1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

The Ferrari 288 GTO, or Gran Turismo Omologato, was a road-going version of the most advanced sports car ever. It was a race car for the streets. The design was by Pininfarina's Leonardo Fiorvanti, who had also been responsible for the 365 GTB/4 'Daytona.' Using the 308 GTB as a base, Fioravanti and Ferrari's aerodynamics engineers treated the car to a high-performance makeover that revived a few cues from the 250 GTO. It was given a built-in rear spoiler and three rear fender slats which severed as aerodynamic and performance advancements. The 208 GTO was longer and wider than the 308 GTB. It was given big bulging fenders, a wide tail, and four large driving lights. All of the 288 GTOs produced were clothed in Ferrari's classic Rosso Corsa scheme and all were left-hand-drive. The only example not painted in red was the prototype, which was yellow.

The powerplant for the 288 GTO was a 2.8-liter V8 (called the Tipo F114B) mounted longitudinally, forward of the rear axle. It had a mid-engine layout, mounted low in the chassis, giving it excellent weight distributions and stable handling.

The engine was aided by a pair of IHI turbochargers with Behrair intercoolers, an oil cooler, and dry-sump lubrication. The Weber/Marelli fuel injection system was based on a Formula One design. The 2,855cc DOHC twin-turbocharged V8 engine offered 394 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and was paired with a five-speed manual transaxle.

A first for Ferrari, the body sat over a tubular aluminum chassis. It weighed 250 lbs less than the 308 GTB, despite being bigger in every dimension. The wheelbase measured 96.5 inches, stood 44.1 inches tall, had a width of 75.2 inches, and was 168.9 inches in length. The independent suspension height could be set higher accommodating road use and lower for sporting applications. The bodywork was mostly comprised of molded fiberglass, with Kevlar for the hood, Kevlar and carbon fiber for the roof, and steel for the doors. The large Goodyear tires were wrapped around the racing wheels.

Inside, there were few luxury amenities. The upholstered leather seats were standard, while air conditioning, a radio, and power windows rounded the list of available options.

The 288 GTO had been designed to compete in the FIA's Class B series. Sadly, it never got the chance to compete in the series, as it was abruptly canceled due to track safety issues. Homologation standards required only 200 vehicles to be produced beyond the factory racers, but demand was strong and Ferrari agreed to produce an additional 72, making a total of 272.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019