One to Buy: ex-Emilio Gnutti / Ian Poulter 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
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Somewhat ironically, perhaps the most sought after vehicle to emerge from the spectacular Group B era of 1982 to 1986 was a machine that never turned a wheel in anger: the Ferrari 288 GTO.
Conceived for circuit racing where it was expected to go head-to-head with Porsche’s 959, Ferrari ultimately decided not to embark on a competition programme with their sensational new limited production flagship and instead used the GTO Evoluzione that emerged as the basis for a second generation flagship: the F40.
Despite having been priced way above anything else Ferrari had to offer at the time, the 288 GTO proved such a hit that 272 were eventually completed even though Group B regulations only required a run of 200 units.
Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Dare to Dream auction in Toronto on June 1st is a GTO that was retained by its first owner for 26 years: chassis 52465.
Originally supplied to noted Ferrari collector, Emilio Gnutti, 52465 was one of two GTOs delivered to the renowned Italian industrialist (the other having been chassis 52741 which he kept for just three years in comparison).
Configured in Rosso Corsa with black leather upholstery, electric windows and air-conditioning, this superb GTO was eventually sold in 2011, at which point it departed for the collection of British golfer, Ian Poulter.
Today, this expertly prepared number matching machine is offered in outstanding condition with Ferrari Classiche certification and just 26,600km from new.
