GTO is an acronym for the Italian term “Approved Gran Turismo” – these words carried a lot of weight in the Ferrari world in 1984. At the time, the only vehicle bearing the name was the 250 GTO, which was created in 1962 but was still considered one of the best sports racers Ferrari had ever produced, with driving dynamics and a remarkable trajectory. Living up to its name, the next GTO was expected to be as good as the 250.
After its introduction in 1982, the FIA Group B series became quite popular, especially in Europe. The Italian marque initially planned to rebuild the 308 GTB to participate in the famous racing series, but FIA regulations did not allow it. Therefore, Ferrari had to develop an entirely new vehicle, and that is how the 288 GTO came to be.
FIA regulations also call for a production run of at least 200 cars. Ferrari built 272 GTOs and an additional five GTO Evoluzione for pure racing use; only three of these five still exist.
After the car was fully developed and homologated, Group B was canceled and Ferrari was left with a racing-focused vehicle with no place to compete. Still, enthusiasts were eager to experience Ferrari’s latest supercar, even though it missed out on a place on the grid.
Photo: RM Sotheby’s
Its design draws instant attention, although it shares visual similarities with the 308 and 328 models, it has its own unique look. It had a more aggressive stance and its towering form reflected its impressive performance. Its bodywork is composed primarily of composite and Kevlar, while the doors and deck lid were constructed from lightweight aluminum.
The 288 with this Ferrari’s name was derived from its engine: it features a 2.8-liter V8 race with twin IHI turbochargers, which produced an astonishing 394 hp (294 hp). kW or 400 ps) and 366 ft-lbs. (496 Nm) of torque. It allowed the machine to shoot to a top speed of 189 mph (304 km/h), making it the fastest road car produced at the time. But it wasn’t just its top speed that wowed the public, it was also its acceleration: 4.8 seconds is all it took for the car to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) and just 10.2 seconds for 100 mph (161 km/h).
The Ferrari 288 GTO was not only performance oriented but actually came with modern conveniences that added to the comfort of the vehicle. For example, the Kevlar-framed bucket seats were lined with leather. Plus, you can opt for some useful extras like power windows, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio/cassette stereo.
There’s very little chance you’ll see a 288 GTO cruising the roads, and the chance to buy one is even rarer, but you’ll be pleased to know that a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO is coming up for auction soon.
Photo: RM Sotheby’s
This example on offer, chassis 56773, left the factory on May 3, 1985, with a Rosso Corsa finish and black leather cabin upholstery. The vehicle was destined for the United States, the owner at the time opted for air conditioning and power windows but no radio. Rest assured, you can open the windows and the roar of the V8 engine could be the perfect substitute for music.
After changing hands a few times, the fourth owner acquired the vehicle in 2001. A year earlier, the previous owner offered the car for sale on the Ferrari Market Charter, and the odometer reading in at that time it was 4,517 km (2,807 mi). .
Since 2001, the car has received regular service attention, as evidenced by the detailed invoices available at the fire. Continental Auto Sports completed a major service in Hinsdale, IL on July 31, 2020. All fluids were drained and replaced, belt serviced, water pump and spark plugs replaced . Oh, a new set of Pirelli P Zero tires were also fitted. These changes amounted to a total of $18,000 (€17,006).
The 288 GTO returned to the same shop for its most recent service on January 31, 2022. The oil and brake fluids were changed and the oil pressure gauge sensor was replaced. But perhaps the most important update was that chassis 56773 received a Ferrari Classiche certification, meaning it was confirmed to be a matching-numbers example, a classification highly sought after by collectors.
Photo: RM Sotheby’s
When the car was brought to the United States, the speedometer face was converted to miles, but the odometer calibration remained in kilometers. To correct this small detail, a face indicating the kilometer was found and installed.
At the time of listing, the odometer read just 7,989km (4,965km). Given how well the car was preserved and its factory correct condition, the future owner will experience this exquisite machine as Ferrari intended. The auction house’s listing suggests a price of between $4 million and $4.5 million (€3.75 million and €4.2 million), but who’s to say this immaculate road car doesn’t deserve a even higher price?
