The Ferrari 288 GTO, the most sought after of the 1980s exotic homologation model

There is no doubt that Ferrari, an Italian premium car brand, is well known for its premium quality automotive products, most of which have fierce performance both on the circuit and on the road as well. One of the most sought after Ferarri's car models is the Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114).

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)

This sports car is one of the exotic homologation car models made of the the prancing horse logoed high-performance car manufacturer ranging from 1984 to 1987 at its factory facility in Maranello. And the GTO name attached on the car is consisted with the abbreviation 'GT' for 'Gran Turismo', while the letter 'O' is 'Omologata' (an Italian for homologation).

This sportscar model is often simply referred as the Ferrari GTO, and its making is intended to race in the new Group B Circuit Racing series that has the homologation requirement, in which the participant should be fullfil minimum of 200 cars must be produced in a road-legal version.

Ferrari 288 GTO (Type F114) was designed by renowned car stylist Leonardo Fioravanti di Pininfarina and was originally built as a modified version of the Ferrari 308/328. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)

But there was a lack of participants due to the strictness of the racing regulations, thus making the Group B Circuit Race series is canceled. As a result, the Ferrari 288 GTO never raced at those event, and all cars built were purely in the road-legal versions. All of them are painted in typical Ferrari's rosso (red), except for one which is black (nero).

The Ferrari 288 GTO was designed by renowned car stylist Leonardo Fioravanti di Pininfarina. The car was originally built as a modified version of the Ferrari 308/328 to keep costs down and build the car in short time, but eventually little of the 308/328's identity remained when the 288 GTO was completed.

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)

In terms of performance, the Ferrari GTO has 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. The engine is capable of spewing power of 395 hp (294 kW) and torque at 496 Nm (366 lb.ft).

Then those 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 60 mph (97 kph) in just 5 seconds, before speeding at the top speed of 179 mph (288 kph).

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 three-year production periods ranging from 1984 to 1987, there're 272 Ferrari 288 GTOs were built. The company also briefly built six 288 GTO Evoluzione models with a more 'aggressive' bodystyle and aerodynamics and more capable power, introduced to public in 1986.

It turns out that this Ferrari sports car model is owned by many world's famous people, one of which is 1982 Ferrari 288 GTO that was once owned by former Formula 1 racer Eddie Irvine and reportedly the another one is the stunning ultra-rare right-hand drive black (Nero) is once owned by the Sultan of Brunei.

No wonder, if the Ferrari 288 GTO is one of the most desirable Ferraris out there. It's nothing, today the car has exorbitant price tags. Reportedly, if you're not ready to pay at least more than $3 million then you'd better forget about it. So it's not easy to get, even there is a tight competition among the wealthy classic car fans for it. *** [EKA | FROM VARI OUS SOURCES | CARSTYLING.RU ]

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