Mr Rodhe (or Rohde I have to check) was the owner, but I remember that the Ferrari dealer in Hamburg was "Rothe Automobile", so may be this is why you had this in your list ..
Wow thanks for sharing that Marcel (& thanks for the gracious supply of my own car's images from that era)! That is Christian Clerico's French-based 288 GTO chassis number 53779 registered at the time as 211 FGX 75. I love his Range Rover "tire-transporter" and the lovely period action image of them changing to slicks (or vice versa). If I am not mistaken, today this car is owned by a Dutchman. In fact, The Flying Dutchman
Saw my first 288 GTO today. Lines, proportions, sound, color (red)...I have to say it satisfied all my inner senses of proportions. Masculine stance with femine curves. Brawn of bulk for the wheels, the sweeping scoop of the air intake. Ying and Yang. A truly stunning car. I now have my favorite f-car hands down. Just looking under the boot. The twin turbo set-up feeding that V8. I was really surprised at how far forward they set the engine. Lots of empty space back there. The bump out between the seats for the hose routing on the engine. I didn't quite get my head around the blowoff valve setup. I just stood there trying to soak it all in. The big problem? My camera was home charging for the race tomorrow. Ugh. Looking forward to a 2nd chance to snap a few pics.
I know how you feel and I remember my first sighting like it was yesterday back in '84, I've never been the same.
Wow. Nice post! Clearly you are someone who appreciates the 288 GTO. I agree with you: you actually have to encounter one in all its composite glory to appreciate its proportions. Because it is such a subtly sublime shape, images do not do it justice! The first time I encountered a 288 GTO, my reaction was the same as Sean Connery's in "Goldfinger" when Honore Blackman tells him what her name is. "I must be dreaming". Indeed...
Saw my first 288 25 years ago at the Paris motor show. It was a life-chaging experience. I never lusted after anything that long and counting.
Thanks...now maybe I can wish for a ride around the block in the near future. One can always have hope, right?
Awesome stuff. It is an absolutely incredible car and by far one of my favorite. My favorite to this day is the 512 TR Testarossa. I loved it when I first saw it in Road and Track and when I saw it in the flesh for the first time I was blown away (I was 13). I lived in Southern California for almost 10 years (just moved away a couple of years ago) and saw about 20 288 GTOs. Only saw one on the road and I was driving and almost got into a wreck. LOL. Thank God for ABS. Sacralige or not, eventually I will get one but I am going to repaint it (Oh I can hear the evil spells against me now, LOL). I will repaint it Fly Yellow with black boxer trim and will have tinted windows. To me that is the ultimate for that car. It will be a while though because my first Ferrari will be a 360CS and then a classic convertible Ferrari of some sort, or possibly an F50. First thing is first though. Take care and nice post. I love seeing the passion others have for Ferraris. I was touched at a young age by them and it never leaves you. Some get you more than others but even a "lowly" Mondial still excites me.
If I owned a 288GTO it's mileage would be double if not triple of that number no joking intended either.
