Few words sit further apart than “Ferrari” and “shooting brake.” Yet, throughout Maranello’s long history, only a handful of estate-style Ferraris have ever been built, from the 250 GT Breadvan to the 456 Venice commissioned for the royal family of Brunei. Today, we take a closer look at another truly special example: the Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake by Vignale.
From Maranello to Vignale: How the Idea Took Shape
The story begins in 1965, when the car left Maranello as a standard 330 GT Series II, finished in red and carrying chassis no. 7963. It was shipped to the United States and delivered to Ferrari’s key importer Luigi Chinetti, who soon sold it to its first owner, Mr. Desy.
Two years later, in 1967, the car returned to Chinetti’s possession and that’s when its destiny changed. Luigi Chinetti Jr., better known as “Coco”, had an unconventional idea: to transform the 330 GT into a shooting brake.To bring this concept to life, Chinetti Jr. partnered with designer Bob Peak, who sketched the car’s distinctive lines. The chassis was then sent to Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale in Turin for construction.
The result was nothing short of extraordinary, a Ferrari unlike any other, with elegant yet eccentric proportions that divided opinion but captivated attention. Proud of their creation, Vignale presented the car at the 50th Turin Motor Show in 1968, finished in two-tone metallic green with a gold roof.
Thanks to its redesigned body, the car offered seating for four and a spacious luggage compartment. Beyond its rarity, the 330 GT Shooting Brake holds special significance: it was the last Ferrari project completed by Vignale. Following Alfredo Vignale’s death in 1969, the coachbuilder would never again work on a Ferrari.
A Life Across Continents
After its debut, the 330 GT Shooting Brake returned to the United States, remaining with its original commissioners, the Chinetti family. In the 1990s, it crossed the Atlantic once again, entering French ownership before being acquired by Jay Kay, frontman of Jamiroquai, who is known for his impressive collection of cars, including several Ferraris.
Jay Kay enjoyed the car for several years before selling it to Danny Baker, who, in 2017, commissioned a complete respray in a stunning metallic bronze, a hue that accentuated the Vignale’s flowing lines beautifully.
In 2018, the car went under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s, during the Petersen Automotive Museum auction, achieving a sale price of $313,000 USD.
Photos credits: DK Engineering
