1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

Lot details
Registration No: B575HFL
Chassis No: ZFFPA16B000055683
Mot Expiry: None

Only rarely does Ferrari tag GTO for Gran Turismo Omologato onto the back of one of their model numbers. Indeed, the GTO designation has only been awarded by the most famous of all Italian car makers twice, each time the GTO being a formidable Grand Tourer that has been equally at ease on road or track. First, there was the 250GTO, which has become an automotive icon, a lightweight, front-engined coupe concocted by Giotto Bizzarrini as a roadgoing comp car in the early 1960s and revered ever since. And then there was the 288GTO, which was introduced in 1984 so that Ferrari and the model could go Group B racing, although most of the 200 batch of 288s required for homologation purposes were in road-going trim.
Each Pininfarina styled 288GTO was constructed from lightweight materials, including Kevlar for the body panels, and had serious competition brakes. This GTO did bear a family resemblance to the 308GTB, though with longer wheelbase and the 3-litre V8 Quattrovalvole motor, fitted longitudinally, was boosted with two IHI turbochargers. It was also mounted forward in the frame, the front four cylinders being located beneath the rear screen, so that optimum balance was achieved and the punters could enjoy really outstanding roadholding.
In standard ex-factory spec, the 288GTO produced a mighty 400 bhp with impressive 366 lb/ft torque at 3800 rpm. Road tests recorded a top speed of 190 mph and 0-62 mph was on in under five seconds - and yet reported that the supercar was perfectly tractable on the road. Really cool customers could order their car with air conditioning, the car being auctioned being retro-fitted with factory equipment in 2001.
Maranello Concessionaires sold ZDDPA 16B000055683 in July 1985, its first owner, an Australian, keeping the car in England and Switzerland until acquired by the second owner in March 2000 by when it had been driven only just over 10,000 kilometers. Whilst in Switzerland, it was fastidiously maintained by the official Swiss marque specialist Garage Foitek. Back in the UK, Moto-Technique of Surrey, who had previously fitted the air con kit and carried out body refurbishment, looked after it again.
The vendor, who acquired the car last Christmas at the Ferrari sale in Gstaad, tells us that the body, paintwork Rosso Corsa (of course!), black leather seats, engine, transmission and chassis are in excellent order. The history file includes much documentation, many bills for work done, the original warranty and owner's service book, a UK V5 and MOT. When entered for the sale, the car had done only 17,000 kilometers from new.
With only 200 288GTOs hand-built by the factory, this most exciting model was always going to be a very rare breed indeed...an opportunity to bid for one in a UK auction rarely comes up. A fine example of one of the most exclusive of all roadgoing Ferraris could be yours...go on spoil yourself!