Ferrari 288 GTO: The Most Iconic Homologation Supercar of the '80s
Raw Elegance - There’s something undeniably captivating about cars that were never meant to be tamed. Machines built with a singular purpose—racing glory—but somehow ended up carving a legendary place on the road instead. In the world of performance automobiles, where heritage, design, and brute force intertwine, few cars tell a story as thrilling as the Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114). It wasn’t just built to impress—it was crafted with the raw intention of conquering a now-defunct racing league. That twist of fate gave birth to one of the most revered Ferraris ever made.
Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114) is one of the homologation car model ranging built from 1984 to 1987 and only 272 units ever made during its production periods. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Born in Maranello between 1984 and 1987, the Ferrari 288 GTO was Ferrari’s answer to the Group B Circuit Racing series, a motorsport category that demanded street-legal homologation cars in order to compete. The name “GTO” itself tells the story: “Gran Turismo Omologata” — a nod to the very requirement that brought it into existence. But fate had other plans. As regulations tightened and interest dwindled, the series was scrapped. The 288 GTO, built with the intent to dominate the track, never saw a single Group B race. And yet, that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right.
Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114)was designed by renowned car stylist Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina and was originally built as a modified version of the Ferrari 308/328. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
What makes the 288 GTO stand out isn’t just the rarity—it’s the way Ferrari approached its design. Handled by Leonardo Fioravanti from the prestigious design house Pininfarina, the car was initially intended to be a modified version of the 308/328. However, as the project evolved, the 288 GTO took on a completely new identity. While you might spot a resemblance in silhouette, almost nothing of the 308/328 DNA truly remained. The result was a muscular, aggressive form that looked every bit ready for the circuit—whether or not it ever saw one.
Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114) powered by a rear-wheel-drive mid-mounted engine layout, with a 2,855 cc twin-turbo V8 F114 B 000 engine with a capacity of 2,855 cc. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
Underneath its sleek skin was a beastly twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V8 engine, officially known as the F114 B 000. That might sound modest by modern standards, but it packed an impressive 395 horsepower and 496 Nm of torque. With a rear-wheel-drive layout and a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 288 GTO could launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds, eventually reaching a top speed of 179 mph (288 kph). It wasn’t just fast—it was ferocious.
Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114)'s engine power is channeled to drive its rear wheels via a 5-speed manual
transmission system, allowing the Ferrari GTO to accelerate from 0 to 97 kph in just 5 seconds, before speeding at the top speed of 288 kph. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
During its limited production run, Ferrari built just 272 units of the 288 GTO. Each one, except for a lone black (nero) version, was finished in the iconic rosso red. That single black car would go on to be owned by the Sultan of Brunei, a detail that only adds to its mystique. Among other high-profile owners was former Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine, proving that this wasn’t just a car for collectors—it was a prize for those who truly appreciated the Ferrari legacy.
The one and only black (Nero) Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114), bearing chassis number 55671 and registered as BM9988, was owned by the Sultan of Brunei.(Picture from: SupercarNostalgia)
Ferrari didn’t stop there. In 1986, six units of an even wilder variant
calledthe 288 GTO Evoluzione were created. These cars pushed the
boundaries further with more dramatic styling and more extreme
performance, serving as experimental platforms that would influence the
legendary F40.
In 1986, Ferrari developed just six units of an even more extreme and track-focused variant known as the 288 GTO Evoluzione, pushing the boundaries of performance and design even further. (Picture from: Supercars)
Today, the 288 GTO is more than just a vintage supercar—it’s a crown jewel in the realm of classic Ferraris. Its rarity, combined with its untold racing destiny and pure, unfiltered performance, makes it highly coveted. If you’re dreaming of owning one, be prepared for stiff competition and an eye-watering price tag north of $3 million. It’s not just a car anymore—it’s a piece of automotive history, a symbol of what happens when racing dreams meet road-going reality.
For those who admire cars that dared to chase greatness, the Ferrari 288 GTO stands tall. Born for the track, destined for the street, and immortalized by fate—it’s a machine that continues to stir hearts, decades after its final roar echoed out of Maranello.*** [EKA [24062021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA ]
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Ferrari 288 GTO: The Most Iconic Homologation Supercar of the '80s
Born in Maranello between 1984 and 1987, the Ferrari 288 GTO was Ferrari’s answer to the Group B Circuit Racing series, a motorsport category that demanded street-legal homologation cars in order to compete. The name “GTO” itself tells the story: “Gran Turismo Omologata” — a nod to the very requirement that brought it into existence. But fate had other plans. As regulations tightened and interest dwindled, the series was scrapped. The 288 GTO, built with the intent to dominate the track, never saw a single Group B race. And yet, that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right.
For those who admire cars that dared to chase greatness, the Ferrari 288 GTO stands tall. Born for the track, destined for the street, and immortalized by fate—it’s a machine that continues to stir hearts, decades after its final roar echoed out of Maranello.*** [EKA [24062021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARNOSTALGIA ]
