1984 Ferrari 288 GTO Coupe

The Ferrari 250 GTO is considered the finest sports racer that Ferrari ever produced. It had an incredible racing record that was only rivaled by its driving dynamics. When Ferrari decided to revive the moniker, the new GTO was expected to match or surpass the 250's legacy and history in motorsport.

Ferrari produced and designed the GTO to compete in FIA Group B and to homologate it for competition within that series. Homologation requirements stated that a minimum of 200 examples be produced. The 2.8-liter V-8 engine was fitted with twin IHI turbochargers and offered 400 horsepower and 366 foot-pounds of torque. Top speed was achieved at 189 mph, making it the fastest road car ever produced at the time of its introduction.

Along with impressive performance, the 288 GTO offered Kevlar-framed bucket seats lined in leather. Options included air conditioning, electric windows, and AM/FM radio/cassette stereo.

In total, Ferrari built 272 examples of the 288 GTO.

This particular example was the 137th Ferrari 288 GTO built. It left the factory with air conditioning, power windows, red seat inserts, and the optional Ansa sport exhaust. On April 10th of 1985, it was imported into Japan, becoming the first example sent to that country. Its first owner was Yoshiho Matsuda, who registered it for road use and used it regularly on local streets in Japan until its importation to the U.S. in 2015. A year later it was acquired by the previous owner. Shortly thereafter it was acquired by its current owner.

Since it left Japan, the car has been driven approximately 3,000 km.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018

Within the car world there are few names as influential and weighty as Yoshiho Matsuda. Within his native Japan there are virtually no automobile museums, except for Toyota. But then there is Matsuda. Given Mr. Matsuda's prowess and eye for iconic and influential automobiles, even Ferrari faced scrutiny. Only the very best from Maranello would do. The successor of an iconic moniker would fit the bill.

Ferrari doesn't just do good enough. With each and every model designed and built within the factory the effort is to redefine, to stretch the boundaries, to rewrite what was possible. They had done this time and again. They had tripped up here and there, but still, Ferrari had built some truly great automobiles. However, perhaps no model faced the scrutiny of the follow-up to the famed 250 GTO.

To be able to carry on the legacy, Ferrari had to break new bounds and the 288 would do just that. The result would be remarkable. Utilizing carbon compounds, lightweight aluminum and a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine the 288 GTO would be, at the time of its debut, the fastest road car in the world.

Of course, the car was not intended for the street but the track. Sadly, the 288 would never really have the opportunity to carry on the family legacy. Intended for Group B racing, the car would end up without a purpose when the FIA banned the series. But Ferrari wasn't about to let the car die, nor would the public.

The 288 GTO would be highly anticipated by the public. The iconic GTO was so deeply revered that the 288 just had to make an appearance. And, with a zero to 60 time of just 4.8 seconds, the appearance would often be very quick.

In total, just 272 examples of the 288 GTO would ever be built. Among those, there would be just a couple that would ever make their way to Japan. This particular car, 055237, would be the first to arrive in the island nation.

Matsuda had found a car that met his particular taste for automobile excellence. Fitted with air conditioning, power windows and an optional Ansa sport exhaust, this particular 288 GTO would be one of the definitive examples. It would arrive in Japan in April of 1985 and would be delivered to Matsuda shortly thereafter.

For some 25 years this 288 would remain a part of Matsuda's extensive, and impressive, collection. However, an even greater statement about the car would be the amount of use it would get by its owner. Quite often Mr. Matsuda could be seen around the streets in the bright red Ferrari. It was more than obvious he was both proud and pleased with the successor of the GTO moniker.

Around 2010 the car would immigrate to the United States. The car would arrive replete with original information, registration documents, service receipts and even its original tool set and spare keys. Having less than 12,000 kilometers at the time of its arrival in the States the car was practically brand new, ready for its next owner to enjoy.

Always considered one of the greatest Ferraris of all-time, the 288 GTO would more than hold up its responsibility within the GTO, and this would be impressive considering its original purpose and reason for being had never really had an opportunity to come to fruition. This would be perhaps the greatest testament to the efforts of those at Ferrari—that even despite the fact the car had to find a new lease on life it was so powerful, so incredible that, for a period of time it was practically untouchable.

Matsuda's 1984 288 GTO would be offered for sale as part of the 2015 RM Auctions' Scottsdale event. Given its few miles, provenance and sheer desirability the car would draw pre-auction estimates of between $1,900,000 and $2,400,000.

By Jeremy McMullen