330 GTS Bill Harrah’s on BaT

I was surprised to see this silver 330 GTS on Bring a Trailer. With only 99 in the world I would think it would be in one of the big auctions rather than BaT. Some mods that aren’t original eg mufflers. Harrah had it modified early on to be a targa for his wife. Guess the targa didn’t mess up her hair like the convertible does…lol. A later owner had it properly revised to be a true GTS style.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-ferrari-330-gts/
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99 not 100 made?

 

Not sure…I have seen 99 and 100 as the number built.There is probably an expert here that might know. Calling @Marcel Massini ….

 

I grew up with #10357 a 330 GTS. My dad bought it from artist Jamie Wyeth in 1972. I drove it as an 18 year old….lucky me… Wish I had an extra $3m laying around to by Harrah’s car.
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Finance it, then liquidate some of your other treasures to pay it off...

 

Some are betting that this car doesn't make it to $2M...

 

I have thought of selling much of my collection to buy a 275 GTS. But then I go to my garage and try to figure out what must go. It took me a few years to collect my favs. I like them all!! The 330 GTC is my favorite. I had that car completely mechanically restored. Buy some else’s 275 just would make sense for me.

 

It just doesn’t belong on BaT. The seller is making a big mistake here. If it doesn’t sell no auction will want it (ok maybe Mecum). Every one will know it did not meet the reserve and low bids it receives.

 

This car has made the laundry list of auction companies - including Mecum! They actually got a bunch of money for it in 2016 when the market may have been stronger for these cars. Since then, it has been a "no-sale" at several auctions. The latest was Broad Arrow 2024 where bidding stopped at $1.75M.

I think the history of the "targa conversion" by Bill Harrah, then it's return to the spider configuration makes some consider this a "cut car" and hurts its value. Personally, I would have no issue owning it at $1.5-$2M, but would not want to be in it for$2.25-$2.5M. That's pretty much the top of the market for 330GTS sales BTW. Your dad's car at $2.9M was an outlier...

 

I didn’t know that the Harrah car was a no sale at Broad Arrow. You are right…the market for desirable vintage Ferraris has gotten soft.

 

I think even the 330 GTC market is soft - which is where I am more likely to participate. Some would say that the lower cost cars have needs, but what seems to be true is that all of these series of cars have some needs. Even the most highly cared for and fully restored cars can be full of "surprises"...

 

Well, anyone who has been involved with vintage cars long enough and truly understands the meaning of "restoration" very well knows the terms "completely -" or "fully restored" are the most misused ones associated with them.
At least 99.9% of vintage cars claimed to have been "completely/fully" restored, simply just aren't.

 

Haven´t ever heard of that targa. After a quick search, I think reverting it to its original form was a good idea.

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nice. i actually like it but maybe a gtc would have been a better candidate for a targa conversion.

 

In the instance of the subject car, there is no reassurance that the engine is sound - other than that it has been "resealed" in semi-recent history. And, the seller has not addressed several requests for compression and leakdown numbers. Additionally, the seats are claimed to be "re-dyed", yet there are no current pictures of the result (to the best of my knowledge). We all know that re-dying seats is not a durable/long-term solution for worn, cracked old leather. The touted Classiche status gives no assurance that it can reliably go down the road.

In any event, there are a number of things at play that suggest that this not a $2M car... if one truly evaluates the potential needs as well as the recent comps...

 

I know a 330 GTC that is solid but it needs paint and other cosmetics to make it a proper GTC. If you are up for a good driver it’s owned by a guy I know. He is anxious to sell.

 

As they say in the biz….run away!!

 

With all due respect, but this ^^ is nothing new or earth shattering to anyone who's been around long enough and as I mentioned, same can be said of just about all concours/show winning cars, including most platinum winning (vintage) Ferraris, especially lower rung models.

For example, to me, a fully restored and/or properly sorted vintage car can be taken at any given moment and driven any distance or type of driving it was originally designed, engineered & intended for, i.e. in case of any GT car similar to the subject of this topic should be drivable from let's say LA to Denver (and back) without any hesitation or worry.
If it can't live up to such expectation, it's likely not fully or even well sorted/restored car.

 

Which is the big risk buying online and/or at auction...

 

Steve, for some reason, I recall the 275 GTS cars didn't have a torque tube. I wonder if this is true for the 330 GTS cars.

 

All 330 GTS and GTC were basically the same car and have a torque tube.

 

Good to know. I always liked the 330 GTS cars, even though I'm not a drop top fan. The GTS looks sleeker.

 

Lucky me I got to grow with this one.
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And TF….you will see this car at the Highlands Motoring Festival. Along with a Daytona Spyder!!

You will be driving my SuperAmerica through the mountains!

 

One of the books I have read on 330GTS claims the oil cooler was added part way through production.
A small detail I know, but still valid desire