Unveiled at the Geneva Salon in March 1966, the Ferrari 330 GTC (Gran Turismo Coupé) was designed to complement Ferrari’s sporting berlinetta, the 275 GTB. Combining many design elements of the most beautiful Ferrari automobiles, the 330 GTC offered the latest development of Colombo’s legendary V-12 engine and a chassis closely patterned after the 275 GTB. Legendary racing drivers Phil Hill and Paul Frère both proclaimed the model to be the best Ferrari built to date, and one of the best GT cars ever made.

In 1968, the 330 GTC received a number of upgrades, including an increase in engine displacement to 4.4 litres (good for an additional 20 horsepower), resulting in the 365 GTC. The new model was immediately identifiable by the relocation of the front wing vents to the bonnet. The improved engine featured greater power at a lower range of the rpm band, with strong torque developing as low as 2,500 rpm. In addition to offering better mechanical performance than its predecessor, the 365 GTC was built in a far smaller quantity, with just 168 examples produced between 1968 and 1970.

Chassis 11997, the example offered here, finished production at the factory in November 1968, and it was delivered new in December to the official dealer M. Gastone Crepaldi, of Milan, Italy. It was later exported from Italy to California, U.S.A., in the 1970s, where it resided throughout the ’80s. By the mid-1980s, it had accumulated a mere 14,000 miles, and in 1987, chassis 11997 returned to Europe, under the ownership of Mr Wolfgang Hermann, of Wesel, Germany. Hermann maintained the car until 1994, when it was purchased by Mr Werner, of Düsseldorf. In 1999, still in Düsseldorf, 11997 was purchased by Andreas Ewert Wessel Baron Freytag von Loringhoven. In 2006, the engine was removed, the cylinder heads were rebuilt, a new exhaust was installed, and the front suspension was rebuilt. Continuing into 2007, the gearbox and differential were fully rebuilt, as was the rear suspension. During this time, routine maintenance was also performed to the carburettors, brakes, electrical system, etc. The work amounted to over €40,000, and copies of the receipts remain on file.

Upon acquisition of chassis 11997, the current vendor elected to perfect the Ferrari, further spending an additional 300 hours professionally sorting out the car, including replacing the air conditioning unit with all-new original parts, rebuilding the brake callipers, replacing fuel and water hoses, and replacing the alternator and master brake cylinder, as well as completely sorting out any remaining electrical issues. In addition to the mechanical work, 11997 has been thoroughly serviced and detailed, including proper wet sanding and polishing. Included with the car is also a set of tools, as well as a reproduction owner’s manual.

Offering desirability, rarity, and effortless performance, this elegant 365 GTC bears stunning testament to the genius of Ferrari’s luxurious sporting coupés of the late 1960s. It is a well-maintained example that was refinished in an exquisite and chic colour combination, and it reliably operates with trademark Ferrari performance and presents with voluptuous flair. This powerful and suave GTC offers its next owner exhilarating V-12 acceleration with the luxurious tractability of a Ferrari grand tourer.