[JazzyO]

Well, dear friends,

with the funds transferred I think it's time to unwrap my latest acquisition. I'll put some pics in the next post, but in the meantime a little story about how this came about.

On the last day of March, Vitalone was going to inspect progress on his 308 vetro and we agreed to meet at Maranello, a garage in Hilversum, Holland, that specialises in late '60ies and early '70ies Italian cars. It's a very nice establishment, with lots of quality Maseratis, Alfas, and Ferraris. Vitalone and I were immediately drawn by a blue 330GTC and as we were ogling it, the shop owner, Marco, came along. He started to show us how good the car was, and that the current owner leaves no expense spared when servicing his Ferraris (as an example, he owns one of the original Euro Daytona Spiders...). We were admiring and discussing the car for half an hour, and then the guy mentioned that perhaps the car was for sale and he mentioned the price. I was taken aback as it was seriously above any GTC advertised anywhere. But I said "let's keep in contact, I'll be in the market soon". I was seriously in love, but thought the car was too expensive.

I found the owner of the car very quickly - it is a famous car in Dutch historic Ferrari circles and everything about the car that I found on the Net felt right. So, about 4 weeks ago I sent an e-mail to Marco and after some coaxing from my side we agreed a date to view and drive the car. It was no problem driving the car - something I really appreciated. I specifically requested that the current owner be present, as I believe the owner will tell you whether this car is a good buy in seconds, just by his body language. Vitalone was also there, to provide a second opinion.

Arriving at the shop, the car was already on the bridge. Marco said: "just go and look at it from underneath - this car sells itself". And he was right - the car was just amazing. Everything straight, immaculate paint, everything clean.

The owner arrived a little later, and then I got an even greater impression of the car. He was passionate and knew everything about it, but he was also admitting he was very meticulous and maybe just too strict. It has to be all "just SO". Great, I thought, just the man you want to buy a car from. He told me that he was the 3rd owner, that he had imported the car from the US but originally it was a Swiss car, in the same ownership from 1967 - 1984. He had bought it in 1988 and restored it without any chassis or panel replacement. The car was back on the road in 1993, and has since covered 33k kms. It has not had any further restoration work, but it has been taken to the very best restorer in Holland (Auto Rubbio Classica) every year (!) to touch it up and keep it perfect.

After spending a couple of hours talking about the car, it was time for a test drive. Marco did the honours, and then he confided in me during the drive that the owner was not at all sure about letting the car go. Just the day before, he had said to Marco: "I'm not selling it". Just before the test drive he said "if I sell it I would like it to go very far away, so I don't have to see it anymore. She is too precious to me!". Please note - this car was never advertised, and Marco was only allowed to feel people out about it. The drive was a wonderful experience but I will comment on driving it later when I've gotten to know it better.

So, at the end of the day I'm in love but I'm still not quite convinced about the price. It is clear that the car is fabulous but the owner wants the very top end of the market bracket. I'm in love, though! In my heart, I have already bought the car, but being a diligent buyer I tried to see several other GTCs. In the end I saw only one - a so-called "concours" example. Well, frankly, it was a dee-oh-gee! I mean, a nice car and certainly better than many others out there, but compared to what I had already seen? Terrible! Suddenly I began to see that the asking price was actually what the car was worth. If you want to get another example to that standard, you're going to pay big bucks.

A couple of days later my mates and I are going on a trip to Maranello for the auction and Mille Miglia. Before we set off, I phone Marco and say "we have a deal from my side. I hope he wants to do me the honour of selling it to me". 5 very, very, long hours later the news comes: "it's a deal. The owner was very taken with you and thinks the car will go to the right owner. He is very happy! And he loves the fact that it will stay in the Dutch Ferrari Club".

I was over the moon! But now you understand why I kept this a bit quiet - I didn't want to put any strain on the deal as the owner is a very private person.

I'm picking her up Friday the 5th of June, then we have an inaugural lunch the day after with some Ferrari mates, and then a couple of days later we'll get to know each other (driver and car) during FLED2!!! I just can't wait.

But I want you all to know - I feel very special about how this came together. Without FerrariLife, and Boxer's 308 now owned by Vitalone, this would never have happened. It feels like serendipity. So it is the ONLY car to take to FLED2!

Time, after this long long story, for some pics! They don't do the car justice but I will take better pics once I've taken delivery.


Onno

[JazzyO]

Some pics.

[Granucci]

What

OMG Jazzy with you and Jimmy getting new babies, I'm like, ya' know, VERY Envious.

CONGRATS guy......post more PICS and driving experience.

rik

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Very, very nice, Onno. That's a gorgeous 330 GTC. You made a great choice there. You can tell this car was under excellent owners. My imagination is already visualizing this car moving thru the roads in Swiss with an extremely happy, new owner and a big smile on his face ? Congratulations, Onno. Looking forward much to your driving impressions and pics. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Finally Onno....there she is....gorgeous, wonderful Perfect colour combination...stunning. My sincere congratulations again. Well bought...well done !!

She will love our roads...she will loose her virginity under your hands on the steering wheel. Passes and hundreds (believe me, I'm serious) of bends will straighten her to become one with you !

[Granucci]

that's it, I'm moving to Europe

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Granucci

that's it, I'm moving to Europe

Rik, so that is why you want to move to Europe ? w/ smiles Jimmy

[archiegibbs]

Congrats Onno, a fine addition to your stable, you are a very worthy custodian of such a fine machine

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 212Export

She will love our roads...she will loose her virginity under your hands on the steering wheel. Passes and hundreds (believe me, I'm serious) of bends will straighten her to become one with you !

Well, you can say a lot about her but a virgin she is not. A very experienced lover, actually - the current owner has had her sideways at almost every opportunity, and has taken her all over Europe. She also has uprated (non-standard) suspension to give her better handling (although the originals come with the car and it is easy to revert back to them). I forget what it is exactly that was done to the suspension, perhaps just different shocks.

In any case, I therefore hope I can live up to her expectations! Perhaps she can teach me a few tricks...

BTW - thanks for all the kind words, everyone.


Onno

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Onno: With the mentioned uprated suspension and the works, this car is indeed a special one. So graceful and elegant. I particularly like that rear three-quarter angle view. Looking forward to more pics. w/ smiles Jimmy

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Looking forward to more pics. w/ smiles Jimmy

I look forward to the opportunity to take some pics! These are the longest two weeks of my life!!


Onno

[212Export]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I look forward to the opportunity to take some pics! These are the longest two weeks of my life!!


Onno

Don't worry, the time to fled 2 will pass. And do not forget to pray...for good weather conditions. I would hate to help you put snow chains around your beautiful 330 GTC's Borrani's !

[212Export]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Well, you can say a lot about her but a virgin she is not. A very experienced lover, actually - the current owner has had her sideways at almost every opportunity, and has taken her all over Europe. She also has uprated (non-standard) suspension to give her better handling (although the originals come with the car and it is easy to revert back to them). I forget what it is exactly that was done to the suspension, perhaps just different shocks.

In any case, I therefore hope I can live up to her expectations! Perhaps she can teach me a few tricks...

BTW - thanks for all the kind words, everyone.


Onno

Onno, I meant a "virgin" under YOUR hands ! I'm sure you both will have plenty of time to learn each other to know under very different conditions. Straights, long curves, very narrow hairpins, 25 degrees and down to 5 degrees etc. Its like living thru a long marriage within days !

[212Export]

Onno I almost forgot, the picture with the 330 GTC's handbook AND parts book is very nice but I've seen the that car comes even with the "guarantee booklet". This is very rare and very nice to have, Congratulations !

[agp22]

JazzyO, awesome! and I hope you enjoy it as much as you expect to.

Interestingly, the chassis and layout seems very close to that of a Daytona.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by agp22

Interestingly, the chassis and layout seems very close to that of a Daytona.

I noticed that too!

Originally Posted by 212Export

Onno I almost forgot, the picture with the 330 GTC's handbook AND parts book is very nice but I've seen the that car comes even with the "guarantee booklet". This is very rare and very nice to have, Congratulations !

Yes, it's great, and they're all in the original Ferrari cover book. The complete toolset is there as well, as well as the original spare wheel.

Originally Posted by 212Export

I would hate to help you put snow chains around your beautiful 330 GTC's Borrani's !

They're Campagnolo's... but I get your point!


Onno

[212Export]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

I noticed that too!



Yes, it's great, and they're all in the original Ferrari cover book. The complete toolset is there as well, as well as the original spare wheel.



They're Campagnolo's... but I get your point!


Onno

Veeeeery beautiful. Onno I used to have 2 sets of wheels for my 330 GTC Chassis 11339, and liked both very much. A pair of Campagnolos and a pair of Borranis. If you are ever interested to read about my former 330 GTC, have a look in the magazine "Cavallino" No. 160, page 58 to 65 ! I restored it interieur wise by myself. The car resides in Holland today as well.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 212Export

If you are ever interested to read about my former 330 GTC, have a look in the magazine "Cavallino" No. 160, page 58 to 65 ! I restored it interieur wise by myself. The car resides in Holland today as well.

I shall try and find the article, 212export, of course very interested.


Onno

[JazzyO]

Another 6 hours! Then I'm picking up the car. Thankfully, my magic has worked again and it looks like we'll have some sunshine this afternoon.

Can't wait - this really is very exciting!

@212Export - I've got the article on your ex-GTC in digital format. Very nice article and it turns out the Dutch owner actually lives in the town I'm picking up my 330 today! So he only lives about 15kms from my house. I'll see if I can track him down, would be nice to do a GTC drive with your old car!

More news and pics follow very soon!


Onno

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Well, dear friends,

But I want you all to know - I feel very special about how this came together. Without FerrariLife, and Boxer's 308 now owned by Vitalone, this would never have happened. It feels like serendipity. So it is the ONLY car to take to FLED2!

Onno

It is terrific how it all came together! Congratulations and I wish you many happy and safe miles behind the wheel of your magnificent 330 GTC. Roll on Fled 2!