FERRARI 288 GTO 1984-1986 Photos, engines & full specs

Ferrari fans already know that the GTO nameplate was not given to just any car.

The Ferrari 288 GTO unveiled in 1984 at the Geneva Motor Show was the successor of the famous Ferrari 250 GTO, the most valuable collector car in the world.

Built solely for racing, the 250 GTO was produced in a total of 36 units and was fitted with a formidable V12 unit that cranked out 296 hp.

The then-new Ferrari 288 GTO was visually similar to the Ferrari 308 GTB, from which it borrowed its base construction principle. Even if from afar it was hard to tell the difference between the two, the 288 GTO was redesigned for a more aggressive look, but the changes were also functional.

Looking to reduce weight, the panels were made of lightweight materials, the fenders were made of fiberglass composite and the doors were made of aluminum. The roof was a combination of carbon fiber and Kevlar, while the doors were made of aluminum.

With the Ferrari 288 GTO came an astonishing V8 unit that developed no less than 400 hp, with the sports car accelerating to 100 kph in around 4.8 seconds.

Inside, even if the 288 GTO was focused on performance, it still featured a luxurious cabin with suede-wrapped dashboard, carpeting and leather seats as standard. Optional features included air-conditioning, power windows and a cassette stereo.

Produced in 272 units, all 288 GTOs were painted red, but 1 prototype was painted yellow by Ferrari’s official coach-builder, Pininfarina.