The One and Only Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake by Vignale

Design Rebellion - There’s something undeniably romantic about the idea of a car that blends the elegance of a grand tourer with the practicality of a wagon. It’s a rare breed—especially when that car wears a Ferrari badge. While shooting brakes have never been mainstream, they carry a kind of mystique that makes them unforgettable to those lucky enough to spot one. Among these rarities, few are as intriguing or as singular in their story as the Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake by Vignale.

The one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 'Shooting Brake' was a bold reimagination by Carrozzeria Vignale, transforming the classic Ferrari silhouette into a dramatic, futuristic estate car, and appeared in bronze metallic paint when it was auctioned in 2018. (Picture from: RMSothebys)

This car didn’t just appear by chance. It began life as a 1965 Ferrari 330 GT Series II, designed by Tom Tjaarda at Pininfarina. Originally finished in Rosso red over a beige interior and fitted with U.S.-spec miles-per-hour instrumentation, it was delivered to Luigi Chinetti Motors in Connecticut—home to one of Ferrari’s most important North American ambassadors. But what started as a classic example of Ferrari’s road-going elegance soon veered into the unexpected.

The one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 'Shooting Brake' by Carrozzeria Vignale was seen finished in metallic green with a gold roof, as listed back in 2008. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

By 1967, the car had returned to Chinetti Motors. That’s when Luigi Chinetti Jr., the son of Ferrari’s U.S. importer and a passionate creative in his own right, envisioned something radically different. Together with American illustrator Bob Peak—famous for his iconic movie posters—Chinetti Jr. imagined a Ferrari like no other: a sleek, sculptural shooting brake that retained only the windshield and partial door structure from the original car.

The one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 'Shooting Brake' by Carrozzeria Vignale was a one-off creation commissioned by Luigi Chinetti Jr. and developed with American illustrator Bob Peak, who imagined a sleek, sculptural Ferrari that retained only the windshield and partial door structure from the original car. (Picture from: JoeMacari)

The coachwork itself was entrusted to Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale in Turin, a company renowned for its flair and craftsmanship. This wasn’t just another restyle. It was a bold reimagination—transforming the classic Ferrari silhouette into a dramatic, futuristic estate car. It was painted in metallic green with a gold roof (as listed back in 2008), the new design included seating for four and a large rear cargo area, effectively marrying Ferrari performance with luxurious practicality. When it debuted at the 1968 Turin Motor Show, it turned heads—not just for its shape, but for its daring departure from Ferrari norms.

The one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 'Shooting Brake' by Carrozzeria Vignale featuring a new design included seating for four and a large rear cargo area, effectively marrying Ferrari performance with luxurious practicality. (Picture from: JoeMacari)

What made this car even more remarkable was its exclusivity. It was the final Ferrari to ever wear Vignale’s badge before the coachbuilder’s operations came to a close. That gave it a kind of poetic closure—an artistic curtain call for a name that had long been associated with some of the most beautiful Italian automotive design.

The one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 'Shooting Brake' by Carrozzeria Vignale features four individual bucket seats trimmed in tan leather, with a three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel, a wood dash, Veglia gauges, and a Blaupunkt radio that reflect the luxury of a bygone era. (Picture from: JoeMacari)

After its time in the spotlight, the 330 GT Shooting Brake remained in private hands for decades. It passed through a handful of dedicated owners, including Jean-Claude Paturau of Paris, who restored the car and proudly displayed it at some of Europe’s most prestigious concours events. Later, it found its way into the garage of Jay Kay—lead singer of Jamiroquai and a well-known Ferrari enthusiast—who continued to showcase the car at festivals and classic car gatherings across the UK.

The one-off 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 'Shooting Brake' by Carrozzeria Vignale powered by a single-cam V-12 displacing 3,967cc, power reached the rigid rear axle via a five-speed manual transmission. (Picture from: JoeMacari)

Today, the one-off Ferrari continues to impress, now finished in a bronze metallic paint that highlights its sculpted lines (as listed back in 2018). Under the hood, it retains a 4.0-liter V12 with triple Weber carburetors, delivering 300 horsepower through a five-speed manual gearbox. Inside, four individual bucket seats are trimmed in tan leather, while the wood dash, Veglia gauges, and Blaupunkt radio echo the luxury of a bygone era. Even the smallest details—from the knock-off wheels to the wood-rimmed steering wheel—reflect the craftsmanship that defines a car of this caliber. | 3QpgiXmMOfk |

This is not just a car. It’s a living piece of Ferrari history. A unique blend of American imagination, Italian artistry, and fearless experimentation. It may not have been what purists expected, but that’s precisely what makes it unforgettable. When creativity meets courage, legends are born—and in the case of the Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake by Vignale, that legend is parked on four wheels. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARS.BONHAM | RMSOTHEBYS | JOEMACARI | MYCARQUEST ]

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