1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

When the FIA Group B Race and Rally regulations were introduced in 1984, Ferrari wanted to evoke 1962-1964 250 GT models. The 400 horsepower, twin-turbo 288 GTO of 1985 was the result. It benefitted from experience that Michelotto gained from racing the Ferrari 308, but the 288 was a far superior car.

The Ferrari 288 GTO is sometimes considered a 308 on steroids, but its silhouette is the only thing remotely similar. The chassis, body, suspension, gearbox, and brakes are unique. Since the 288 was designed for competition, its assemblies are lighter and stronger than Ferrari’s street cars. The Ferrari 288 GTO’s wheelbase is 112mm longer than the 308/328 series, the bodywork is GRP and carbon-compound material, and it has aluminum doors, boot and bonnet. Flared wheel arches cover eight-inch wide front and 10-inch wide rear wheels, behind which are three as a tribute to the original Ferrari 250 GTO. Up front, four driving lights are set in the grille over a deep spoiler.

The interior is sparse but fully trimmed, with air conditioning and power windows the only options. The 400 bhp V-8 engine, Tipo F114B, was mounted longitudinally instead of transversely and featured four valves per cylinder, twin IHI turbochargers, twin Behr intercoolers and Weber-Marelli electronic injection and ignition. Every one of the 272 cars is left-hand drive and finished in Rosso Corsa with black interior.

Compared with other contemporary Ferrari models, the 288 GTO was far superior in both engineering and design. The 308 GTBi and 308 GTSi models were considered underpowered, the 4-seat Mondial 8 was unloved, the Berlinetta Boxer was almost 10 years old and the 400 series had barely evolved from its 1972 origins. In contrast, the Ferrari 288 GTO’s FIA Group B origins made it stand out and it generated huge amounts of press (and customer) interest.

Road & Track found it took just 5.0 seconds to get to 60 mph; the quarter mile came up in 14.1 seconds at 113 mph and top speed was 190 mph. When the Group B programme was suddenly scrapped after the death of a number of spectators, the 288 GTO’s exclusivity was enhanced further.

Fast, beautiful, historically significant, and the smallest production of any contemporary street Ferrari, the only important criteria missing from the 288’s pedigree is a narrowly missed competition history. The 288 GTO is the price leader in eight-cylinder Ferrari street cars and prices reflect its desirability.

Period alternatives include the Ferrari Testarossa, the Lamborghini Countach LP500S and the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2.