1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

All-Original 288 GTO

Highlights:
• 3-Owner car from new
• Long-term ownership. The first family owned the car until 2014
• Extensive service history
• Complete with Original Books & Tools
• Ferrari Red Book Classiche
• Recent services performed
• Factory Air Conditioning
• Factory Power Windows
• 1 of 272 cars produced
• Cavallino Platinum 2023
• Cavallino Greatest-8 Cylinder Award 2023

The 288 was born out of a vision to go FIA “Group B” racing. The 308 GTB was the basis for the 288. With Ferrari being under the Fiat umbrella during this time, Enzo was disappointed with the products that were coming out of Ferrari. Unfortunately the “Group B,” class was canceled in 1987 before the car was completed, but Enzo pressed on anyway. He enlisted the help of some of the engineers from Lanica to help turn the 308 GTB into a Group B racer with no limits. In order to have cars, “homologated,” to go racing, the manufacturer had to produce a certain amount of cars. They produced 272 288 GTO's in total which is the fewest amount of all of the super cars. If it wasn't for the 288 GTO, there wouldn't be an F40 and there wouldn't be an F50. The 288 GTO was priced at $85,000 new. The 2 8 8 GTO is one of the most collectible modern super cars and it bears the, “GTO,” badge.

The 288 GTO was born, “GTO” standing for “Grand Turismo Omologato,” which equates to, “Homoligation.” This was the second time in Ferrari's history that the, “GTO” moniker was used. The first being the 250 GTO back in 1962.

The 2 8 8 was designed to push the engineering envelope. While doing that Enzo had a vision to make the car as light as possible. The 288 was the first Ferrari to incorporate the use of Carbon Kevlar composite body panels. This material was used on the hood and roof. The doors were aluminum and fiberglass was used on the front fascia and rear fascia. They managed to get the weight down to 1,160kg (2,555lbs), about 550lbs lighter than the 308 GTB.

The 288 was shortened up, while the wheelbase was lengthened by 8”. The GTO had functional aero on the car with brake cooling scoops in the front and rear, vents to feed the IHI Turbo's and a dovetail spoiler for downforce which is also reminiscent to the 250 GTO rear as well as the 3 vertical vents on the rear quarter panel.

The engine was a de-bored version of the 308 Tipo F160-V8, it was debored to 2,855cc's (2.9ltr) and renamed the F114B. The engine had dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, mated with lightweight connecting rods, nickisel coated liners and heads (to reduce friction). Ferrari looked to Japanese turbo manufacturer IHI to engineer the Turbos for this car as they did most of the rally cars. All of this equated to 400hp, 0-60mph in 5 seconds, 0-125mph in 15 seconds and a top speed of 190mph; effectively making this the fastest road going car.

The engineers had to turn the engine from being, “horizontally,” mounted to, “longitudinally,” mounted in order to make additional room for the Turbo's.

The suspension was planted at each corner with, “Koni” coil overs. While the brakes were Brembo disc brakes.

This Classiched 288 is now a three-owner example with receipts back to day one. Complete with it's stamped service book, receipts and both tool kits and both sets of original keys.

This car was delivered new through Sa.Mo.Car Spa Rome (Italy) to Dr. Cristiano Berloco of Modena on the 11th of July 1985. The car was finished in Rosso Corsa over a Pelle Nera interior with the desirable optional power windows and air-conditioning.

Dr. Cristiano Berloco was a very senior doctor practicing in Rome and a heir to the large Nomentana Hospital and Clinic. He used the car occasionally while his son would use it more frequently. Although the registration changed twice in Italy, first to the company Somafin S.p.A. and later to Mara Martinelli, the ownership remained in the original owners family. Young Berloco used the car quite a bit in the first three years of ownership, driving a total of 30,000 km. The car would remain in the same family for 29 years until changing hands in 2014.

After leaving the family ownership for the first time in 2014, a major service including cambelts was carried out. The car was sold to the UK where the owner, a Mr. Evans, exhibited the car at the 2015 Goodwood Revival and went through the process of Classiche certifying the car.

In 2018, the car changed hands again but remained in the UK. Finally, the GTO would find its way to its last owner in Germany, at the end of 2020. At the time of acquiring the car, a major cambelt service was performed.

A car is only original once, you can restore a car an infinite amount of times, but it's only original once. We hear way too many prospects contact us saying a car has, too many miles. I tell them, if the car has great service records and the car is in very good condition, who cares what the mileage is. Upon our acquisition we did a fresh service, replaced the control arm bushings, cryo cleaned the car and did a very careful and detailed restorative paint detail and interior detail.

A great occasion to acquire arguably the most desirable member of the Ferrari big-five with a great history, great documentation, and a rare authenticity and preservation.

This car was just presented to its new custodian this past weekend at the Cavallino Classic and took home Cavallino Honors of Platinum and „Greatest 8-cylinder“ which is only given to one 8-cylinder Ferrari.

This 288 GTO has just underwent a full major service and concours preperation by GT Motor Cars in 2022-2023.