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I’ll be the primary to confess I’m extra of a Lamborghini man than a Ferrari man. Nonetheless, there are just a few exceptions to this, one being the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO, for Gran Turismo Omologata, this very spectacular automotive was solely in manufacturing for 3 years, between 1984 and 1988. Solely 272 models had been in-built Maranello, making this a comparatively uncommon automotive as we speak, and whereas at first look it would appear to be the extra refined 308 GTB which was constructed between 1975 and 1983, this 288 GTO is a distinct beast altogether.
Powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine the 288 GTO got here with 395 bhp and 366 lb-ft of torque to ship a high pace of a minimum of 288 km/h (179 mph), acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took simply 5 seconds, however get this, the Ferrari 288 GTO was not ‘federalized’ on the market in the US, those that did get imported into the USA had been all gray import autos, which made this Prancing Horse much more unique within the Eigthies, and one other main distinction between the 308 GTB and the 288 GTO, regardless of each having a V8 is the very fact the latter had the engine mounted longitudinally, identical to within the competitors from Sant’Agata, the Lamborghini Countach LP500 S.
As you would possibly anticipate, many of the Ferrari 288 GTO left the manufacturing facility doorways in Maranello completed within the traditional Rosso shade, however there are just a few others on the market, and whereas this new period GTO would possibly appear to be a 308 or 328 GTB to the untrained eye, there are fairly just a few main variations noticeable, just like the deeper entrance bumper with 4 huge built-in lights under the flip indicators, make no mistake, there are nonetheless two pop-up headlights too. One other distinction are the a lot wider wheel arches each entrance and rear, overlaying huge Speedline rims, whereas the outside rearview mirrors are one other trademark for the 288 GTO.
Let’s not neglect the styling queues which were taken from the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO from the Sixties, the three ‘slats’ behind the entrance wheel of that traditional race automotive, on the 288 had been lower into the rear panel behind the rear wheels, however they’re nonetheless there, as is the ‘ducktail’ on the rear for aerodynamic causes, and whereas not noticeable on sight, the 288 GTO weighed simply 1,159 kg (2,555 lb) in comparison with the heavier 308 GTB at 1,399 kg (3,085 lb) due to utilizing metal just for the doorways, the remainder of the bodypanels on the GTO had been comprised of light-weight Kevlar and carbon fiber, one thing that will make a return on what many would take into account the successor to the 288 GTO, the Ferrari F40.
However what’s it prefer to take this now traditional Ferrari 288 GTO for a drive? Let’s check out what Harry from Harry’s Storage on Youtube has to say about this Ferrari icon after a 1,000 km drive, and why he really purchased a Zonda again in 2005 as a substitute of this masterpiece from Maranello:
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