Chassis No. ZFFPA16B000054809
Engine No. 124
Transmission No. 115
Body No. 108
It is commonly recounted that the Ferrari 288 GTO was destined for
the high-speed and treacherous rally stages of Group B, hence the
appearance of the evocative letters GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) on
its rear valance. However, Ferrari engineer and the father of the
288 GTO Nicola Materazzi recalls that this original design brief
from Enzo Ferrari was to simply "produce a car that could be used
for racing." Whatever the reason for its conception, a fatal
accident at the 1986 Tour de Course rally and the resulting
termination of FIA Group B would prevent the 288 GTO from
showcasing its international rally abilities. GTO production ended
shortly thereafter, with Ferrari having built 272 examples between
1984-1986, making it the first, and rarest, in a lineage of
instantly collectible Ferrari flagships that include the F40, F50,
Enzo, and LaFerrari.
Borrowing styling queues from the Pininfarina sculpted 308 GTB, the
radical 288 GTO shared little else with contemporary Ferrari road
cars. Its widespread use of Formula One-bred technology and
composite materials truly made for a visceral, out-and-out racer.
The 2855 cc 'Tipo F114 B' V8 was the first longitudinally-mounted
engine fitted in a production Ferrari and was situated as close as
possible to the cabin bulkhead for optimal weight distribution on
an elongated 2450 mm wheelbase chassis. Cooling was handled by a
pair of Behr intercoolers which were fed air by F1-inspired twin
IHI turbochargers for a maximum claimed output of 400-horsepower at
7000 rpm. Such staggering performance was reflected in its wind
tunnel-refined exterior, with a lower stance, enlarged wheel arches
housing wider Speedline wheels and high-performance Goodyear tires,
and more dramatic front and rear spoilers. The use of lightweight
materials including fiberglass, aluminum, Kevlar, and carbon fiber
amounted to a scant 2,557.4-pound curb weight.
The GTO caused a sensation at the 1984 Geneva Salon, selling out
before production even began and counting Formula One drivers
Michele Alboreto, Keke Rosberg, and Niki Lauda amongst an exclusive
list of original owners. In so doing, it established a market for
low-production, extreme-performance Ferraris and every supercar
thereafter - some buyers even selling their contract for a profit
before taking delivery. Nearly four decades after production ended,
the 288 GTO arguably remains the most coveted modern production
Ferrari to date, with many of the 272 examples being closely held
in private collections and rarely trading hands.
This outstanding example of a 288 GTO, chassis number 54809, was
completed by the factory as it appears today in Rosso Corsa over a
Pelle Nera (black leather) interior with rarely-seen Banda Interno
Sedili Stoffa Rossa (red fabric seat inserts). The car was also
desirably specified with optional air conditioning and
power-electric windows - uncommon but welcome luxuries on an
otherwise uncompromising machine. The Ferrari was imported to
Switzerland by dealer S.A.V.A.F. (Societe Anonyme pour la Vente des
Automobiles Ferrari) and sold to its original owner Hainer
Wiesendanger via Graber Automobile Ltd. on 21 March 1985. The car
is understood to have passed through Loris Kessel's Swiss
dealership before landing with UK dealer Louis C. Davidson in
November 1987 with its original 320-kph Veglia Borletti speedometer
showing approximately 4,500 kilometers at the time - a highly rare
piece of original equipment which is retained on the car today. Now
UK-registered LCD1, chassis number 54809 would remain in the UK,
visiting Ferrari specialists DK Engineering for service on two
occasions in 1988, before being sold to Tokyo-based collector
Hideyasu Ohba in June 1994 with an indicated 7,240 kilometers.
After five years, the car passed to well-known Japanese dealer and
collector Miura Shoji joining two other 288 GTOs in his
collection.
The Ferrari did not sell to a private collector again until
November 2006 when it returned to the UK, selling to Richard Moore
via Bicester, England dealer Legends Automotive Ltd. Over the
succeeding decade, the GTO received diligent documented maintenance
at Bob Houghton Ltd. in Northleach, England, within the care of a
known sequence of respected UK-based Ferrari collectors including
Robert B. Wilson in 2010, John Corrie in 2011, and finally Greg
Coffey in 2013 who purchased the car from John Collins' Talacrest
Ltd. in Berkshire, England. On 24 January 2015, the car was
acquired by a well-respected collector and relocated to his
California home. During this period of ownership, the Ferrari
enjoyed repeated visits to GTO Engineering in Los Angeles,
California where it received an annual service in October 2016, an
annual and cam belt service in May 2020, and a third annual service
in September 2021.
Chassis 54809 joined the consignor in May 2022 and is among some of
the best-documented and preserved Ferrari 288 GTOs extant. In
addition to being issued Ferrari Classiche Red Book in 2010
certifying the matching-numbers status of its engine, transmission,
chassis, body panels, and other original components, its history
from new is documented in a comprehensive file of service stamps,
invoices, and communications. Furthermore, in June 2023, chassis
number 54809 benefited from recent servicing at Ferrari of Newport
Beach, California, as well as an exacting inspection and condition
report conducted by marque expert Joe Sackey on file and available
for review. Sackey notes in his report that the GTO exists exactly
as it left the factory including its original windscreen, factory
silicone caulking in the bodywork, visible Scaglietti stamp number
108 on the original body panels, unmodified matching-numbers
mechanicals, and original exhaust with the lead seal wastegate GTO
tag still intact. He also notes that despite receiving an odometer
rollback of approximately 4,500 kilometers in the 1990s - a common
practice among Japanese dealers prior to selling - chassis 54809 is
a low-mileage car with an estimated 9,000 kilometers traveled from
new. Furthermore, 54809's immaculate, as-delivered condition
extends to its original-specification 320-kph Veglia Borletti
speedometer which was not replaced as a result of the rollback,
unlike several 288 GTOs which have had their original equipment
exchanged for a 200-mph unit or 180-mph Ferrari 328 unit.
With its high degree of originality, numbers-matching status,
desirable seat inserts, low mileage, and well-documented history of
renowned collectors and expert maintenance since 1985, chassis
54809 is undoubtedly one of the finest Ferrari 288 GTOs ever to
come to market. Accompanied by its spare, jack, tools, and owner's
manuals in their proper folio, this superb 288 GTO represents an
exciting opportunity to acquire one of the most exclusive and
significant modern berlinettas to come out of Maranello.
Addendum & Administrative Notes
Due to California emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may
only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of
California or to a licensed automotive dealer.
Internet bidding is not available for this lot. Please contact
[email protected] for more information.
