GTC/4

fest · Post by **fest** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:45 pm

in response to Tom's query:

I was under the impression that the 'C'
in GTC/4 meant Coupe

the first use of this moniker being the 330 GTC
to differentiate it from the 275 GTB / GTS series
which were rather different than the GTC
(it being the first (of many) Grand Touring Coupes)

this observation being gleaned
from the work of the esteemed Mr Batchelor

AKB
interested bystander

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:17 pm

Ok, so (B) Berlinetta is a two seater, a (C) Coupe is a 2+2, and the (S)Spider is a convertible. I used to think C was Competezione or competiton but I guess Coupe is the correct designation and makes sense.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

abrent · Post by **abrent** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:32 pm

alright, so if (C) means Coupe 2+2 - what does the (E) mean in the GTE. I have heard it relates to the engine tipo, however, all the cars I have seen have a type F, 128 Motor.

Any ideas?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:55 pm

Expanded (lengthened to 2+2) in Italian, Espanso.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

abrent · Post by **abrent** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:17 pm

Wow, you know I've had our car for 12 years now and that's the first time I have got an answer on this topic.

Thanks.

Regards,

Andrew.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:48 pm

Well, that is the explanation given to me by my father many, many years ago. To keep the confusion to a minimum, the factory identified the new, longer (expanded) chassis cars as GT/E. This was Ferraris first 2+2, so I guess they needed to keep things organized for their new venture.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:58 am

It could have meant "expensive" : .... :wink:

whturner · Post by **whturner** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:46 pm

Rudy van Daalen Wetters wrote:Ok, so (B) Berlinetta is a two seater, a (C) Coupe is a 2+2, and the (S)Spider is a convertible. I used to think C was Competezione or competiton but I guess Coupe is the correct designation and makes sense.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

Rudy: Why is my 330 GT (2+2) not a 330 GTC, and the 2 pass. 330 GTC not a 330 GTB? I am confused (as my wife sometimes thinks)

Cheers
Warren

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:13 pm

I have read a couple of times that the "E" in "GTE" comes from the 128E engine that was used for this car. This would explain why the 330 GT 2+2 is not a GTE.

abrent · Post by **abrent** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:18 pm

Hi Tom, yes as I mentioned the 128E thing was what I have read/been told etc over the years. The one thing that doesn't fit is the fact that all these cars seem to have the 128F engine. Even the later larger valve series all are called 128F, so I dunno where the 128E thing comes from. The Extenso reference makes sense, but it's the first I have heard of it.

I guess we should get some more opinion perhaps?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:26 pm

Than what happened to the GTF model?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

abrent · Post by **abrent** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:38 pm

[quote="Rudy van Daalen Wetters"]Than what happened to the GTF model?

Chenetti thought that 330 America had a better ring to the name perhaps?
;-)

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:44 pm

Warren,

Here's my understanding of the coupe designation and I saw your question coming. The Berlinetta is stricktly a two seater car no matter what. No more seats available, never. The Coupe designation applies to a model car that you could order with two OR four seats, ie. 330 GTC or 330 GT. The 365 same deal, 365 GTC (two seater) BUT available in four seats 365 GT 2+2. A "coupe" by definition, is a car that is available in either 2 or 4 seat configuration. A "2+2" by defintion, is car that has two front seats along with two less often used rear seats.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

whturner · Post by **whturner** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:44 pm

Rudy:

I don't think a my or your 330 GT could be morphed into a GTC (or the converse) under any circumstances. The chassis is quite different. and the body could not accomodate another pair of seats in any case. It is just a totally different car.
'
To quote Wikipedia: --- 330 GTC/GTS

"The 330 GTC and 330 GTS were more like their 275 counterparts than the 330 GT 2+2. They shared the short wheelbase of the 275 as well as its independent rear suspension.

The GTC berlinetta was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1966. It was a 2-seat coupe with a Pininfarina-designed body."

This definition does fit your original definition - and it is called a Berlinetta. It stiil leaves open the question as to why it was called a GT(C).
But who expects Ferrari to be always consistent.

Cheers
Warren

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:23 pm

Warren,

Absolutely as you mentioned, different cars between the two seater versus the four seater. However, it remains the "330 model" no matter what the underpinnings may be. The 330 GTC Berlinetta is most likely the more accurate and original description, telling you that it's a coupe (and coupes are 2 or 4 seaters) and that this one is a berlinetta, the two seater version. My thought is that the 'berlinetta' part was quickly lost and the car just evolved as the 330 GTC which became synonymous as a two seater. Ferrari marketing inconsistencies did not help out much either as you noted. Ideally, our cars should have been named 330 GTC 2+2's.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705