Reacting to falling road car sales during the early 1980s, Enzo Ferrari decided that the company’s road cars had diverged too far from its competition roots.

Ferrari grasped an opportunity to reintroduce the use of state-of-the-art technology in the development and production of a flagship supercar; as Chief Engineer, Nicola Materazzi, commented, “this model truly meant the rebirth of the ‘real’ Ferrari”.

The resurrection of the “GTO” designation, a legend created by the all-conquering success of the 250 GTO, was a statement of Ferrari’s intent.

Its two-time championship-winning 126C Formula 1 car provided perfect inspiration for a V-8 turbocharged powertrain, while the proven 308 steel-tubed chassis would be developed beyond recognition and clothed in the competition-derived, carbon-fibre and Kevlar composite bodywork.

The 288 GTO is arguably one of Pininfarina’s greatest designs; a perfect blend of aggression, beauty, and respect for Ferrari’s history.The only non-functional vent...