The 288 GTO was never intended for Group B Rally. There was a Group B circuit/tarmac racing group also(to replace former Group 5). This class is what it's build for. After homologation in 1985, 6 Evo versions have been build. This is basicly a pre production F40. That same F40 has been homologated for Group B in 1989, although there was no such thing anymore. This made it possible to convert the homogation to the then new FIA GT class. This was easier since the homologation for the GTO was already there. The F40 basicly was a 288 Evo2.
The 288 GTO was built under Group B regulations with a multiplication factor for forced induction of 1.4 times which is why the engine had 2800cc to make it just under 4 litres according to regulations. Group B effectively was replacing Group 4 and 5 and allowed cars to compete in both rallies and circuit racing, which is why Ing Nicola Materazzi who projected the 288 GTO engine and then the evoluzione, produced for the evoluzione, in his own words, two engines, coded the CK and CR, one for rallying and one for circuit racing, the latter producing up to 650hp.
Correct. The 288 GTO, Jaguar XJ220 and Porsche 959 were all developed for this stillborn Gruppe B tarmac series. It was NEVER intended for “rally racing”. People hear “Group B” and get the wrong idea.
@@MichaelBlueMusic Group B allowed cars to be compliant for circuit racing "and" rally racing. The Porsche 959 was developed with the 4 wheel drive system in mind for future models, and specifically race tested in Group B rallying, but only really competed in anger in the Paris Dakar Rally where it competed in 1985 and 1986. The 1986 car had both the new four wheel drive system and the twin turbocharged engine and won the event. Four wheel drive is not ideal for circuit racing because of weight although porsche did produce a 959 track version. The Ferrari 308 Michelotto rally cars were already competing in tarmac rallies in Group 4 and Group B and the 288 GTO was built for rallying and racing and could have been like the Lancia Stratos in rally events with strong torque from the turbo engine. Materazzi who projected both rally and race Ferrari engines for the 288 Evoluzione was instrumental in the Lancia Stratos rally programme previously
@@cbca6567 you are right Groupe B defined a type of cars but was intented for both road and tarmac, the list of homologated cars is interesting you would find with the GTO and the F40 in particular: the BMW M1 and M535i, the Fiat Abarth 131 rallye, the infamous Alpine 110 1600, the Quattros from Audi, Mercedes 500 slc, the Ford Sierra RS, Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole, the Lancia O37 and Delta S4, the Peugeot 205 turbo 16, the 911 Turbo and 928 S, the Renault 5 turbo, the Corvette, the Alfa GTV6… to name a few… A mixed bag really 😊. Groupe S later was specific for rallye racing Groupe B was not. Now did Ferrari really intended to race the GTO in rallyes? This I do not know when the GTO was homologated in 1985 the Lancia 037 also it fought brilliantly showed that four wheel drive was the way of the future. Also Fiat a 50% shareholder of Ferrari back then in 1985 was probably reluctant to see Ferrari racing otherwise than in formula one… the Fiat group already owned Lancia who had made a name for itself in rallying and Alfa Romeo proved very successful in DTM … racing a GTO in rallye or on track probably never was a priority. In 1988 Fiat after the death of Enzo Ferrari had a controlling interest in Ferrari.
@@richarddumont5389 Interesting comments Richard, thank you! However how did the Lamborghini countach Quattrovalvole pass with a 5200cc v12 when the cc limit for group B was under 4000cc I wonder. Regarding whether Ferrari would have put the GTO into rally events, I think yes since the previous much rarer and fully glass fibre and lightened Michelotto Ferrari 308 GT/M rally cars were already competing in Grp4 and Grp B rallying and the GT0 was intended to be a replacement for both series and an evolution of what was learnt with those cars. However it could just as well have been used for sports car circuit racing. Ferrari threw all its then f1 technology at the 288 GTO regarding composite structure and according to the articles I have read on the car Ferrari went all out to make the car race competitive.
A doctor in my city had a 288 as his daily driver in the late '80s. Not only was it just awesome to drive such a machine daily, but with appreciation, his cost of ownership was lower than everything else on the road. I spoke with him once about a loophole I found in our state law that exempted doctors on call from speed limits.
This is my favorite Ferrari of all time. Ferrari really got this one right. Even though it was based on the 308 it eventually became a completely different animal.
One of my all-time favorite Ferraris, and my favorite of the Big 5. Had it on my wall as a kid - the poster had a Countach, 288 GTO, and a 959 on it, with the word “Decisions” printed beneath each car. Today I’d take the 288 out of the three. Back then I was stuck with Dad’s ’81 Corolla wagon.
Once upon a time... In the early 1990s, I worked in a Ferrari store in San Francisco and we had a "storage level" on the 4th floor. It was actually where owners could park their expensive cars in a safe place and take them out to drive occasionally. Many of them were actually for sale but not too energetically. A couple from Salt Lake City stopped in one Sunday afternoon and wanted to look around. I showed them what we had that was obviously for sale and he asked if there was anything else interesting in the shop. I showed them some of the cars up on the 4th floor, including a pair of F40s and a 288GTO. I got a chuckle out of his efforts at convincing his wife that he could sell his Testarossa TR512 and maybe get one of these two here. The line that got his wife going though, was when he explained that the 288GTO just might be a "more practical choice" than the F40 because it would be easier to drive the 288GTO on Utah's rougher pavement, since it had a little more ground clearance. She just about cracked up and expressed her opinion of using the term "more practical choice" and "Ferrari" in the same conversation! I gave him a questioning look at that point and he turned away from his wife and just grinned. He said "Well, I thought it sounded pretty good!"
I don't know about domination, they would have competed against the Porsche 959. Don't get me wrong, I love the 288 GTO, but the Porsche was more advanced and had one hell of a 4 wheel drive system.
“If you look at the maximum torque [500Nm] of my 288 GTO engine and compare it to that of Ferrari’s current turbo cars, which are 35 years younger, you’ll see they are not so far apart in terms of torque per litre of displacement. To me, it means that my engine, without any electronic support, was definitely better.” One of the purposes of the 288 GTO was to contest the planned Group B racing class. Materazzi was central to this project: “I was asked to work on it on Saturday mornings, so it wouldn’t affect my normal production work,” he recalls. “I remember the first Saturday morning, entering the office at 8am. I thought I would be alone, because I had asked only a few of my team to come in and help at about 8.30. When I arrived, my whole team was already there waiting for me and excited about this new challenge. These were the people who made Ferrari great.” “We developed two versions, using the workshop of Giuliano Michelotto, an old friend from the Lancia period, because we could move faster if we used his people. The Evoluzione was a new car, with a new, more rigid, chassis. We had two engines, one coded 114 CR with 530bhp and maximum torque at 3800rpm for rallies, and another coded 114 CK with 650bhp for racetracks. After these two prototypes, collectors asked to buy six or seven Evoluziones, offering crazy money, and, through Michelotto and the Cognolato bodyshop, we built them.” - Nicola Materazzi (2019 Interview extract) Source : www.whichcar.com.au/features/vale-mr-f40-nicola-materazzi
Congratulations again for a fantastic video. As always, I learn something new with every one of your videos. And the 288 GTO was always one of my favorites! 👍🏻
Fascinating video. Saw your Tik Tok videos first then came here from your notification, thanks ! 😁. Your knowledge is amazing. Thankyou for sharing. The first Ferrari supercar 🚗👍 Can't wait for the next video . 👍Andy.
I was a teen then. Just when I thought Ferrari couldn't possibly create a more beautiful car than the 308, they made the 288 GTO. I recall my Road & Track issue with her on the cover. Good God. I remember in the mid 80s seeing them for sale for the MSRP of I think about $126K. Of course, they'd later be trading hands for over a million.
Awesome of the new owner to let you do a video on this 288. There is something very special about this car, iconic Ferrari 308 silhouette on steroids with the performance to match.......... Interesting about the clutch and the porous magnesium housing.....Awesome video as always!!
Thanks Colleen, for an excellent review! You gave a much more complete description of this wonderful masterpiece than most. Too many guys (unfortunately, there are too few talented women in this field.) reviewing either Ferraris or often other high performance cars, spend much more time accelerating hard to hear the engine and driving them all over their favorite roads. That's nice and they certainly have a great time but the viewers often aren't as well versed in the technical details and would really like to hear some in depth description too. Well done!
I've seen one at my countrymans carage that I was happy to get a welcome many years ago. The most beautiful Ferrari ever made. He has a 512TR, F40, 308, 365bb and so on. Few group B cars he raced and N-groups + lots and lots of cool cars and memorabilia from the days he won wrc championships. That 288gto has always taken my breath away and I honestly think it's the most beautiful car ever made.
Minor point on the clutch problem, the bell housing doesn't 'leak air'. The magnesium alloy is much more reactive than aluminum and readily corrodes. The products of this corrosion are Magnesium Hydroxide and Hydrogen gas. The H2 is not concentrated enough to be a fire risk but it is very good at getting in where it shouldn't, including clutch fluid. The coating of the metal both stops the bell housing turning into white dust and keeps the fluid free of gas. Owners should also use a Mg-compatible fluid. Fun fact, the 288 body actually originated as a 1977 Pininfarina design study known as the 308 GTB Millechiodi. In the mid-'80s it was decided to use this longer, wider body for the 288 and it was also suggested that it should form the next generation base-model Ferrari as the 408 GTB, with a longitudinal 4-litre V8. The former idea became the beauty we see here, the latter was rejected in favour of a completely new platform that became the 348. But at least that gave us the 355! Oh, and the 288GTO was never intended for dirt rallies as you suggest; it was to be for tarmac only.
I wanted to say two things: the 288 was mostly the result of late evening conversations between Enzo Ferrari and Ing. Nicola Materazzi, who had been involved in the F1 division (126 C1 etc). Materazzi felt the only way to validate new technologies for the road cars was to go racing, where the loads are far higher (fatigue, forces etc). Yes the car was built for the new FIA regs (groups A, B, C etc) but not for rallying. It was built for circuit racing, to rules that would replace Group 5. It was supposed to be a championship for cars similar to the BMW M1, Porsche 935, De Tomaso Pantera etc. Materazzi then worked on the GTO Evoluzione and F40, then after that for Bugatti on the EB110.
Years ago, I had a ride in the 288 GTO from the Marriott collection. At 90 mph, the driver put his foot in it, and when the turbos spooled up, the car burned rubber and leaped forward. Even my GT40 doesn't have that much power in reserve.
Best all time looking ferrari imho . Great proportions , perfect blend between curves and sharp lines and edges , looks great probably from every angle , shows a strong brand identity and character. Truly iconic
This chick killed it. Kudos to her for doing it with personality and not sexuality. Madd respect to this woman for not being a stereotype and knocking it out of the park.
Shelton Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale had a brand new 288 GTO out front proud and loud. I stopped and just gawked at it, asked if I could take a close look and was told of course! I think I totally embarrassed the sales guy by dropping to the concrete and crawling under the car. The incredible castings, the detailed workmanship held my attention for some time. I think he breathed a sigh of relief when I finally left.
Colleen I loved the video as always. This is my dream car. When I was in 6th grade I built the Testors model kit of this car and used the 40th Anniversary of Ferrari Road and Track issue as a reference. In mine I did paint the red inserts in the seats! If I hit the Mega Millions, my first call will be to you to find one of these unicorns no matter the price. Love the channel keep the videos coming.
As always she is very polished on her presentation… this is one iconic car that has a lot of details and history for a condensed narrative… great filmography where is street daylight- and those curves come out over the asphalt… all in red. Again. This …. Is one serious car unmatched over decades. Alain de Cadenet? Did also a great presentation on this gorgeous machine.
I believe the 288 GTO had a longer wheelbase compared the the 308/328. This was to accommodate the revised engine orientation. Sealing the porous castings is a common practice in industry and is a very robust solution. Great video Coleen! Thanks for sharing this beautiful car.
Back in the 80's, when everyone was drooling over the Testarossa and the Countach, I just wanted a 288. They weren't very popular back then, but now, everyone wants one. At one point in my life, these were selling for about $60k. They were only that cheap at the time because nobody had any money. Now that I have the money, the price has gone far north of my budget.
I had a poster of that very car on my bedroom wall as a boy... for me, it was like a beautiful, naughty and angry version of the 308 which was already a hot looking car, but this took that to another level. For me, even more exciting than the F40, because it has that late 70s/ early 80s DNA of Pininfarina design. If I could have any modern classic Ferrari and could afford it (never!) It would be this one
One of FAVORITE cars since it came out, which I DO remember! Along with the Mclaren F1, Ferrari F40, and Vector W8. I don't remember the initial release of the Countach, I was very young. I do however, remember the 25th Anniversary release, also a favorite. I am a late year gen Xer...the best gen next to WW2 Vets, I might add too, Hehe!
Great stuff, and I learned something: I knew previously about the lightweight yet stiff body parts and the limited options (befitting a car intended for racing), but didn’t know the engine mounting was longitudinal (had never seen one with the bonnet open).
This is the Ferrari I would buy if I had the money. I also like the 250 GT SWB for the earlier Ferraris, but I feel the 288 was the point when Ferrari became the car I fell in love with.
The 288 has been my favorite car of all time since it’s Launch in the mid- 80’s. Still to this day it’s the one and only for me !! I would settle for just a ride in one. Anybody?? :)
The 288 gto as much of a beauty now as it was when it was released back in the mid 80s. 400Bhp Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought 288 was 2.8 litres displacement because of the fia rule being turbo charged that was the maximum you were allowed under group b rules. The 8 was for 8 cylinders. The wheelbase was longer then the standerd 308 because of the longitudinal engine layout, but it rode better for it. The stance and height was so much better so no grounding out the nose on bumps/ramps. One car was built in black and RHD for the sultan of bruni as far as I remember. The bases for the F40.
The Ferrari 288 was never really intended to be a rally car. Everybody remembers the "Group B" rally cars, but the "Group B" regulations covered both rally cars, and circuit GT cars. The 288 GTO was intended to be a circuit GT racer, and there was a possibilty it could have been entered on a few selected: "tarmac only" rallies. With only two wheel drive, as a rally car in 1984/'85, the 288 GTO would have been humiliated on any other surface than tarmac - It just would not have been able to get it's power down on gravel, ice, snow or mud, in the way that the 4wd cars from Audi, Peugeot, Renault etc., could. There's no way on this Planet that Enzo Ferrari would risk his cars being beaten by such "domestic" car manufacturers. Enzo Ferrari had zero interest in rallying, but he had a lot of interest in circuit racing.
The 288 GTO also had a longer body as a result of the longitudinal mounted engine, flared wheel arches necessitating it raised mirrors to see over them, black ‘A’ pillars, black painted detail around the rear window to make it look sleeker, front driving/fog lights and 3 piece alloy wheels. Indeed, it was a far better proportioned car visually over the 308/328. Forget the F50, Enso and later designs with fussy details, the 288 GTO with its classic coke bottle shape is undoubtedly one of the best looking Ferraris of the modern mid engined era. It’s design is timeless.
Still my favorite and I think the most Beautiful of the Ferrari's. All Ferrari's are gorgeous of course but this one just has that "Stance" that sets it apart from the rest for me.
I have always loved 288's - mainly because they are understated, the uninitiated believe they are just a 308. I remember the Motor Trend Article something like "All Dressed Up with No place to go." car featured was owned by the founder of Cincinatti Microwave - which made Escort radar Detectors - .
My favorite Ferrari all time ! I would take a 288 over an F40 any day, tons of seat time in both and the 288 is much the best. So many memories with the 288, what a car, FORZA...
DJ Pierre is absolutely correct. I was astonished when I saw this clip a couple of weeks ago, because I couldn't understand how a rear wheel drive car of the era - even the 288 GTO - was going to to trouble an Audi quattro on a rally stage (and the quattro itself was beginning to be old news). Ferrari would have to be crazy to think this package - delicious and beautiful as it is - would have the reliability, let alone the out and out traction to do such a thing. The Group B circuit racing makes much more sense. In order to satisfy the homologation rule at least 200 were built. It's claimed that 275 or maybe more were actually built. With Ferrari's sense of theatre, might >275 be 288 perhaps?
Ferrari was working on several RWD rally cars around that time, they happened to do it when all the changes to the rules, turbos etc. were being made. Ex ferrari 308GTM
Saw a few of these on the road when they came out. The second most beautiful Ferrari IMO. 375GTS being the prettiest. F40 up there. Only Ferraris I like, at least road going ones.
The Ferrari 288 GTO is beautiful. Every angle. A work of art.
What car? hehe
@@WalrusRiderEntertainment Agreed! Nice stance.😛
One of the Most Beautiful Cars ever built
The 288 GTO was never intended for Group B Rally. There was a Group B circuit/tarmac racing group also(to replace former Group 5). This class is what it's build for. After homologation in 1985, 6 Evo versions have been build. This is basicly a pre production F40. That same F40 has been homologated for Group B in 1989, although there was no such thing anymore. This made it possible to convert the homogation to the then new FIA GT class. This was easier since the homologation for the GTO was already there. The F40 basicly was a 288 Evo2.
The 288 GTO was built under Group B regulations with a multiplication factor for forced induction of 1.4 times which is why the engine had 2800cc to make it just under 4 litres according to regulations. Group B effectively was replacing Group 4 and 5 and allowed cars to compete in both rallies and circuit racing, which is why Ing Nicola Materazzi who projected the 288 GTO engine and then the evoluzione, produced for the evoluzione, in his own words, two engines, coded the CK and CR, one for rallying and one for circuit racing, the latter producing up to 650hp.
Correct. The 288 GTO, Jaguar XJ220 and Porsche 959 were all developed for this stillborn Gruppe B tarmac series. It was NEVER intended for “rally racing”. People hear “Group B” and get the wrong idea.
@@MichaelBlueMusic Group B allowed cars to be compliant for circuit racing "and" rally racing. The Porsche 959 was developed with the 4 wheel drive system in mind for future models, and specifically race tested in Group B rallying, but only really competed in anger in the Paris Dakar Rally where it competed in 1985 and 1986. The 1986 car had both the new four wheel drive system and the twin turbocharged engine and won the event. Four wheel drive is not ideal for circuit racing because of weight although porsche did produce a 959 track version. The Ferrari 308 Michelotto rally cars were already competing in tarmac rallies in Group 4 and Group B and the 288 GTO was built for rallying and racing and could have been like the Lancia Stratos in rally events with strong torque from the turbo engine. Materazzi who projected both rally and race Ferrari engines for the 288 Evoluzione was instrumental in the Lancia Stratos rally programme previously
@@cbca6567 you are right Groupe B defined a type of cars but was intented for both road and tarmac, the list of homologated cars is interesting you would find with the GTO and the F40 in particular: the BMW M1 and M535i, the Fiat Abarth 131 rallye, the infamous Alpine 110 1600, the Quattros from Audi, Mercedes 500 slc, the Ford Sierra RS, Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole, the Lancia O37 and Delta S4, the Peugeot 205 turbo 16, the 911 Turbo and 928 S, the Renault 5 turbo, the Corvette, the Alfa GTV6… to name a few… A mixed bag really 😊. Groupe S later was specific for rallye racing Groupe B was not. Now did Ferrari really intended to race the GTO in rallyes? This I do not know when the GTO was homologated in 1985 the Lancia 037 also it fought brilliantly showed that four wheel drive was the way of the future. Also Fiat a 50% shareholder of Ferrari back then in 1985 was probably reluctant to see Ferrari racing otherwise than in formula one… the Fiat group already owned Lancia who had made a name for itself in rallying and Alfa Romeo proved very successful in DTM … racing a GTO in rallye or on track probably never was a priority. In 1988 Fiat after the death of Enzo Ferrari had a controlling interest in Ferrari.
@@richarddumont5389 Interesting comments Richard, thank you! However how did the Lamborghini countach Quattrovalvole pass with a 5200cc v12 when the cc limit for group B was under 4000cc I wonder. Regarding whether Ferrari would have put the GTO into rally events, I think yes since the previous much rarer and fully glass fibre and lightened Michelotto Ferrari 308 GT/M rally cars were already competing in Grp4 and Grp B rallying and the GT0 was intended to be a replacement for both series and an evolution of what was learnt with those cars. However it could just as well have been used for sports car circuit racing. Ferrari threw all its then f1 technology at the 288 GTO regarding composite structure and according to the articles I have read on the car Ferrari went all out to make the car race competitive.
A doctor in my city had a 288 as his daily driver in the late '80s. Not only was it just awesome to drive such a machine daily, but with appreciation, his cost of ownership was lower than everything else on the road. I spoke with him once about a loophole I found in our state law that exempted doctors on call from speed limits.
David Lee bought a 288 got from a doctor. Any chance it is the same car?
@@Daniel-iq5oo Only if said city was in Italy.
This is my favorite Ferrari of all time. Ferrari really got this one right. Even though it was based on the 308 it eventually became a completely different animal.
One of my all-time favorite Ferraris, and my favorite of the Big 5. Had it on my wall as a kid - the poster had a Countach, 288 GTO, and a 959 on it, with the word “Decisions” printed beneath each car. Today I’d take the 288 out of the three. Back then I was stuck with Dad’s ’81 Corolla wagon.
Once upon a time... In the early 1990s, I worked in a Ferrari store in San Francisco and we had a "storage level" on the 4th floor. It was actually where owners could park their expensive cars in a safe place and take them out to drive occasionally. Many of them were actually for sale but not too energetically.
A couple from Salt Lake City stopped in one Sunday afternoon and wanted to look around. I showed them what we had that was obviously for sale and he asked if there was anything else interesting in the shop. I showed them some of the cars up on the 4th floor, including a pair of F40s and a 288GTO. I got a chuckle out of his efforts at convincing his wife that he could sell his Testarossa TR512 and maybe get one of these two here. The line that got his wife going though, was when he explained that the 288GTO just might be a "more practical choice" than the F40 because it would be easier to drive the 288GTO on Utah's rougher pavement, since it had a little more ground clearance.
She just about cracked up and expressed her opinion of using the term "more practical choice" and "Ferrari" in the same conversation! I gave him a questioning look at that point and he turned away from his wife and just grinned. He said "Well, I thought it sounded pretty good!"
@@MrGaryGG48 Haha, that’s great! At least he didn’t try and say the 288 would be better for towing or transporting lumber home from Lowe’s.
'81 corolla wagon was an excellent dad's car.
Those KE70 Corolla's are worth a pretty penny too
Although the 288 was intended for Group B it was for a circuit and not rally series. However, 308s were rallied successfully in period.
When and where was the overweight and under-powered 308 rallied successfully?
Absolutely one of, if not, the best looking Ferrari ever designed. Pure and perfect
Ferrari in rally racing is a WILD thought. I'm sure they would dominate and be super iconic in that like they are in F1
I'm sure there would've been some very healthy rivalry with Lancia
Look up the 308 GTM 😉
@@FerrarisOnline Fascinating car I had no idea existed. Built by Michelotto, no less.
I don't know about domination, they would have competed against the Porsche 959. Don't get me wrong, I love the 288 GTO, but the Porsche was more advanced and had one hell of a 4 wheel drive system.
As always, another phantastic presentation! Thank you so much, Colleen!
“If you look at the maximum torque [500Nm] of my 288 GTO engine and compare it to that of Ferrari’s current turbo cars, which are 35 years younger, you’ll see they are not so far apart in terms of torque per litre of displacement. To me, it means that my engine, without any electronic support, was definitely better.”
One of the purposes of the 288 GTO was to contest the planned Group B racing class. Materazzi was central to this project: “I was asked to work on it on Saturday mornings, so it wouldn’t affect my normal production work,” he recalls.
“I remember the first Saturday morning, entering the office at 8am. I thought I would be alone, because I had asked only a few of my team to come in and help at about 8.30. When I arrived, my whole team was already there waiting for me and excited about this new challenge. These were the people who made Ferrari great.”
“We developed two versions, using the workshop of Giuliano Michelotto, an old friend from the Lancia period, because we could move faster if we used his people. The Evoluzione was a new car, with a new, more rigid, chassis. We had two engines, one coded 114 CR with 530bhp and maximum torque at 3800rpm for rallies, and another coded 114 CK with 650bhp for racetracks. After these two prototypes, collectors asked to buy six or seven Evoluziones, offering crazy money, and, through Michelotto and the Cognolato bodyshop, we built them.”
- Nicola Materazzi (2019 Interview extract)
Source : www.whichcar.com.au/features/vale-mr-f40-nicola-materazzi
Congratulations again for a fantastic video. As always, I learn something new with every one of your videos. And the 288 GTO was always one of my favorites! 👍🏻
Very well done! This is one of my all-time favorite Ferraris and it only gets better over time.
The best looking car ever!!!
I love the intro music. Very evocative of the 1980s and Miami Vice.
Fascinating video. Saw your Tik Tok videos first then came here from your notification, thanks ! 😁. Your knowledge is amazing. Thankyou for sharing. The first Ferrari supercar 🚗👍 Can't wait for the next video . 👍Andy.
Thank you so much 😀
My favorite Ferrari, and the most beautiful of all IMO!
All the sexy looks of the 308 with the absolutely bonkers insane F1-ish drivetrain to give it the sexy performance to match!!
I was 20 when these came out and instantly became my favorite car Ever!!!!.....Still is. Thanks Colleen
I was a teen then. Just when I thought Ferrari couldn't possibly create a more beautiful car than the 308, they made the 288 GTO. I recall my Road & Track issue with her on the cover. Good God.
I remember in the mid 80s seeing them for sale for the MSRP of I think about $126K. Of course, they'd later be trading hands for over a million.
Funny how the 288 GTO looks so timeless compared to the 308 which looks very much a product of its era!
I was lucky to see TWO 🏎🏎 288 GTOs in one place at one time! 🤩
Awesome of the new owner to let you do a video on this 288. There is something very special about this car, iconic Ferrari 308 silhouette on steroids with the performance to match.......... Interesting about the clutch and the porous magnesium housing.....Awesome video as always!!
Thanks Colleen, for an excellent review! You gave a much more complete description of this wonderful masterpiece than most. Too many guys (unfortunately, there are too few talented women in this field.) reviewing either Ferraris or often other high performance cars, spend much more time accelerating hard to hear the engine and driving them all over their favorite roads. That's nice and they certainly have a great time but the viewers often aren't as well versed in the technical details and would really like to hear some in depth description too. Well done!
One of my favorite Ferraris of all time.
288 GTO is my favorite Ferrari! Thanks for the video 🙏 Love from a big Ferrari supporter!
Great video. This car is spectacular. For me, one of the most desirable cars to have ever existed.
Thanks for sharing my favourite Ferrari of all time. I own a 308 and I know it's the closest I will ever get to one.
I've seen one at my countrymans carage that I was happy to get a welcome many years ago. The most beautiful Ferrari ever made. He has a 512TR, F40, 308, 365bb and so on. Few group B cars he raced and N-groups + lots and lots of cool cars and memorabilia from the days he won wrc championships.
That 288gto has always taken my breath away and I honestly think it's the most beautiful car ever made.
First hypercar in the world, first road legal car to go over 300km/h!! Dream machine!
absolutely love the 288GTO i think I would aspire to get one of these before an F40 but having both would be insane. Great video as always.
Thanks!!
Minor point on the clutch problem, the bell housing doesn't 'leak air'. The magnesium alloy is much more reactive than aluminum and readily corrodes. The products of this corrosion are Magnesium Hydroxide and Hydrogen gas. The H2 is not concentrated enough to be a fire risk but it is very good at getting in where it shouldn't, including clutch fluid. The coating of the metal both stops the bell housing turning into white dust and keeps the fluid free of gas. Owners should also use a Mg-compatible fluid.
Fun fact, the 288 body actually originated as a 1977 Pininfarina design study known as the 308 GTB Millechiodi. In the mid-'80s it was decided to use this longer, wider body for the 288 and it was also suggested that it should form the next generation base-model Ferrari as the 408 GTB, with a longitudinal 4-litre V8. The former idea became the beauty we see here, the latter was rejected in favour of a completely new platform that became the 348. But at least that gave us the 355!
Oh, and the 288GTO was never intended for dirt rallies as you suggest; it was to be for tarmac only.
I wanted to say two things: the 288 was mostly the result of late evening conversations between Enzo Ferrari and Ing. Nicola Materazzi, who had been involved in the F1 division (126 C1 etc). Materazzi felt the only way to validate new technologies for the road cars was to go racing, where the loads are far higher (fatigue, forces etc). Yes the car was built for the new FIA regs (groups A, B, C etc) but not for rallying. It was built for circuit racing, to rules that would replace Group 5. It was supposed to be a championship for cars similar to the BMW M1, Porsche 935, De Tomaso Pantera etc. Materazzi then worked on the GTO Evoluzione and F40, then after that for Bugatti on the EB110.
Years ago, I had a ride in the 288 GTO from the Marriott collection. At 90 mph, the driver put his foot in it, and when the turbos spooled up, the car burned rubber and leaped forward. Even my GT40 doesn't have that much power in reserve.
288 Finally , i was waiting for your review
Greetings from Brazil!
Best all time looking ferrari imho . Great proportions , perfect blend between curves and sharp lines and edges , looks great probably from every angle , shows a strong brand identity and character. Truly iconic
This chick killed it. Kudos to her for doing it with personality and not sexuality. Madd respect to this woman for not being a stereotype and knocking it out of the park.
The tattoos are gross, though.
@@ptjww9455 agree
Shelton Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale had a brand new 288 GTO out front proud and loud. I stopped and just gawked at it, asked if I could take a close look and was told of course! I think I totally embarrassed the sales guy by dropping to the concrete and crawling under the car. The incredible castings, the detailed workmanship held my attention for some time. I think he breathed a sigh of relief when I finally left.
Colleen I loved the video as always. This is my dream car. When I was in 6th grade I built the Testors model kit of this car and used the 40th Anniversary of Ferrari Road and Track issue as a reference. In mine I did paint the red inserts in the seats! If I hit the Mega Millions, my first call will be to you to find one of these unicorns no matter the price. Love the channel keep the videos coming.
Special car. Special lady. Wonderful video! Hope everyone has had a great weekend!! Take care and God bless!!!
Let’s give a hand to this young lady for being so knowledgeable and articulate. Great job
Beautiful! Pop-up headlights remind me of my old X1/9 🤣
That intro is captivating
Nice to see the 288 being covered on this channel! 👍
In 1985, my father purchased his 288 for just over 100k.
He didn’t receive the car until the first quarter of 1986.
I have always loved the 308s sculpted body, this car really bought it out and is one of most beautiful cars to ever be created.
As always she is very polished on her presentation… this is one iconic car that has a lot of details and history for a condensed narrative… great filmography where is street daylight- and those curves come out over the asphalt… all in red. Again. This …. Is one serious car unmatched over decades. Alain de Cadenet? Did also a great presentation on this gorgeous machine.
Since childhood my absolute favorite Ferrari. Total rock star
Very informative, great upload content and easy to follow. Every day is a learning day.
Not only my favorite Ferrari but the only Ferrari I would own if I could. Timeless.
I believe the 288 GTO had a longer wheelbase compared the the 308/328. This was to accommodate the revised engine orientation. Sealing the porous castings is a common practice in industry and is a very robust solution. Great video Coleen! Thanks for sharing this beautiful car.
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you. Israel
I live in Austin, Texas. Can't wait to see this thing one day!!
Love your videos
Interesting video. Definitely learnt some things. Such a beautiful car!
In the mid 80's i delivered several and picked up for service along with all those other 80's super cars and fun sports cars. What a good summer.
It might have been a different model... anyway the GTO was great fun to drive...
This was in Newport, RI
Priceless video Coleen, I’m very impressed to know the top of the car is made on Cabon Fiber on 80’s. 😍
Thanks! Using carbon on cars roughly started in the early 80s 😀
Great info on this amazing classic
This is my childhood hero! What a legend!
Timeless design. Its definetly one the best looking Ferrari.
Cracking video. What a beautiful car, really
One of the best looking Ferraris ever 👍
Back in the 80's, when everyone was drooling over the Testarossa and the Countach, I just wanted a 288. They weren't very popular back then, but now, everyone wants one. At one point in my life, these were selling for about $60k. They were only that cheap at the time because nobody had any money. Now that I have the money, the price has gone far north of my budget.
CARBON - roof, that was new to me. Thanks for that. Pretty advanced stuff for 1982 - 1983 development enviroments.
Such an amazing car. Love this Ferrari. Thx for another excellent video.👍
That's my absolute Dream-Car and have been that since in the middle of the 80s when I first saw it.
My fave Ferrari of all time! Thanks for the vid!
I had a poster of that very car on my bedroom wall as a boy... for me, it was like a beautiful, naughty and angry version of the 308 which was already a hot looking car, but this took that to another level. For me, even more exciting than the F40, because it has that late 70s/ early 80s DNA of Pininfarina design. If I could have any modern classic Ferrari and could afford it (never!) It would be this one
One of FAVORITE cars since it came out, which I DO remember!
Along with the Mclaren F1, Ferrari F40, and Vector W8.
I don't remember the initial release of the Countach, I was very young. I do however, remember the 25th Anniversary release, also a favorite.
I am a late year gen Xer...the best gen next to WW2 Vets, I might add too, Hehe!
Great stuff, and I learned something: I knew previously about the lightweight yet stiff body parts and the limited options (befitting a car intended for racing), but didn’t know the engine mounting was longitudinal (had never seen one with the bonnet open).
This is the Ferrari I would buy if I had the money. I also like the 250 GT SWB for the earlier Ferraris, but I feel the 288 was the point when Ferrari became the car I fell in love with.
The 288 is my #1 Ferrari. The F40 is a close #2. The 308/328 body design is still the most satisfying sports car design ever. Just gorgeous.
My favorite Ferrari from my childhood
The 288 has been my favorite car of all time since it’s Launch in the mid- 80’s. Still to this day it’s the one and only for me !! I would settle for just a ride in one. Anybody?? :)
Very will done, nice video thanks
The 288 gto as much of a beauty now as it was when it was released back in the mid 80s.
400Bhp
Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought 288 was 2.8 litres displacement because of the fia rule being turbo charged that was the maximum you were allowed under group b rules. The 8 was for 8 cylinders.
The wheelbase was longer then the standerd 308 because of the longitudinal engine layout, but it rode better for it. The stance and height was so much better so no grounding out the nose on bumps/ramps.
One car was built in black and RHD for the sultan of bruni as far as I remember.
The bases for the F40.
Immediate like. My favourite Ferrari by far
My most-favourite Ferrari model ❤️
My favourite car! ❤
The Ferrari 288 was never really intended to be a rally car.
Everybody remembers the "Group B" rally cars, but the "Group B" regulations covered both rally cars, and circuit GT cars.
The 288 GTO was intended to be a circuit GT racer, and there was a possibilty it could have been entered on a few selected: "tarmac only" rallies.
With only two wheel drive, as a rally car in 1984/'85, the 288 GTO would have been humiliated on any other surface than tarmac - It just would not have been able to get it's power down on gravel, ice, snow or mud, in the way that the 4wd cars from Audi, Peugeot, Renault etc., could. There's no way on this Planet that Enzo Ferrari would risk his cars being beaten by such "domestic" car manufacturers.
Enzo Ferrari had zero interest in rallying, but he had a lot of interest in circuit racing.
What a stunning car. In my Ferrari top 5.
The 288 GTO is a unicorn from the 80’s
It’s so pretty and fast
Great video. This is my favorite car of all time. Nicely done.
very informative, learned lots.
That’s my favorite model,…and the GTO is not bad either.
Nice video. She's good. Cheers from the Finger Lakes.
The 288 and the 308 are in my opinion the quintessential sports cars. I’m a child of the 80s obviously. So pretty.
288 GTO and F40 most iconic Ferrari ever!!!
The 288 GTO also had a longer body as a result of the longitudinal mounted engine, flared wheel arches necessitating it raised mirrors to see over them, black ‘A’ pillars, black painted detail around the rear window to make it look sleeker, front driving/fog lights and 3 piece alloy wheels. Indeed, it was a far better proportioned car visually over the 308/328. Forget the F50, Enso and later designs with fussy details, the 288 GTO with its classic coke bottle shape is undoubtedly one of the best looking Ferraris of the modern mid engined era. It’s design is timeless.
this will always be the Ferrari in my book
I had a friend who had one, and he gave me a ride in it. It was incredible.
Great coverage of a most interesting car
Still my favorite and I think the most Beautiful of the Ferrari's. All Ferrari's are gorgeous of course but this one just has that "Stance" that sets it apart from the rest for me.
If we could have only heard it.
I have always loved 288's - mainly because they are understated, the uninitiated believe they are just a 308.
I remember the Motor Trend Article something like "All Dressed Up with No place to go." car featured was owned by the founder of Cincinatti Microwave - which made Escort radar Detectors - .
My favorite Ferrari all time ! I would take a 288 over an F40 any day, tons of seat time in both and the 288 is much the best. So many memories with the 288, what a car, FORZA...
DJ Pierre is absolutely correct. I was astonished when I saw this clip a couple of weeks ago, because I couldn't understand how a rear wheel drive car of the era - even the 288 GTO - was going to to trouble an Audi quattro on a rally stage (and the quattro itself was beginning to be old news). Ferrari would have to be crazy to think this package - delicious and beautiful as it is - would have the reliability, let alone the out and out traction to do such a thing. The Group B circuit racing makes much more sense.
In order to satisfy the homologation rule at least 200 were built. It's claimed that 275 or maybe more were actually built. With Ferrari's sense of theatre, might >275 be 288 perhaps?
Ferrari was working on several RWD rally cars around that time, they happened to do it when all the changes to the rules, turbos etc. were being made. Ex ferrari 308GTM
Cool car. You do a great job .I always liked them but your knowledge and getting to see them is fun ...
Both the 288 Gto and the David Lee Dino Evo are my grail ferraris.
Great video as always🤗
Certainement une des plus désirable à mes yeux, elle trônait en poster dans ma chambre d'ado. merci pour cette vidéo.
Saw a few of these on the road when they came out. The second most beautiful Ferrari IMO. 375GTS being the prettiest. F40 up there. Only Ferraris I like, at least road going ones.