Ferrari 330 GTO
In 1962 Ferrari began working on a 4-liter version of their GT contender that was forced to run in the prototype class. This featured both a revised 250 GTO chassis and body with the 4-liter Super America engine.
The Tipo 163/566 competition engine was tuned with high compression pistons and Testa Rosso-spec camshafts. It was similar to the competition 250 GTO engine with a much longer stroke and smaller redline. The unit was capable of 390 to 400 bhp and was also used in the Le Mans-winning 330 TRI/LM. Attached to it was a bespoke 4-Speed transmission with no synchromesh gears.2
The chassis was effectively a 250 GTO modified for the 4-liter engine and lengthened to 2420 mm. In 1963 Ferrari produced a bespoke chassis for this model can called it the 330 Le Mans Berlinetta.
The first car was prepared by SEFAC Ferrari for the 1962 Nürburgring 1000kms and placed 2nd overall behind the winning Dino 246SP. This car, chassis 3673SA appeared much like a 250 GTO with a power bulge in the front hood. Unfortunately it was badly damaged before Le Mans and a replacement was built on chassis 3765LM.
At Le Mans, 3765LM was raced by Lorenzo Bandini and Mike Parkes with number 7. Unfortunately they retired due to overheating. The 330 TRI/LM won the event outright using the same engine and chassis in a Spyder configuration.
After Le Mans 3765LM was eventually fitted with a 3-liter engine and raced by Ferdinando Latteri in Italy throughout 1965.
One More For the Road
At the request of Michel Paul-Cavalier, a third and final 330 GTO on chassis 4561SA was built to his own specification for road use. This included a lengthened wheel base, brake booster, fully covered front lights and a full interior trim in blue upholstery. Despite being made for the road the car featured a full Tipo 163/566 competition engine and Tipo 539/566 chassis but a unique transmission with synchromesh gears.2
Photos & Image Gallery
See full 1962 Ferrari 330 GTO Gallery here
Ferrari 330 GTO Videos
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Racing Car |
| production years | 1962 – 1963 |
| built at | Maranello, Italy |
| body stylist | Giotto Bizzarrini |
| coachbuilder | Carrozzeria Scaglietti |
| engineers | Giotto Bizzarrini, Mauro Forghieri |
| production | 3 |
| succeccesor | 1963 Ferrari 330 LM Berlinetta |
| engine | Tipo 163/566 60º V12 w/Dry Sump Lubrication |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| ignition | Twin Marelli Distributors |
| block material | Silumin Aluminum Alloy |
| valvetrain | Chain-Driven SOHC, 2 Valves / Cyl |
| fuel feed | 6 Weber 42DCN Carburetors |
| displacement | 3967 cc / 242.1 in³ |
| bore | 77 mm / 3.03 in |
| stroke | 71 mm / 2.8 in |
| compression | 9.2:1 |
| power | 298.3 kw / 400.0 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 100.83 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 421.05 bhp per tonne |
| redline | 7500 |
| body / frame | Aluminum body over Tipo 539/566 Steel Chassis |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Boranni Spoked Wire |
| front brakes | Discs |
| rear brakes | Discs |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Koni Adjustable Shock Absorbers, 18mm Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Koni Shock Aborbers, Dual Watts Linkages |
| curb weight | 950 kg / 2094 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2420 mm / 95.3 in |
| front track | 1422 mm / 56.0 in |
| rear track | 1414 mm / 55.7 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| tran clutch | Single-Plate Clutch |
Sources & Further Reading
1. Pourret, Jess. Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars. Haynes, 1977.
2. Bluemel, Keith and Jess Pourret. Ferrari 250 GTO. Bay View Books, 1998.
3. Pritchard, Anthony. Ferrari 250 GTO. Haynes, 2010.
