Likely the finest product of the Pininfarina-Ferrari collaboration, the achingly beautiful 330 GTS was introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1966, a few months after its close sibling, the 330 GTC, debuted at Geneva. A subtle blend of the basic styling cues of the Ferrari 275 and 400 Superamerica, the 330 GTS also included the chassis and fully independent suspension of the 275 GTS before it, with power delivered by an aluminum block and head 4.0L V-12 engine shared with 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 330 GTC offered ideal balance with a rear transaxle. In particular, the 330 GTS epitomized Italian GT styling with its subtle and seductive body styling and luxurious yet purposeful cockpit. True to its rich heritage, the 330 GTS was an electrifying performer, capable of speeds approaching 150 MPH with acceleration from rest to 60 MPH in about 7 seconds, while the quarter-mile dash required approximately 15 seconds at just under 100 MPH. Car & Driver magazine summed up the sparkling driving dynamics of the 330 GTS in its July 1967 issue best: “Driving it doesn’t change that first visual impression of class.” As it continued, “Depress clutch. Find neutral. Turn ignition key. Give the gas a tiny, nervous touch. Oh my God!” Accordingly, the Ferrari 330 GTC coupe and open GTS continue to rank without doubt among the finest all-around, road-going Ferraris ever made. The rarity and panache of the drop-top GTS only adds to that impression, with just 99 examples produced between late 1966 and the fall of 1968, when the 365 GTC/GTS arrived. S/N 10561, this 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS is an exceptionally compelling and handsomely presented, matching-numbers 330 GTS. Factory-equipped with air conditioning and a Blaupunkt radio and speakers, S/N 10561 was part of a 30-Ferrari group sold through Luigi Chinetti Motors to Bill Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors of Reno, Nevada, and shortly thereafter, the first owner acquired it. In the early 1970s, it was sold to a resident in the Southeastern United States. Subsequently repainted in red, the Ferrari was owned from 1974 by John Alexander, the top-10 world-ranked Australian tennis player whose career spanned the late 1960s through the mid-1980s and included seven singles and 27 doubles titles and was followed by a lengthy career as a television personality, sports commentator and, most recently, as a member of the Australian House of Representatives. During the mid-1970s, Alexander resided in the Atlanta, Georgia, area when he was a WCT touring professional. He owned S/N 10561 until 1981, when fellow Atlanta resident F.C. “Duke” Steinemann acquired it.
