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www.QV500.com - Ferrari 250 GTO Part 4: 330 LM Berlinetta |
 330 LM chassis 4725 SA, 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours |
An interesting side-note worthy of discussion when considering Ferrari's 250 GTO are the four vehicles known as 330 LM Berlinetta's. Although developed with the intention of competing in the experimental GT class of the World Championship for Manufacturers (whereas the GTO raced in production GT’s), the 330 LM B shared a number of inextricably linked features that make them a very close relative of the GTO. The fundamental areas of differentiation between these two models were the LM's longer wheelbase chassis and more powerful 4-litre engine. But in order to qualify for the experimental GT class, it was still necessary to use a close variant of the 250 GTO's Tipo 539 chassis. |
| With the wheelbase stretched by 100mm (to 2500mm), the new frame, designated Tipo 574, could accommodate Maranello's longer Tipo 163 LM 4-litre engine. Indeed, the motors used in these 330 LM Berlinetta's were as good as identical to that hot 4-litre unit used in Ferrari's 1962 Le Mans 24 Hours winning 330 TRI (chassis 0808). Designated Tipo 163/566, this single overhead camshaft, 60° V12 featured a displacement of 3967cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 77mm x 71mm respectively. Power was rated as 400bhp at 7000rpm with a bank of six triple-choke Weber 42 DCN downdraught carburettors. But whereas the original GTO had been penned by Giotto Bizzarrini, he had been a victim of the 1961 ‘Palace Revolt’ and consequently, the design of this next evolution fell to Pininfarina who aimed to produce an even more aerodynamic package. In some ways, it was surprising that Pininfarina chose to retain the Bizzarrini GTO front end, however, when considering it's drag efficiency, it would have been a little unwise not to incorporate it. So the nose was inherited from the 250 GTO but from the windscreen back, fundamental alterations were made. The cabin and glass area were unmistakably from Pininfarina's 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso street car that had been debuted in late 1962, this car also having inspired the LM B's flush rear wings and sloping tail. |
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But there were specification and aestehtic differences from one car to the next. For instance, chassis 4619 SA was fitted with a synchromesh 4-speed gearbox whereas the remaining three cars all had crash boxes. Meanwhile, 4619 SA, was completed bereft of the spoiler. As one would expect from a serious competition machine, the interiors were produced bereft of all but the most necessary trim for endurance racing. Classic heavily bolstered bucket seats, a crackle-black finish 250 GTO dash, open four-speed gate transmission and a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel were all signature Ferrari items of the sixties. |
| Monza, April 1963 was where the 330 LM Berlinetta made it's debut, this new model being presented to the press along with Ferrari's 250 P sports prototype. An early spring launch allowed Ferrari enough development time to travel to the Le Mans 24 Hours with possibly the strongest line-up they could have hoped for with those new 250 P sports prototypes, 330 LM B's in the experimental GT category, an army of GTO's and even a few SWB's. All but one of the 330 LM B's (chassis 4619 SA) travelled to Le Mans with 4725 SA, the Maranello Concessionaires entry driven by Jack Sears and Mike Salmon, finishing a fine fifth. It is safe to assume that Ferrari would have been reasonably happy with the result in '63, cars wearing a prancing horse filling the top six places, 250P, 250 GTO, 250 P, 250 GTO, 330 LM B and 250 GTO finishing in that order. After Le Mans, only chassis 4725 SA saw any further significant competition use with a final appearance at Brands Hatch for the Guards Trophy where it finished eighth overall and first in class. Only four of these cars were ever manufactured, the chassis numbers of which are listed below. Collectors should be aware though, that one 250 GTO (chassis 4713 GT) was actually fitted new with a 330 LM B style body and it is this vehicle that placed sixth in the aforementioned 1963 Le Mans 24 Hour race. It is not included in the index below as it retained the chassis and mechanical components of a 250 GTO and is thus considered as one.
330 LM Berlinetta Chassis Index |
| 4381 SA | Bolt-on spoiler, 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours DNF |
| 4453 SA | Bolt-on spoiler, 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours DNF |
| 4619 SA | Used as a road car, no race history |
| 4725 SA | RHD, riveted spoiler, 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours 5th |