09/10/2025
The beginning of an Era, the first Ferrari Supercar, the 288 GTO.
The Ferrari 288 GTO was born from Ferrari’s ambition to dominate FIA Group B Racing — a wild, unrestricted era of motorsport. On March 1, 1984, Ferrari submitted its homologation application, committing to build at least 200 road cars required by the FIA to go racing. By June 1, 1985, the GTO was officially approved.
The GTO blurred the line between road and race. But before it could compete, Group B was canceled, leaving Ferrari with a car conceived for competition — but destined for legend.
That makes chassis #58337 even more extraordinary. Delivered new in 1986 to its first and only owner, Mr. Williamson, the car was collected in Maranello and driven straight to Padova, where Williamson entrusted it to Giuliano Michelotto - the engineering mastermind behind Ferrari’s rally program, the 288 GTO and GTO Evoluzione, and the F40. Michelotto converted the GTO to “Competizione ” specification, making it one of the only known examples prepared by the famed workshop.
Despite its purpose, #58337 was never officially raced. Stored carefully in North Carolina for nearly 40 years, it remains remarkably original — wearing its first paint, untouched leather-and-cloth interior, and showing just 12,875 km from new. It retains its original wheels, tires, tourist plates, insurance paperwork, and even the 1986 hotel receipt from delivery.
Cherished by Williamson, a former Ferrari Club of America President, this GTO attended select Ferrari events in the late ’80s and early ’90s but was otherwise preserved as a time capsule.
Today, #58337 stands as one of the most significant 288 GTOs in existence — a rare Michelotto-prepared masterpiece and a living reminder of Ferrari’s Group B ambitions that never came to be.
📸:
