RM Sotheby's - 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

By 1984, the words “Gran Turismo Omologata” carried enormous weight in the Ferrari world. Since 1962, the 250 GTO had been considered the finest sports racer that Ferrari had ever produced. With an astonishing racing record—rivalled only by its sensational driving dynamics—the GTO was cemented into sports car lore as nothing short of a legend. For Ferrari to revive such a legendary moniker, any new GTO would be expected to match or surpass the 250’s incredible record in motorsport.

Seeking to contend in the notorious FIA Group B, Ferrari developed and produced the GTO to homologate the model for competition within that series; this called for a production run of 200 cars. Group B was incredibly popular following its introduction in the 1980s, especially in Europe, and Ferrari was eager to jump into the fray—and Maranello was certain that its car would be unmatched in competition. However, Group B was canceled shortly thereafter, leaving the factory with a fully developed and homologated car but no series in which to compete. It was clear that the public was eager to experience Ferrari’s newest no-compromises supercar, and the GTO was certainly not going to disappoint the brand’s fans or customers—even without a spot on the grid.

While it shared visual cues with the 308 and 328, there was no denying that the 288 GTO (as it was later dubbed) was more special than its siblings. Visually it held a more aggressive stance, with composite and Kevlar forming the majority of the bodywork. The doors and deck lid were formed from lightweight aluminum, with an imposing shape that hinted at its prodigious performance. The race-bred 2.8-liter V-8 engine with its twin IHI turbochargers pumped out a monstrous 400 horsepower and 366 pound-feet of torque. The 288 GTO could rocket to a top speed of 189 mph, making it the fastest road car ever produced at the time of its unveiling. Its acceleration was equally impressive, and the car could reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds and 100 mph in 10.2—fast enough to keep everything short of a fighter jet in its rearview mirror.

Performance aside, the GTO’s interior was graced with a host of modern amenities. The Kevlar-framed bucket seats were lined in leather, and buyers could request air conditioning, electric windows, and an AM/FM radio/cassette stereo as optional extras. Other than those few comforts, the GTO offered nothing to distract the driver from the task at hand. The new GTO clearly resonated with Ferrari’s clientele, as 272 examples were built by the time production ceased (which was over 25 per cent more than the amount required for FIA Group B homologation).

The GTO was the first in the lineage of modern Ferrari supercars, and it remains incredibly rare, seldom seen on the road and even less frequently offered for public sale.

RM Sotheby's