275 GTB vs. 288 GTO

I've been asked similar questions about XXX car vs. the 288 GTO and my answer is the same - anything but the 288 GTO. I love the styling, don't get me wrong, but....

Parts Availability - nonexistant. Do you want to drive and enjoy this car in the manner it was built for? Good luck. These cars were collector's items from day one, many sat-and-sat-and-sat as pretty lawn ornaments. This is NEVER a good thing for a high-strung, twin-turbo monster. Same goes for the F-40, but more F-40s were made and a select few were actually driven. Parts for F-40s are out there, but parts for 288 GTOs are not. You better know several OEM Italian suppliers if you want to drive this car....I've seen a 288 GTO parked at a certain factory-authorized dealership/service center for weeks and weeks over a bad fuse block. There's lots of unobtainium on these machines.

275 - a terrific car that makes terrific sounds. More of these available than 288 GTOs, and vintage parts suppliers have geared up to keep these well-loved cars on the road since the prices have spiked. A true old-school V12 thoroughbred, I wish I had one in my garage.

 

275 GTB. Nothing beats a V12 classic.

 

The 275 is a classic and a great place to put your money. But I see more of them than I do GTOs. If the objective is performance, with a premium on exclusivity, ya gotta go with the GTO.

 

I went with the 275 (with wire wheels). The GTO is a great car, but it's hard to beat a classic V12.