330 GT Registry

15 DECEMBER 1979 – VOL, 4 No. 25

330 GT 2+2

At first glance the career of the 330 GT 2+2 seems to be quite simple. Introduced in early 1964 as a replacement for the 250 GTE 2+2 (or actually, as a replacement for the short-lived 330 America), it remained in production through late 1967 when it was in turn replaced by the 365 ST 2+2. There were two versions made, referred to in the Maranello Concessionaire’s booklet, “Ferrari Guide”, as the Mk. 1 and the Mk. 2 versions, with the most obvious difference being the abandonment of the four headlight frontal treatment in favor of a more conventional two headlight design. Also, the “Mk. 2” version had a five- speed gearbox and other mechanical improvements, as well as air conditioning and power steering as options.

Unfortunately, as often proves to be the case with Ferrari, where improvements are made as they are deemed necessary, and not to meet some arbitrary criteria such as a new model year, the history of the evolution of the 330 GT 2+2 is not that simple. For the past few days I have been delving into the published factory literature to try and determine the exact chronology of the changes.

There were two spare parts catalogs published for the 330 GT 2+2, with the later one bearing only the date “1965” so the mechanical changes can only be said to have occurred at approximately that time (more on the exact point later). These mechanical changes consisted of a new five-speed gearbox and the use of a Borg & Beck clutch in place of the four-speed + overdrive and Fichtel & Sachs clutch; an electric fan replacing the thermostatic engine-driven fan; a new timing case and water pump; a single brake booster and dual master cylinder in place of the two boosters and separate master cylinder; a new pedal layout with suspended pedals in place of pedals coming up through the floorboard; and alloy wheels as standard in place of the wire wheels. It should be noted that the later spare parts catalog also shows the air conditioning equipment, but no mention is made of power steering. The supplement to the owner’s manual, also dated 1965, has neither the air conditioning nor the power steering featured, and it is not until a sales brochure that detailed the1967 production that these two features are listed as optional.

While it is often claimed that the body style was changed at this same time, knowledgeable Ferraristi have long been aware of four-headlight versions with the five-speed, suspended pedals, etc. So when did the changes actually occur?

The Pininfarina Body Spare Parts catalog for the type gives some definite clues. While once again many minor changes were made along the way as practicality demanded, it appears that major changes in the body occurred after the first 500 examples were made, and again after 625 examples. While not all of the changes that occurred after the first 500 are indicative of a mechanical change, some of them are--the carpeting, transmission tunnel, etc.--which seem to indicate that it was at that point that the five-speed and suspended pedals were introduced. The changes that occurred after 625 appear to all be concerned with aesthetics--the reversion to single headlights, new bumpers with over-riders, new vents in the front fenders, etc.

There were also a great number of changes made to the interior after 750 bodies had been produced, but none of these appear, to have had any direct relationship to mechanical changes.

Finally, very late in its career, the 330 GT 2+2 was given a new engine, one with only two mounting points, as used on the 330 GTC and 330 GTS, and the five-speed transmission received a new case with a new mounting system. These details were apparently not shown in any spare parts catalog.

Published & Edited by Gerald Roush 850 Maxey Hill Ct. Stone Mountain GA 30083

© 1979 G. ROUSH