Ferrari 330 GT Pininfarina

The Ferrari 330 GT #6537 is an exemplary late-production Series I 330 GT 2+2, distinguished by its rarity as one of approximately 505 cars constructed with four headlamps and a 4-speed gearbox featuring overdrive. This vehicle, numbered 6537 GT, was originally dispatched to the USA and sold by Luigi Chinetti Motors in Connecticut, sporting a sophisticated Dark Blue exterior paired with Tan upholstery. Its inaugural owner was John W. Mecom Jr., a prominent Houston oil tycoon and the founding owner of the New Orleans Saints NFL franchise. Renowned in motorsports circles, Mr. Mecom was a dedicated enthusiast and team owner. His Mecom Racing Team made significant marks in World Sportscar Racing, Formula One, and American Championship Car racing between 1967. The team achieved notable success at the Bahamas Speed Weeks and was known for fielding some of the era’s most iconic racing machines, including Ferrari 250 GTOs, Grand Sport Corvettes, and the innovative Lola GT, which would later be developed by Ford into the legendary Le Mans-winning GT40. After acquiring 6537 GT, Mecom sent the car to Italy for a distinctive front-end redesign. This modification featured covered single headlamps and an angular frontal treatment with large split radiator-grille openings. A unique design element was the clear headlamp covers, which were meticulously crafted to align with the upper crease matching the precise contour of the car’s front fenders. Mecom’s appreciation for bespoke Ferrari 330 GT 2+2s is further underscored by his later ownership of 7979 GT during the 1980s. This particular model, known as the Carrozzeria Sports Cars (Drogo)-modified “Golden Car,” was recently restored to its period form and fetched a significant price at auction in mid-2014. The Ferrari 330 GT #6537, with its unique history and connections to a figure like John W. Mecom Jr., stands as a testament to the era’s automotive innovation and the personal tastes of one of its most enthusiastic patrons. Its journey from a classic Series I model to a uniquely customized masterpiece reflects the passion and dedication that have long been synonymous with Ferrari’s storied legacy.