One to Buy: 1 of 1 ex-works 1962 Ferrari 330 LM - the ultimate GTO
Set to go under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s at a special event in New York on November 13th is one of the most exciting and valuable motor cars ever to come to market: the ex-works 1962 Ferrari 330 LM chassis 3765 LM.
Ferrari created the unique 1962-specification 330 LM to contest that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours where the Automobile Club de l’Ouest had organised a special Experimental class for vehicles with engines of up to four-litres.
By contrast, purpose-built Prototypes competing for the 1962 World Sportscar Championship’s Coupes des Sport (a sub-category to the main championship which was decided by GT cars) had to run engines with a displacement no greater than three-litres.
Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin all prepared works cars for the four-litre class at Le Mans, most of which were specially adapted from existing models.
In Ferrari’s case, they chose to prepare two cars: the modified 330 TRI/LM and a brand new long wheelbase version of the 250 GTO dubbed the 330 LM which was able to accommodate a highly tuned competition version of the four-litre engine found in the 400 Superamerica.
The completed machine, chassis, 3765 LM, had a preparatory outing at the 1962 Nurburgring 1000km where a four-litre class was organised to give the new cars some track time ahead of Le Mans. Here, the 330 LM driven by Mike Parkes and Willy Mairesse qualified and finished second and also won its class.
Despite having gone second fastest in practice at Le Mans (where 3765 LM was allocated to Mike Parkes and Lorenzo Bandini), grid positions were decided on engine size and the 330 LM started sixth.
Unfortunately, damage to the radiator caused by an opening lap trip into the Tertre Rouge sand bank ultimately caused 3765 LM to retire just after quarter distance.
Ferrari subsequently went on to produce a batch of re-bodied cars for 1963 dubbed 330 LMB. Meanwhile chassis 3765 LM was fitted with a three-litre GTO engine, a five-speed gearbox (to replace the original four-speed unit) and sold off.
Today the car is offered in superb restored condition complete with a substantial spares package and a mass of period documentation that outlines its fascinating history.
