To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 17 - 18
January 2019.
Estimate:
$3,200,000 - $3,600,000
- Less than 2,900 miles from new
- Recent full service, including timing belts
- Equipped with both air conditioning and power windows
The first Ferrari to carry the GTO name since the vaunted 250 GTO,
it was clear that Ferrari had high hopes and was proud of its
newest sports racer, the 288 GTO. Looking to compete in the FIA's
now-legendary Group B, Ferrari produced and designed the 288 GTO in
order to homologate it for competition within that series, which
called for a production run of 200 cars.
Group B took the world by storm following its introduction in the
early '80s, especially in Europe. With a number of manufacturers
competing on a world stage with automobiles engineered to a radical
degree with few rules and regulations to keep them in check, Group
B rallying was just as thrilling as it was dangerous. Ferrari was
eager to jump into the fray and certain that they could compete
with the likes of the Group B establishment, including Audi,
Peugeot, and Lancia. However, this was not to be. With Group B
cancelled in 1987, Ferrari had fully developed and homologated the
288 GTO, yet it never got its chance to race. Rather than leaving
the 288 GTO on the shelf, Ferrari was not dissuaded from selling
the car to its most loyal customers.
Built on a sturdy tubular steel chassis, it boasted a wheelbase
longer than the production 308 GTB, and it rode on four-wheel
independent suspension. The new Tipo F114B mid-mounted V-8 was
installed longitudinally rather than transversely, and it produced
400 hp through four valves per cylinder, Weber-Marelli electronic
fuel injection, twin IHI turbochargers, and dual Behr
intercoolers.
The doors, trunk, and engine-lid were shod in lightweight aluminum,
while GRP and carbon compound formed the balance of the bodywork -
a taste of the carbon fiber to come. Visually, the car resembled
the 308 GTB, but it was much more aggressive in nature, sporting
large flared wheel arches to accommodate bigger wheels, 8-in. wide
at the front and 10-in. wide at the rear. Larger spoilers were also
fitted fore and aft, the result of extensive wind-tunnel testing.
The rear wings had three cooling slots behind the wheel, a fitting
tribute to the 250 GTO.
Despite boasting a 189 mph top speed, the 288 GTO was suitably
outfitted for road use. Boasting leather-trimmed seats as well as
air conditioning and electric windows available as optional extras,
driver and passenger comfort would not be an issue. Clearly a big
hit with Ferrari's clientele, 272 examples were built, which was
over 25 percent more than the required homologation amount. When
taking the supercars that came after, the F40, F50, Enzo, and
LaFerrari, into account, the 288 GTO is the rarest of the vaunted
quintet.
Produced for the 1985 model year, this 288 GTO boasts the desirable
options of red seat inserts, air conditioning, as well as power
windows. It was sold new it its first owner, Renee Ceryl West, in
June of 1985 according to a report compiled by Ferrari historian
Marcel Massini. Later that summer, the car returned to its original
selling dealer, Newport Imports, with only 579 miles. The car's
next registered owner was Palm Springs-based collector Bob Pond,
who purchased the 288 GTO in August of 1994. That same month, the
car was shown at the Ferrari Club of America National Meeting and
Concours in Monterey.
It is believed that the 288 GTO remained in the Pond collection for
a number of years and was sold in 2007 to Alex Bize, a businessman
residing in New York. Bize showed the car at the Cavallino Classic
in Palm Beach, Florida, in January of 2008. The car was later sold
to a Texas-based collector in November of 2010 and remained with
him until recently. Importantly, the car has just received a full
service, which included the timing belts. A compression test done
at the time confirms that the engine is in excellent working
order.
Having travelled less than 2,900 miles from new, it goes without
saying that this 288 GTO presents in excellent condition, clearly
having been well cared for throughout its life by the lucky owners.
Thanks to a recent service, this 288 GTO is ready to drive and
enjoy should its next owner so desire - or would be a prime
candidate for inclusion into a collection of Ferraris, as a
pristine and low-mileage example of the first of the marque's
sensational line of supercars.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.
