Lot 224: 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO

When Ferrari announced in 1983 that it was to build a modern day GTO it sent the hearts of red-blooded Ferraristi into dangerous flutters, while others blindly reached for their cheque books without a second thought. The name GTO, after all, recalls what many regard as the ultimate Ferrari and the promise was that the new 288GTO would be no different. Maranello had already been quoted as saying that it would be the fastest and quickest accelerating Ferrari ever built, one insider later describing the homologation special as an act of faith to the racing world neither Ferrari nor its customers were to be disappointed. It was the 308GTB that Ferrari chose as the base for the GTO, a car, like Porsche's contemporary 959, designed for international Group B racing and for which a minimum of 200 examples had to be built, indeed the metamorphosis from 308GTB to 288GTO was tobe no different than that from 250GT SWB to 250GTO two decades earlier. But although visually fairly similar to the 308, the left-hand drive only 288 was to differ radically under the skin. Not only was there an immensely strong steel tubular chassis, against the 308's semi-monocoque structure, but also the engine was moved from a transverse to an in-line layout, necessitating a 4.5 increase in wheelbase. The engine was basically the 32 valve 308/Mondial V8 but strengthened in many areas withimproved lubrication and cooling. It also had twin IHI turbochargers and twin intercoolers, separate Weber/Marelli ignition and fuel injection systems for each cylinder bank and a 1mm smaller bore to give 2,855cc important given the FIA's 1.4 turbocharger equivalency factor which multiplies capacity to 3,997cc, within Group B's 4.0 litre limit. Potent the V8 certainly was, producing a highly impressive 400bhp at 7,000rpm and a huge 366lb.ft at 3,800rpm; allied to a five-speed, magnesium cased gearbox, itprovided staggering performance: 189mph, 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and 0-125mph in a stunning 15.2 seconds! Notably, much of the GTO's design came from the Ferrari F1 designer Harvey Postlethwaite and it came as no surprise to find extensive use of Kevlar, carbon fibre and other high tech composites for the stress-bearing areas of the GTO's beautiful, Pininfarina styled, glass fibre (but steel doored) body. The latter, against the 308, was widened behind the rear side windows into engine air scoops while the rear used an elegant, integrated spoiler; a particularly nice touch was the three brake cooling slots in the rear wings, imitating one of the 250GTO's famous trademarks. Wings front and rear were also radically flared to accommodate an almost 4.0% increase in front and rear track and huge 225/55 front, 265/50 rear tyres on 10"x 16" composite alloy racing rims. Behind them were large Ferrari/Brembo ventilated disc brakes, while wishbone/coil spring suspension and an anti-roll bar were fitted front and rear. All of which made the 288GTO one of the most desirable Ferraris ever built, not merely a purposeful and effective machine, but one that was also a statement of Ferrari's classic love and commitment to racing. Just 278 examples of the GTO were built (including track versions) compared to over 1,300 of the later F40. Milan Ferrari agents Crepaldi sold this GTO in 1984 to it's first owner. It quickly passed through his hands to it's second owner who kept the car until 1990. During his ownership it covered 11,000 kilometres and was serviced by Crepaldi (copies of invoices for this work accompany the car) and attest to the correct documented mileage. In 1990 it was purchased by a prominent industrialist and Ferrari collector from Milan to compliment an already impressive collection of Ferrari's. In his tenure the car covered only 7,000 kilometres bringing the total recorded mileage to only 18,000 in 22 years. Due to illness his collection has recently been dispersed and this car was purchased by its current owner. In April of this year the car received an 8,000 Euro service. The engine and gearbox were removed from the car for inspection and the all important belts replaced as well as all fluids, filters, oil and tyres. At this time a detailed inspection was made of the underside of the car and was found to be in impeccable condition. In the words of the owner (who has owned a number of these cars) the car is in 'remarkably original and accident free condition' and has not suffered from the usual stone chipping and damage to either the underside or the body. With only 272 examples of the 288 GTO made, this model is the rarest road-going Ferrari of the past 35 years and certainly one of the most desirable. GTO's rarely become available on the open market and 53293 is considered one of the best if not the best examples currently for sale. Cars of this quality are never inexpensive but for a Ferrari collector who insists on the best this is the car for you.Une de seulement 272 GTO produit a Maranello, cette modele est le plus rare Ferrari de production des dernieres 35 annees. Avec 18,000 Km sur sa compte, chassis 53293 a recemment beneficie d'un service comprehensive, coutant environs de 8,000 Euro. Pour l'amateur des Ferrari les plus bonnes.