1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Coupe

One of just 272 examples to bear the famed and iconic GTO name, 54243 would be completed in 1985 as just the 95th 288 supercar. Finished in Rosso Corsa, the interior would feature Pella Nera/Stoffa Corsa. And, while completed with the optional air-conditioning, the one standard element of the car would be the beautiful, melodious note generated by the 2.9-liter DOHC twin-turbocharged V8. The result then would be a whole new breed of car from Maranello—the supercar.

Following completion in 1985, 54243 would be destined for the western part of Europe, particularly France. Imported through the racer and car dealer Charles Pozzi, the car would end up being resold to Daverat Automobiles of Bayonne.

Daverat had a buyer lined up and the car would be quickly picked up by its first owner Thierry Deserces. Deserces would hail from a fitting location. Pau is widely regarded as the home of the 'grand prix', and therefore, all that would drive Enzo Ferrari. The 288 GTO was bred for racing first and foremost, and thus, would seemingly be heading home when taking by Deserces.

Owning such a car as the 288 GTO, Deserces couldn't resist taking the car to the track at least once. Beyond this, the Pau resident would thoroughly enjoy the Ferrari throughout his period of ownership, which would span at least a handful of years.

Following an appearance in the Club Ferrari France meeting in 1987 the car would be sold and would make its way to the United States. Imported July of 1989, it wouldn't be until November the car would be released as having met US highway safety specifications. Having been released, the car would make its way to its first owner in the United States.

After spending a spell in Japan, the Ferrari would return to the United States in the mid-1990s where it would be purchased by Wesley Hatakeyama of Atascadero, California. In 1999, Hatakeyama would display the car at the Concorso Italiano held at Quail Lodge. Though less than twenty years old, already the 288 GTO would be recognized for what it was. The result would be a 'Platinum Award'.

Given its breed and accolades, many would pursue 54243. Robert Owen would be one of those. Enlisting the expertise of Brandon Lawrence, Owen, of Austin, would purchase the car and would take delivery of the automobile in September of 2000.

Almost four years to the day after Owen purchased the Ferrari, a Toronto-based collector would buy the car. The car would remain in Canada for nearly a decade before the car's present owner came to own it.


Over the course of the last two years the car has undergone some major maintenance and service having the engine worked by Ken and Darin McCay's Boston Sportscar. Brakes would be another area treated to overhaul. This would be performed by a Ferrari dealer in Pennsylvania.

Around the same time, steps were taken to have the car certified. Inspections would be conducted and 54243 would receive its Ferrari Classiche Certification in April of this year. Certified, and with well less than 8,000 kilometers, this would have to be considered one of the very best of the 272 GTOs.

Few miles and with a well-documented existence, it would be little wonder the originality of the car would be high. This, and the fact that it bears the iconic GTO badge of honor, would be the reason the car would be of such interest when named as part of the 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge auction. The result would be a sale price of a remarkable $2,365,000.

By Jeremy McMullen