Nothing more clearly shows the evolution of Ferrari into the premier constructor of grand touring automobiles than the 1966 Geneva Auto Show debut of the 330 GTC. It offered a 4.0-litre engine in a chassis closely patterned after the 275 GTB, with coachwork by Pininfarina, and combining a gorgeous nose reminiscent of the 400 Superamerica, with a prominent beltline from the doors back, culminating in a tail that paid homage to the 275 GTS. The thin-pillared, airy greenhouse owes little to any prior Ferrari, but it crisply reflects Pininfarina’s mastery of form and unifies this potentially disparate collection of design elements into a clean and refreshing form of its own.

In keeping with its intended mission as a grand touring car, the 330 GTC’s interior accommodations are both commodious and luxurious, with ample luggage room both in the boot and behind the seats. It was an exceptionally comfortable automobile in which to motor rapidly. Some six hundred 330 GTCs were built in the years before it was succeeded by the 365 GTC.

The 330 GTC offered here at Villa Erba had its chassis frame sent to Pininfarina in September 1966, and its engine was completed that November. The automobile was finished in February 1967 and delivered by Rome concessionaire Motor S.a.s. di Carla Allegretti e C. to local resident Antonio Colaiacomo. Colaiacomo retained the car until 1974, during which time it was judiciously serviced and maintained at the Ferrari Factory Assistenza Clienti at Viale Trento Trieste in Modena. It then passed through the hands of two movie companies in Rome, Cineluce Roma S.r.l. and GGR S.r.l., before being acquired in 1980 by Paola Paoli, of Pisa, who displayed it at Ferrari Days in Modena in September 1983. In 1984, the car passed to Alessandro Boldrini, of Italy, and it was again put out on display, this time at the Ferrari Club Italia meeting at Alessandria.

Today, the car is still an extremely nice example, presented in its original Argento over Bleu Connolly hides, just as it was when it left the factory, and with its original “A34686-ROMA” registration, giving it a delightful period-correct flair; this Ferrari literally, and proudly, carries its history with it. Having undergone a recent full mechanical overhaul by specialist Borghi, with invoices on file for €76,000, it is in excellent running order, and it was accompanied by its original Italian libretto, and books.

All 330 GTCs are quick, sexy, and practical Ferraris, and they have recently reignited the passion and enthusiasm of knowledgeable collectors. This is a very nice example that is presented in its original and highly desirable factory colour scheme, and it’s fully matching-numbers chassis, engine, gearbox, and rear axle. It would still appear perfectly appropriate tearing through Rome or speeding across the fabulous mountain passes of Italy today.