate 15 seconds at just under 100 MPH. A Road & Track magazine road-test report summed up the 330 GTS experience best, concluding that “Ferrari continues to progress toward the perfect sports car. The 330 GTS is not just a wonderful, exciting open roadster but also a comfortable everyday car that doesn’t mind being driven to the supermarket. If it’s still tough to justify that $15,000 tag, just remember that you can’t get anything like it for anything less.” The 330 GTC coupe and open 330 GTS continue to firmly rank among the finest all-around, road-going classic V-12 Ferrari models ever produced. The rarity and panache of the drop-top 330 GTS only heightens that impression, with marque experts citing the production of 100 examples between late 1966 and the advent of the larger-displacement 365 GTC and 365 GTS during the autumn of 1968. Listed in “Ferrari Serial Numbers: Part I” by Hillary A. Raab, this original left-hand drive, U.S.-specification 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS bears Serial No. 11085. It was originally built in the very rare factory color combination of Rosso Cino (China Red) with a beige leather interior. A late-production example, Serial No. 11085 is the 92nd car of the series built, and it was delivered in July 1968 to U.S. Ferrari distributor Luigi Chinetti Motors. Powered by the renowned 3967cc V-12 engine sporting triple Weber twin-choke carburetors, it also features the classically gated shift quadrant controlling the 5-speed manual gearbox/rear transaxle and power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes. Appropriately finished in Ferrari’s trademark Rosso Corsa (Racing Red) paint with black leather upholstery, Serial No. 11085 is well equipped with a Blaupunkt radio, electric window lifts and visually striking Borrani chrome knock-off wire wheels. Of further interest, Serial No. 11085 sports a fascinating dash plaque from Germany’s renowned Scuderia Hanseat driving school, engraved with the name Otto C. Winzen. Known to committed aviation historians, the German-born Winzen contributed to the American space program during the 1950s and 1960s, performing advanced research and development work that helped make high-altitude manned flight possible. Winzen is also fondly remembered as a prolific collector of the greatest postwar European sports cars, making his possible connection to Serial No. 11085 a worthy topic for further research and study for committed Ferrari enthusiasts.
