488 vs 288

Growing up in Atlanta my neighbor had a blue Euro 84 Mondial QV cab. His friend had the latest greatest F, and I couldn't believe it when I saw a 288 GTO w.that yellow FAF (the local dealer) tag roll past on its way to my neighbor's. Still have the photos of us w.our BMX bikes next to that car. Saw it a few more times, never the privilege of riding in it though.

Didn't seem like long after, the 288 owner showed up in a Testarossa, which was on the first to be Straman-ized. Car & Driver, I think it was, did a piece on his car. I took a ton of photos of that convertible Testarossa when he came to my neighbor's post-surgery. Looked a ton better top down.

 

The only Ferrari I would prefer owning to a 288 GTO MIGHT be a 250 GTO

And actually, a 250 GTO is essentially a useless car on modern roads/traffic; it's strictly a collector car. There's no way it could be routinely driven on the street. But it would be fun to load up some 2x4s at home depot and have them sticking out the window. But it's much easier in a 328GTS - just take the top off and there's plenty of room.

Yes, I'v done it on several occasions.

 

And of course there comes to affording a 250 GTO. Even the insurance would bankrupt me.

Seriously? 2 X 4s in the 328? And I thought a Costco run in the 328 was cool...

 

Yep, 6 8ft 2x4's, a bucket of flooring adhesive, a gallon of Muriatic acid, a set of zincs for the boat, a 12 pack of Amstel light and a box of KFC! The only thing that could have topped it off would have been if I had been heading for a trailer park instead of the marina!

OTOH, as I have often responded when people ask, "what's it like living on a boat in the marina?" I reply, "It's like living in trailer park but with a lower class of people!"

(apologies to marina and trailer park dwellers)

 

....A 12 pack and KFC... LOL! Says it all brother!

 

A 80's turbocharged race car, must have some lag. They must run pretty rich to keep the engine from detonating to get that much flames? Turbos usually don't sound as good as NA cars, would love to hear one in person.

 

we sometimes see a genuine 250 SWB being driven around London. Sounds and looks outstanding !

 

Well, its not a race car and it does not run any more rich than a US 328.

 

Strongly disagree with all of the above.

 

Sorry, But I disagree completely. There are several of us with highly tuned turbo 308 (that make a lot more power than a 288) and they seem to last.
I do love the 288 styling.

 

correct. It's just a three liter twin turbocharged sport car. Specific power is 140,3 Hp per liter. The single turbo 208 turbo intercooler had 127,8 Hp per liter and could do 70+ k miles (110000 km) without opening the engine.

The 288 GTO was a race car just in the price.

It's a famous car, but not a race car at all.

It had to be the base for a race car, but it never happened.

ciao

 

Actually the 488 is looking really nice, a cool car.

I prefer the 288 though.

-F

 

And how does that make it the equal of the 288? The 288 has a lower CG, it is lighter with a stiffer chassis, has bigger brakes and bigger wheels and tires. In the real world it will drive circles around a modified 308.

 

It was 2.8 liters actually but close enough. When they were new they cost less than a TR so no, it did not have a race car price either. It was the market that caused the crazy prices. The Ferrari price was quite reasonable. The motors can last a long time too.

 

Yes: 2.85 liters and 400 hp means 140.3 hp per liter, those are the numbers.

I think here many compare the 488 GTB to the 288 GTO as they think the 288 GTO was the first Ferrari turbocharged road car.

It's wrong: the 288 GTO was the THIRD (and all V8) turbocharged model produced by Ferrari, as the 288 GTO came out in 1984 (VIN starting from 52465).

In 1982 Ferrari already introduced the 208 GTB turbo (first turbocharged Ferrari ever) and in 1983 they introduced the 208 GTS turbo (first turbocharged open Ferrari ever).

272 cars of 288 GTO model were produced, all red.
250 cars of 208 GTS turbo were produced (in all colors)
437 cars of 208 GTB turbo were produced (in all colors)

208 turbo and 288 GTO share the same stroke (71 mm) and share the same crankshaft too, Ferrari Part Number 105623 (it's the 308 GT4 crankshaft too!): so the 288 GTO is not a race car as no race car can have the 308 GT4 standard crankshaft...

Here below you see the first and second turbocharged Ferrari road cars ever: the 208 GTB turbo and 208 GTS turbo. Both are rarer and older (VIN 45069 and 48913 versus the 52465 of the first 288 VIN) than any red 288 GTO and they actually cost 20+ times less than a 288 GTO...

Coming back to the topic, I prefer a 288 GTO rather than a 488 GTB, and this not for the value: the 288 GTO looks much better than the 488 as the 288 looks like a 308, a fantastic looking car and one of the best looking Ferrari ever

ciao
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I agree. When Concorso Italiano had the 288 reunion there were a bunch lined up and a 308 nearby. I always liked the 288, but that day I decided that in person the 308 looks better than the 288. The bulges and flares just don't look elegant.

Less-better looks are a small price to pay for a what everyone says is an amazing car. I'd make the trade.

I do love the double lights under the bumper. That's the one 288 styling part I'm in love with.

 

I don't want to say a 288 is a bad looking car, of course: it's a fantastic Ferrari and by far better looking than any actual Ferrari (IMHO). But the perfect and pure shape of a 308 is better.
This said, I still have to see a so good looking Ferrari like the 2/3x8 was (and that famiy includes the 288, of course)

ciao