Why is there such little discussion of the 288GTO here?

Are you being ironic? There is a 288 thread with nearly 7,000 posts!

 

I think Traveller's right and the "big" 288 thread serves as a kind of catch-all for most topics... That thread has the second most replies in this section (by a large margin). For whatever reason, many topics discussed in that thread that would usually be cause for a separate thread (like the claimed "first" 288 just sold by Tom Hartley) get stuffed into the same place.

As you mentioned, it's the rarest of the supercars, which will have something to do with it. I also think of FChat as being fairly US-centric and IIRC, there are only a handful of cars on this side of the pond...

None of these are the reason, but I think they're all contributing factors...

 

I too think there is a LOT of 288 GTO discussion.

There are a couple different threads right now that discuss the model, and the big one I started is popular, quite frankly, because I think its convenient to go there and check out the latest or add info. I guess its become like a sticky, a total resource for the model.

Its a real hassle searching for an obscure thread lost in cyberspace from 5 years ago that lasted 6 posts, as opposed to going to the big thread and simply trawling through there.

The other issue is that the GTO is quite rare and an acquired taste (somewhat like the F50), unlike the F40 & Enzo which are massively popular so everyone talks about them.

Either way.

If people want more 288 GTO threads somebody's got to start them!!

 

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164148

Subscribe to this thread and you will only be 5-10% out of the loop, welcome to the club amigo! LOL

 

I'll have a really good GTO thread coming soon!

 

Ya big tease!!!

TheMayor,
No disrespect was intended in my previous post and I'm certain you are fully aware of that thread. I do agree with you though as I could talk about the 288GTO all day long.

 

Ok, here's a (probably very boring to others) video of my first ride in my 288, with Bob Houghton at the wheel. I was lucky enough to be at the shop when they were road testing it after a cambelt service:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2n1M07_TLM&sns=em[/ame]

 

Not boring at all and timing is everything.

 

It's for the same reason as the F50. They are more rare than the F40/Enzo so there are less for sale, less spotting, less owners etc.

And the GTO Thread might be the place people will share their GTO related news.

 

Thank you for sharing this!

I must say, as a GTO driver Bob does have a steady hand (& foot)! Not to mention being a polite driver. Flying a bit there towards the end!!

I think being a passenger besides someone very familiar with a 288 GTO is probably the best initiation in this car because you are able to see what the car can do, how it feels when driven right, and appreciate its performance potential.

It really is an awesome driving machine, with one of the best suspension ride feelings of any car I have ever sat in - and that's saying a lot!

When you first begin driving it yourself there will be a learning curve to pass through, and the car will get better & better for you each time you drive it. Always remember the turbos come on at a different ratio relative to revs, and remember to cool the car (let it idle @ standstill) for at least a minute, preferably two, after a blast.

I think you are fortunate to have him take care of the car because he has so much experience with these, he really has a cottage industry for them well underway.

Enjoy!! So good to see that 58137 has found a great home in the UK. This really is an international car that could follow you and live in any country you decide to reside in. Of note to viewers: this is one of the last 288 GTOs built, with a rare 58xxx chassis number.

 

Please do!

 

With only 2xx GTOs ever built, they tend to be more museum/show pieces rather than track cars and they weren't tested by magazines nearly as much as the others when new and certainly not raced like the F40 was. They are almost too rare to be enjoyed at speed, which is sad. I personally think of them as the most beautiful Ferrari of all time. The mechanical aspects were perfected with the F40, but when it comes to beauty, nothing stops me dead in my tracks like the 288!

 

I don't think so.

 

It seems that most owners treat them this way, unlike the F40.

 

A similar percentage of GTO owners really drive their cars relative to F40 owners. A similar number of F40s are "show pieces". GTOs are just rarer, not less used.