1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Shooting Brake at RM Sotheby's

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 11.01.2019

One of the star attractions at RM Sotheby’s auction at the Petersen Auto Museum in December was this one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Shooting Brake by Vignale

Expectations ranged between US$550-$750,000, however the final result was considerably less at US$313,000. 

Like the Ferrari Breadvan, the Shooting Brake design is polarising but it shows a creative flair and a leap outside the comfort zone rarely seen in car design these days. This one-off special started life as a 330GT Series II with Pininfarina coachwork when it rolled out the door of Ferrari’s Maranello factory in 1965. Finished in Rosso with a cream interior it was built to US-spec with its speedometer in miles per hour. Its first owner was Mr Desy who bought it from Luigi Chinetti Motors in Greenwich, Connecticut. Two years later the car returned to Chinetti Motors, at which time Luigi Chinetti Jr decided to have the car re-bodied with a unique shooting brake design. Chinetti Jr collaborated with American illustrator Bob Peak who penned the new coachwork. From there Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale in Turin, Italy, professionally rebodied the car.

The now station wagon design provided more comfortable seating for four with a cavernous luggage space. It was also repainted, in metallic green with a gold metallic roof, again polarising in its appearance. In addition to the new body, it also had an engine replacement. Once completed Vignale displayed the Shooting Brake on their stand at the 50th Annual Turin Motor Show.

The car was sent back to the states and Chinetti Jr who enjoyed driving it for many years. While all its history is unclear it is known from 1974 to 1977 the Shooting Brake was owned on the East Coast in the Philadelphia area and later New York.

In 1990 it was purchased by Parisian Jean-Claude Paturau, who commissioned the car’s restoration. Paturau retained ownership into the 2000s, over which time he showed it at prestigious concours events. Included are the 9th Annual Automobiles Classiques Louis Vuitton Concours d’Elégance at Bagatelle in Paris, Défilé d’Elégance Automobile at the Golf and Tennis Club of Valescure in Saint Raphael, France, and Villa d’Este Concours d’Elégance in Como-Cernobbio, Italy.

In 2011 the unique Ferrari was purchased by Grammy Award-winning Jamiroquai front man and noted Ferrari collector "Jay Kay" Jason Cheetham. Much like Paturau, Jay Kay enjoyed showing the car. It was displayed at the 3rd Kop Hill Climb commemoration held near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, England, the 2012 Salon Privé Concours held at Syon Park, London, and the 2015 Cartier Style et Luxe Concours held during the Festival of Speed at Goodwood. Shortly after, Jay Kay offered the car for sale and it went to Danny Baker of Ohio.

It was again repainted, this time in bronze metallic. A driver’s exterior mirror, ANSA exhaust tips, and knock-off alloy wheels were added.

Under its bonnet remained the 300hp 3967cc triple Weber fed V12 engine, bolted to a five-speed manual gearbox. The four bucket- seat interior is finished in tan leather and the wooden dash houses Veglia Borletti instrumentation. A wood-rimmed steering wheel and Blaupunkt radio complete the interior. Modern touches include power windows, steering, and even power brakes. Included with the sale is documentation from marque specialist Marcel Massini.

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