1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

It’s no surprise to me that this GTO brought $594,000. Parts of the Ferrari market are red-hot, and the 288 is a prime target

by Steve Ahlgrim

When the new FIA Group B Race and Rally regulations were introduced in 1984, Ferrari endeavored to create a model that would hark back to the glory days of the 1962–64 250 GT models. The 400-horsepower, twin-turbo 288 GTO of 1985 was the result. It benefited from the intensive race and rally experience the Michelotto Company had gained from their successful and active campaign of the Ferrari 308 models.

To fulfill Group B regulations, 200 examples were required to be built; however, the popularity of the new model necessitated the construction of another 72 cars. Accordingly, the 288 GTO models found new homes as rapidly as they circled any track.

The 288 GTO’s wheelbase was 100 mm more than that of the 308/328 series. The bodywork was made in GRP and carbon-compound material with aluminum doors, boot, and bonnet, and featured flared wheelarches to accommodate the eight-inch wide front wheels and ten-inch wide rear wheels. The rear wheelarches had...