There Can Be only One: The Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato
Beauty Truly is in the Eye of the Beholder
At first glance the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato is like a train wreck. At once revolting and intriguing. Either way you just can’t take your eyes off it. It stands as a unique piece of automotive history; transformed from its original form after a minor accident in 1972. Initially delivered as a standard 330 GTC, the car’s brush with fate led to a redesign by Zagato, complete with a targa roof. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, I suppose. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s still a Ferrari nonetheless.
The 330 GTC Zagato is built on the same chassis as the 275 GTB Berlinetta and is powered by a SOHC V12 engine with three twin choke Weber 40 carburetors (have fun adjusting those). The engine’s performance is complemented by a suspension featuring independent front and rear setups with unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars. Stopping power comes from disc brakes on all four corners. A five-speed transmission ensures both the power and poise remain planted on the road.
Performance mirrors that of the original 330 GTC, but the Zagato stands out due to its unique bodywork — which probably affects its aerodynamics. The redesign by Zagato is a distinctive departure from traditional Ferrari aesthetics to say the least. The targa roof and angular lines are reminiscent of Michelotti’s Daytona NART Spiders, yet the car certainly retains a singularly unique identity. It may be best described as a blend of eras, moving from the curves typical of the 1960s to the more geometric designs of the 1970s.
Its allure is magnified by its backstory of restoration and transformation, yet the one and only existing Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato failed to sell at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba auction in 2019. Perhaps this unique rebirth blending accident-induced opportunity with unparalleled craftsmanship will cross the block again sometime soon?
