While the lineage of mid-engine V-8 supercars has been a runaway success for Ferrari over recent decades, for many the quintessential models in the Maranello range are the 12-cylinder grand tourers. Built between 1966 and 1968, the 330 GTC was one such example. Beneath the elegant Pininfarina-designed bodywork, which featured styling cues from the 275 GTC and 500 Superfast, nestled a 4-litre Colombo V-12 engine fitted with three Weber carburettors to produce 300 horsepower at a sonorous 7,000 rpm. Supplied as standard with a full leather interior and electric windows, it made for a wonderful continental cruiser.

From the first year of production and originally finished in Silver Grey over Nero Franzi leather, chassis 8873 is believed to be the 25th of the 600 examples of the 330 GTC built. One of 579 left-hand-drive cars, it was delivered in August 1966 and imported to Switzerland. Subsequently repainted red, the Ferrari remained in the country before entering the long-term ownership of Mr Gino Chiesa of Bubendorf in 1983. He kept the GTC for some 32 years. Towards the end of his custodianship, 7,061 Swiss francs was paid in August 2011 to Garage Salvadori Ivo to cover cleaning the engine, chassis, and underbody, while the exhaust was replaced and brake system refreshed. The following March, the seats were retrimmed in work totalling 2,456 Swiss francs. The car was then bought in June 2015 by Ferrari Club Austria vice-president Mr Josef Panis. He oversaw a repaint to the factory Silver Grey shade.

The subsequent owner was keen a historic racer, Mr Robin Bernberg. He tasked Ferrari specialist GTO Engineering with carrying out a full inspection, with chassis 8873 duly awarded Ferrari Classiche certification in July 2019. The car was then acquired in the early 2020s by its consigning keeper, who had the 330 repainted in its current blue hue by 355 Automobile Restorations of Surrey. Thereafter, the car returned to GTO Engineering for regular servicing (invoices available to view on file).

Accompanied by a history file, “Red Book”, and report by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, this supremely glamorous 330 GTC makes for, as its name suggests, a consummate grand-touring coupé.