FERRARI 288 GTO

Unfortunately not Christian. Tied up and travelling for the next couple of weeks. Would have loved to be in Valencia again. Hopefully next year. Have fun and take a lot of pics

Cheers,

M

 

For sale in Germany:

http://www.scuderia-auto-neuser.de/joomla/index.php?option=com_rdautos&view=detail&id=26&Itemid=61&lang=de

Gr. Martin

 

Looks like Lord Mexborough's GTO is sold
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I asked if the number plate was for sale separately, but unfortunately it wasn't

 

I think there is some significance to the "unlucky 13" number...

 

That sucks about the delay, I was really hoping to buy one for Christmas. When it comes to licensing I think Ferrari should ease off on the hard ball money grab play. AFAIK, there's not a lot of money in publishing or model making. Ferrari, are you listening? Back off a little.

-F

 

Ok M, must to see with Mr Emilio Botin for the réservation of the traci in 2013.
It Will be à blessure to sens you some pics.
Best

 

Publishing books is a dying vocation, and its not just because of the internet!

 

A compelling subject (288 GTO) covered thoroughly (history of the development, details of the model, comprehensive registry) would do well even with the internet.

Ferrari is just being stupid choking off this kind of thing. It serves very little purpose, I just think they are being illogical. Surprise, surprise, Ferrari being illogical.

I sincerely hope the book sees the light of day.

-F

 

I think it will. Ferrari sees it as proper licensing of the use of property (in this case the illustrations as produced for the owner's manual), but as AndrewDinCH so kindly researched and pointed out, that material is already out in the public domain and was used in a previous book unlicensed so an established precedent exits. Of course I have forwarded this to my publisher.

 

I really think this car could be re-issued today and people would think it was a current model.

 

I've said it once, I'll say it again. I think the 288 GTO and the Miura are the best looking post war sports cars built. I'm sure Joe would agree.

-F

 

Andrew, thanks for the photos. While it may be hard to imagine in this world of people getting all twisted up in their knickers over (claimed) 300 mile original cars that still have Maranello dust bunnies under the seats, but some cars actually get driven. It's much more fun to blow the cob-webs out than to vacuum them out.

Steve

 

I clearly have to visit Ferrari Chat more often.

Steve

 

I haven't driven the 288 GTO a lot in the past handful of years, but an opportunity presented itself I decided to take advantage of. The Ferrari Club of America was having their annual meet in Palm Springs, California and theme was the "GTOs" (250, 288, 599). I decided at the last minute to go to event. My original plan was to fly down, rent a car, etc. Boring, I know. I was in Italy in the prior week. But, it turns out they couldn't find a 288 GTO to attend the event (weird, I now, it's California after all). You can see where this is heading. I come back a couple of days before the event. I agree to bring the car. I made some lack-luster attempt to find someone to transport the car to Palm Springs and couldn't find anyone. What's a boy to do? Yup, I got up early Wednesday morning, drove to the warehouse, hopped in the GTO and....Thunderstorm. I drove the first hour or so (of 550 - 600 miles) in off and on rain with thunderstorms. Luckily, the hail was behind me. I received phone calls from my wife who told me about the quarter size hail that came down about 15 minutes after I would have passed through the Morgan Hill/Gilroy area. That would have ruined my whole day. All in all, it was an uneventual 8 - 9 hour drive (with the required stops at In-N-Out burger, McDonalds and Burger King along the way). The car made it to Palm Springs on one tank of gas by the way. Prius owners can suck my exhaust pipe. I drove around the Palm Springs area and out to the track during the event. Then drove the GTO home. It was comfortable and the car never missed a beat. I wasn't beat up at the end of either long day in the saddle. But, maybe that was because of the In-N-Out Burger stops. They really are terrific cars.

 

What a great story! Thanks for sharing that with us and kudos to you for driving an exceptional car on an extended road trip so they'd have one at the event! I don't suppose you have pictures of your car with the others to share?

 

That made me smile.

 

What a great Post, you sound like the perfect GTO Owner, enjoy your car in the best of health.

 

... and for kind owners to share their driving with the Tifosi, much appreciated!
Thank you.

It was pretty humorous to hear you be so laid back until it came to the topic of rock chips on the air dam where I suggested you use Clear Bra; you emphatically retorting "No-Way, I'll repaint it even if it is with the new water based formulation that is tedious to match"

Forza SH
Palm Springs video
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJqj0vqt4QQ[/ame]

Photos from 2009 Monterey at St. Julian Vineyards,
and then at the track at the 2010 Monterey weekend, with my Euro Dino #05082 in the rear left
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Steve's driving shows that GTOs are strong little cars. There are in fact several GTOs with a mileage in excess of 75,000, and at least one I know of with a mileage in excess of 100,000. One person bought a GTO new and drove it to work every day for the first 15 years or so. That car has over 80,000 miles now.
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Joe, have you heard that Tom Hartley has recently acquired the very first production GTO and will be offering it for sale soon? According to Tom Hartley Jr, it's been with a "very well known Ferrari collector" from new.

 

Ron Tonkin?

 

I have heard, and knowing Tom, the price tag will be very special!

 

You are thinking of chassis number 58345, which is the LAST production 288 GTO, as awarded to Ron Tonkin by Enzo Ferrari himself. Still owned by the Tonkin family, and likely always will.
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Hopefully the Tonkin family will enjoy that very special car for many more generations to come.