VIN: the Tom Williamson Jr. Ferrari 288 GTO chassis 58337
/ Ben Tyer
HISTORY OF CHASSIS 58337
Chassis 58337 was the 288 GTO supplied new to Tom Williamson Jr. in Burlington, North Carolina.
Williamson, a Ferrari Owners Club of America President, configured his car with all-black leather upholstery plus the optional electric windows and air-conditioning.
Following 58337’s completion in late 1985, Williamson and his wife departed for Maranello. In January ‘86 they collected the brand new car which had been registered on the temporary Escursionisti Esteri plate EE 196 AK.
Because in standard trim the 288 GTO was not homologated for road use in the United States, Williamson elected to head 160km north west to the Michelotto works in Padova and have chassis uprated for circuit use.
At the time, Michelotto were in the midst of developing Ferrari’s GTO Evoluzione having previously created the formidable line of 308 GTB-based Group 4 and Group B rally cars. Upon delivery, Michelotto carried out a series of modifications to 58337 that included installation of an un-silenced megaphone exhaust system, Sparco racing seats with four-point Sabelt harnesses, a fire system and battery kill switches. Michelotto also supplied several sets of Goodyear-shod wheels, some with slick tyres.
Following completion, chassis 58337 was dispatched to the US where it joined Williamson’s collection that included a Ferrari 275 GTS (chassis 6909) and a fibreglass-bodied 308 GTB (19771). The uniquely modified GTO subsequently went on to appear at Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Summit Point track days organised by the Ferrari Club of America. As the car was not registered for road use, Williamson would have the GTO transported in its own custom-built transporter.
Tom Williamson Jr. retained chassis 58337 until 2025, by which time the car had accumulated a little under 13,000km.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Tom Williamson Jr.
