My new 288 GTO
Aug 5, 2012 | 04:42 PM
#38
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 195
Thanks. We're not expecting any issues. It already has an MPH speedo, and the longer US rear bumpers that will be replaced, but otherwise it is totally standard. Fingers crossed however!
Aug 5, 2012 | 04:47 PM
#40
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 195
Thanks again everybody for your kind observations. I'll post some more pics etc in due course. Here's a cut/paste of some impressions the first time I sat in it:
"It feels different to a new car, as well as the obvious, there is something because it is the best part of 30 years old and goes back to Enzo's days. Whether it is the period aroma inside or what, but it is simply a very evocative experience squeezing into those very narrow daytonas and familiarising yourself with the cabin. The materials are of their era too, from the smooth fuzzy felt style alcantara on the dash to the toggles and sliders of the switchgear, to that funny lever with the H gate next to your right leg that has a dog leg first gear. I swear the pedals felt slightly offset too. The "Ferrari GTO" logo on the door speakers and the Blaupunkt Dearborn head unit with a slot for a tape and an FM/AM radio probably won't get used much, though I think I will look for my old TDK's later. The steering wheel is tiny, a simple momo with a yellow Ferrari badge in the centre. No idea if there is a horn. A little recessed cubby hole in the dash to the left of the steering wheel looks somewhat impractical, under any kind of acceleration it will deposit it's contents on the floor. The little panel conveniently to your right arm between the seats comprises an eclectic and period collection of toggle and slider switches and the buttons for the electric windows, very mod con. There are three dials in the centre console above the stereo, angled slightly towards the driver and providing just the information you need. I can see a boost gauge in front of me. Not sure why I can also see two orange warning lights with fan logos on them. The aircon vents look a little ineffectual, will have to see how asthmatic it is. And by my left side between the driver seat and the door sill is a black fire extinguisher with a Ferrari logo, hmmm will need to see how long ago that was checked. If you look up the ceiling is covered in a light coloured perforated material that is smooth to the touch. Behind the seats the shelf at shoulder level is smooth and fuzzy to the touch with that same period alcantara material, and the rear window which curves away from you at either end affords a great view of the vents of the engine bay and the lovely curve of the rump.
To start you turn the key and then press an anonymous rubber covered starter button. The starter whirrs and the engine fires up, deep and throaty. Idle a little lumpy as the car has been relatively unused. The music with the standard exhausts is lovely but I'm probably going to get some megaphonos, the proper black anodised ones, have the contact details of the guys in Italy who made them originally. Now the slightly nervous engagement of first, remember to slot the lever all the way left and down. Aware people are watching me, this is the first time I've driven this car or any 288 GTO, and it is on a slight slope. Sure enough I roll back. Doh. Handbrake on, more power, off we go. Need to turn, Christ this steering is heavy at 5mph. Time has made me forget what non assisted steering is like at low speed. Now I need to find reverse. Left to the left and try to push it forward. Why won't it go? Ah, need to push it down. Reverse, all the while aware and adjusting to a new set of spatial dimensions, don't want to crash it into my 599
And so I drove it around the compound for a while and we took some photos (thanks mr p!). But then we had to go, and I'm itching to get the import process completed and drive it properly, to feel it come alive, to get it on boost, and to connect properly with an era when I was just leaving school.
To be continued"
"It feels different to a new car, as well as the obvious, there is something because it is the best part of 30 years old and goes back to Enzo's days. Whether it is the period aroma inside or what, but it is simply a very evocative experience squeezing into those very narrow daytonas and familiarising yourself with the cabin. The materials are of their era too, from the smooth fuzzy felt style alcantara on the dash to the toggles and sliders of the switchgear, to that funny lever with the H gate next to your right leg that has a dog leg first gear. I swear the pedals felt slightly offset too. The "Ferrari GTO" logo on the door speakers and the Blaupunkt Dearborn head unit with a slot for a tape and an FM/AM radio probably won't get used much, though I think I will look for my old TDK's later. The steering wheel is tiny, a simple momo with a yellow Ferrari badge in the centre. No idea if there is a horn. A little recessed cubby hole in the dash to the left of the steering wheel looks somewhat impractical, under any kind of acceleration it will deposit it's contents on the floor. The little panel conveniently to your right arm between the seats comprises an eclectic and period collection of toggle and slider switches and the buttons for the electric windows, very mod con. There are three dials in the centre console above the stereo, angled slightly towards the driver and providing just the information you need. I can see a boost gauge in front of me. Not sure why I can also see two orange warning lights with fan logos on them. The aircon vents look a little ineffectual, will have to see how asthmatic it is. And by my left side between the driver seat and the door sill is a black fire extinguisher with a Ferrari logo, hmmm will need to see how long ago that was checked. If you look up the ceiling is covered in a light coloured perforated material that is smooth to the touch. Behind the seats the shelf at shoulder level is smooth and fuzzy to the touch with that same period alcantara material, and the rear window which curves away from you at either end affords a great view of the vents of the engine bay and the lovely curve of the rump.
To start you turn the key and then press an anonymous rubber covered starter button. The starter whirrs and the engine fires up, deep and throaty. Idle a little lumpy as the car has been relatively unused. The music with the standard exhausts is lovely but I'm probably going to get some megaphonos, the proper black anodised ones, have the contact details of the guys in Italy who made them originally. Now the slightly nervous engagement of first, remember to slot the lever all the way left and down. Aware people are watching me, this is the first time I've driven this car or any 288 GTO, and it is on a slight slope. Sure enough I roll back. Doh. Handbrake on, more power, off we go. Need to turn, Christ this steering is heavy at 5mph. Time has made me forget what non assisted steering is like at low speed. Now I need to find reverse. Left to the left and try to push it forward. Why won't it go? Ah, need to push it down. Reverse, all the while aware and adjusting to a new set of spatial dimensions, don't want to crash it into my 599
And so I drove it around the compound for a while and we took some photos (thanks mr p!). But then we had to go, and I'm itching to get the import process completed and drive it properly, to feel it come alive, to get it on boost, and to connect properly with an era when I was just leaving school.
To be continued"