Got to drive a 288 GTO this past weekend........... | FerrariChat
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Got to drive a 288 GTO this past weekend...........

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by kizdan, Sep 17, 2007.

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  1. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    #1 kizdan, Sep 17, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Many thanks to a very special customer of mine who asked me to drive his GTO to and from a Concours event this past Saturday.

    The GTO was my very 1st dream car, and still is my favorite looking Ferrari of all time. When he bought the car, I asked him to promise me to take me for a ride in it. He said he'd do me one better by letting me drive it.

    The seats are a little tight fitting for a wide butt like mine, but I didn't mind at all. All other ergonomics were quite good. The clutch has a bout a half inch to work with, and it was either on or off. I stalled it a few times trying to get underway, but eventually got used to it. The brakes felt phenomenal. I can't say I tested their limits, but they felt great - very communicative.

    And those turbos! Oh, those turbos! When you hear the hissing start, and then the immediate thrust forward - it was orgasmic! Very, very fast.

    I'm sure both Veedub00 and 348_Spiderman can confirm these feelings, as they rode shotgun with me at various points for the ride.

    I have driven an Enzo before, and I will say I was more excited to drive a GTO. Still my all-time favorite Ferrari!

    The following pic was taken by nthfinity, me at the wheel, and 348_Spiderman in the passenger seat.
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  2. rollsorferrari?

    rollsorferrari? F1 Veteran

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    #2 rollsorferrari?, Sep 17, 2007
    very cool! congrats! how would you compare the differences to the enzo? was the gto stable to drive? how did it compare to the enzo's raw power?
     
  3. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
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    #3 tfazio, Sep 17, 2007
    Great story. So were you nervous driving the car? I know you get to drive a lot of great cars but the GTO is such a rare beast.
     
  4. nthfinity

    nthfinity F1 Veteran

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    #4 nthfinity, Sep 17, 2007
    My experience says the 288 feels closer at hand to the F40 (for good reason obviously) then it does to the Enzo.... ride quality anyway... the F40 has a much stiffer clutch, and more odd position with the steering wheel.

    The Enzo is a pure RAW experience at ALL times... especially with Tubi exhaust just roaring through the cabin. Every expansion joint in the highway lets you know it is there... and the cracks and bangs reverberate through the cabin, even if the severity of the sound doesn't match the harshness doesn't transfer directly to your ass and back... it is harder then either the F40 or 288 GTO.

    The 288 you could easily live with every day. The Enzo would be a stronger person then me given the choice day in and out. But Dan can tell you more :)

    He wasn't too upset with us getting breakfast I hope... I really didn't expect the food to take so long.... looked like they had quite some catering order they were working on at that time.
     
  5. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #5 joe sackey, Sep 17, 2007
    Thanks for sharing that experience. Clearly for many the Ferrari Supercar Du Jour when it comes to aesthetics.

    I think the seats were made to fit Michele Alboreto and he wasnt a big guy. LOL. Yes, they are narrow even if youre trim and in shape!

    The clutch on the car you drove will need adjustment as there should be several inches of 'bite' to ease it away and it is then much more pleasant to operate than the F40.

    BTW, in the pic you posted you look as if you should own the car :)

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  6. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ
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    #6 Tarek K., Sep 17, 2007
    The 288 GTO is one of the most gorgeous Ferrari cars ever bulit.....a beauty.
     
  7. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    #7 kizdan, Sep 17, 2007
    I really like the sound of that!
     
  8. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

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    #8 kizdan, Sep 17, 2007
    There really is no comparison, I mean, your are talking about almost 20 years worth of advancements in engineering. One is normally aspirated, the other twin turbocharged - very different power deliveries.

    When you sit back and think that the car was built in '85, the performance is mind blowing. I mean, it feels like it can blow a TR's doors off, as well as any other car from that era. Even by today's standards, it is very fast.
     
  9. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #9 joe sackey, Sep 17, 2007
    Anytime...

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  10. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

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    #10 kizdan, Sep 17, 2007
    It's always nerve-racking to drive someone else's really expensive and really rare car, and that is why I never came close to going crazy with it. I was super cautious every inch of the way. Once on the open road, the nerves start to calm, and that's when I really started to enjoy it. I will remember the experience for the rest of my life.
     
  11. dongerdude

    dongerdude Formula 3

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    #11 dongerdude, Sep 17, 2007
    Sounds like a dream come true. Great pic too!
     
  12. SFchallenge

    SFchallenge F1 World Champ

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    #12 SFchallenge, Sep 17, 2007
    Gorgeous story, thanks for sharing with the unfortunate us ;)
     
  13. Kami

    Kami Formula Junior

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    #13 Kami, Sep 17, 2007
    Very Very Very cool!
     
  14. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 anunakki, Sep 17, 2007
    +1
     
  15. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

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    #15 Jackmb1, Sep 17, 2007
    You are so lucky to have the opportunity to drive such a great car. I wish I could.
     
  16. Aedo

    Aedo F1 Rookie

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    #16 Aedo, Sep 17, 2007
    That is the best picture I've ever seen of a 288! In its natural environment it just looks so "right" - thanks for posting!
     
  17. jorge.rios

    jorge.rios F1 World Champ
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    #17 jorge.rios, Sep 17, 2007
    +2
     
  18. nthfinity

    nthfinity F1 Veteran

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    #18 nthfinity, Sep 17, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I kinda like this one a lot.
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  19. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

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    #19 RTB, Sep 18, 2007
    In my experience the clutch does lose some of its travel if not used often.

    The clutch and brake fluid are shared, so if the brakes were good it may have been to the detriment of the clutch!
     
  20. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

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    #20 zjpj, Sep 18, 2007
    Is there turbo lag?
     
  21. Ferrari Rare Parts

    Ferrari Rare Parts Formula Junior
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    #21 Ferrari Rare Parts, Sep 18, 2007
    [
    I have driven an Enzo before, and I will say I was more excited to drive a GTO. Still my all-time favorite Ferrari!

    Great Classics! Always the Best!
    Lucky you !
     
  22. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
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    #22 kizdan, Sep 18, 2007
    Very little. When you dip into the throttle, there really is so little lag time that you don't even think about it. You are off and running almost instantly. Very addictive!
     
  23. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

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    #23 joe sackey, Sep 18, 2007
    Rick,

    Perhaps you already know that many GTOs have suffered the 'porous bell-housing' malady that causes air in the system with similar symptoms. All of this can be completely cured of course.

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  24. 4re308

    4re308 F1 Rookie
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    #24 4re308, Sep 18, 2007
    Dude, that is SUPER cool! The 288 is one of my all time faves. I was able to get several spirited laps at Roebling Road in a 288 GTO, I still have a video I made of it. WOW what a car!
     
  25. Aedo

    Aedo F1 Rookie

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    #25 Aedo, Sep 18, 2007
    Yes - that too is great! :) I love 'em in the real world!
     
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