FERRARI 288 GTO

Given the current wintery weather here in England, I thought I would post a couple of pictures from a sunnier day! This is 52741 which was owned between 1997 and 2005 by Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey (who, as an aside, I once bumped into in the model shop in Windsor where he was looking for a model of a 512 S to match the real one he had recently bought). Amusingly, Adrian Newey and Chris Evans were (possibly still are, not sure) neighbours who both owned 288 GTOs, although not at the same time. I wonder how many 288 GTOs have lived with different owners in the same street?

This car was involved in an accident (not the fault of the Ferrari driver) when it was in for service at Maranello's in Egham and out on a test drive in the hands of one of Maranello's technicians. It is often reported, including in this thread, that the car was heavily damaged (and also that the accident was somewhere else entirely). I have been assured that was not the case but rather a rumour subsequently spread by someone who was angry at not being involved in the car's subsequent sale when he thought he would be (I will spare this person's blushes here). This comes first hand from someone directly involved at the time. Needless to say, the car was fully repaired by Maranello's who were then the UK Importers.

Having spent time in France post Adrian Newey's ownership, 52741 is one of 40 288 GTOs currently registered in the UK, whilst more than 30 others have been UK-registered in the past.
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I understand Adrian Newey bought 52741 from Archer MacLean in November 1998.
I also understand that in Spring 1988 former owner Rod Key's dealer managed to crash the car heavily whilst on a road test on the way back from Brands Hatch. And that Foskers repaired the car. It has been described as "extensively damaged and a practical total write-off as even the engine was knocked out of of line".
I wonder what's really true? Photos?

Marcel Massini

 

Adrian Newey owned the car from 23 December 1997 to 17 December 2005 (official sources).

The dealer concerned was Maranello's and I was told it was on a test drive local to there (i.e. Egham. which is 50 miles or so from Brands Hatch) . In fact, the reason I enquired about it at all was because it didn't seem likely to me that a fairly new 288 GTO would be entrusted to an independent rather than a franchised dealer. (As an aside, Foskers is actually at Brands Hatch, adjacent to the paddock area, as I'm sure you know, but for the benefit of those who don't). I don't have photos and don't know if there are any. As far as I recall the exact words used to describe the damage to me were "not that bad really". I didn't probe any further, given, as mentioned, that it was also stated that a particular dealer had maliciously exaggerated the damage. I was also told it was not the fault of the Maranello's employee driving the car, which presumably means it was the insurer of the other vehicle involved that paid out, no doubt to their delight!

 

Thanks for clarification and additional details. Hopefully one day pix will turn up. Yes, I know Fiskens as well as Brands Hatch, of course (one of my all-time favorite tracks).
The 288 did not sell at the 17 December 2005 auction in Gstaad, Switzerland (Bonhams). It was sold post auction to France and then later to Switzerland before it went to the UK.

Marcel Massini

 

You meant Foskers rather than Fiskens in this content although I know you know them both

You're quite right. My apologies, I copied the wrong date. Newey: 23/12/1997 to 30/03/2006 (officially). Back to the UK 26/10/2010.

 

Sure, yes, another senior moment, sorry. Foskers it is.
Thanks for the correction.

Marcel Massini

 

These pictures are being uploaded tonight (7pm UK time) as we speak on Instagram. I thought it would be interestingto share them on here. Brunei cars .
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Great pictures the GTO is just incredible.

 

Are these new photos? I haven't kept up on the Brunei collection...

 

Old

 

From 2001

 

Highway GTO seen by lellofranco on Reddit.

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57491.

Marcel Massini

 

I meant if the leak was recent, and the answer is here:

 

Many more Brunei photos will follow, including 288 GTO's...

 

Speaking of old I think this picture was perhaps shown before. This Hollywood Sport Cars example has one interesting detail...

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58335.

Marcel Massini

 

Here being pulled apart at Forza Service. Exported in 2022.
288 GTO Technische restauratie - Forza Service

 

Is this car still at Juha?

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Was in a big crash July 1985.

Marcel Massini

 

My video of the GTO Legacy Tour can be found here:

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2004, in the Modena suburbs.

Marcel Massini

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Ferrari of Central Florida recently listed #54789 with a claimed 940 miles. No photos yet.

https://www.ferraricf.com/inventory/used-1984-ferrari-288-gto-zffpa168b00054789/

 

I simply can not think of a single vehicle on the face of the earth I'd rather have more than a 288 GTO!

I can't even dream of what it'd be like to be able to buy one.

 

New in Germany, three owners in Germany, the last one stored it for more than twentytwo years and never drove it. Car still has the mesh grilles in the air intakes, a German TüV requirement at the time. Ansa trumpet exhausts have been replaced. When I inspected it on the 22 February 2021 in Cologne, Germany, 54789 was in need of a complete mechanical overhaul, spare wheel was missing, a waterleak was noted, had stains in the interior due to storage in a rather humid environment, very old tires. Odometer showed 1'470 kms at the time.

Marcel Massini