A Golden Twist on a Classic: Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo

Golden Anomaly - In the ever-evolving world of automotive design, the desire to stand out has always driven innovation. While many car enthusiasts seek performance, some chase personality — something that breaks from convention and dares to be different. The 1960s, a decade brimming with experimentation in style, speed, and statement-making, gave birth to numerous one-offs and custom creations. Among them, few were as bold — or as bizarre — as the Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo was commissioned by Norbert Navarro, an Italian nightclub owner who envisioned a more dramatic look for his 1966 330GT 2+2. (Picture from: Hemmings)

At its heart, the Ferrari 330GT 2+2 was a grand tourer designed for long, comfortable drives without sacrificing the essence of Ferrari’s spirited engineering. It wasn't the rarest prancing horse, nor the most powerful, but it carried an understated charm. Its Pininfarina lines were elegant and well-proportioned, and it offered space for four — a practicality not often associated with the Ferrari badge. Still, for some, even elegance wasn’t enough.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo showcases an intriguing mix of design elements, including an angular front headlight and grille section that may have drawn inspiration from Marcello Gandini’s Lamborghini Marzal. (Picture from: CollectingCars)

Enter Norbert Navarro, an Italian nightclub owner who envisioned something more dramatic for his 1966 330GT 2+2. Dissatisfied with the conventional look, he turned to Piero Drogo, the head of Carrozzeria Sports Cars, known for building some of the era’s most daring coachbuilt Ferraris. Navarro wasn’t interested in creating a replica of a racing legend. He wanted a reimagination — a visual reinvention that pushed the Ferrari identity into uncharted territory.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo featured an extended, downward-sloping front end that gave it a low, aggressive stance, complemented by a shimmering gold finish that earned it the nickname “Golden Car.” (Picture from: CollectingCars)

What emerged was unlike anything else on the road. The front end was extended and sloped downward, creating a low, aggressive stance. The grille and headlights took on an angular appearance, echoing cues from futuristic concept cars of the era. Around the back, things got even more unusual. Narrow fins rose from the rear fenders and stretched all the way to the roofline — a peculiar but oddly cohesive design element that became the car’s signature. Air ducts were integrated seamlessly into the bodywork, adding both function and flair.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo features a distinctive interior layout with four individual bucket seats upholstered in sleek black leather, complemented by a classic three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel and a richly finished wooden dashboard that adds a touch of vintage elegance to the cabin. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Gone was the original Grigio Fumo paint. In its place, a shimmering gold finish was applied, earning the car the nickname “Golden Car.” Badging on the vehicle proudly wore the name, as if to underline the car’s departure from anything ordinary. It was eccentric, extravagant, and entirely one-of-a-kind — exactly what Navarro had in mind.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo retained its original 4.0-liter V12 and drivetrain, but its soul was undeniably transformed. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Though the mechanical heart of the Ferrari remained untouched, keeping the original 4.0-liter V12 and drivetrain, its soul had undeniably transformed. This wasn’t just a Ferrari anymore — it was a personal statement molded in metal. But like many custom creations, its moment in the spotlight was brief. After a few years, Navarro parted ways with his golden masterpiece, and the car made its way into the hands of Luigi Chinetti, the famed Ferrari importer and racing legend, who brought it to the United States.

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo proudly displayed its custom badging, emphasizing its departure from the ordinary with an eccentric, extravagant, and truly one-of-a-kind design—just as Navarro had envisioned. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

The Navarro Ferrari remained in the U.S., changing hands and colors — at one point painted red to boost its market appeal. Thankfully, between 2008 and 2013, it underwent a careful restoration by Goodman Racing in Seattle, returning it to its original golden hue and restoring the visual eccentricities that made it special in the first place. 

The Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ by Drogo featured narrow fins that rose from the rear fenders and extended to the roofline, creating a peculiar yet surprisingly cohesive signature design element. (Picture from: John Wiley in Flickr)

Though it has appeared on the market again — once listed with a $400,000 to $600,000 guide price — it remains unsold, waiting perhaps for a collector who appreciates not just the name Ferrari, but the stories that come with its more obscure chapters. The 1966 Ferrari 330GT 2+2 ‘Navarro’ is not just a car; it's an artifact of bold ambition, an automotive outlier shaped by vision and individuality. Since there are no available videos of the specific car we're discussing, here's a video of the 1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 as a reference instead.  | 2vKTq2u886g |

For those who believe that cars can be more than machines — that they can be canvases of creativity and time capsules of an era’s spirit — the Navarro Speciale remains a shining, gold-painted example of just how far imagination can drive design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COLLECTINGCARS | STORY-CARS | ADRIANFLUX | HEMMINGS ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.