1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

After hearing rumors for years of the Michelotto prepared Ferrari 288 GTO, we never imagined this automotive love story could be so special. 

Hidden away in a quaint town in North Carolina , stored inside its custom built matching truck and trailer, we had the honor of discovering 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Chassis #58337. 

Its first and only owner, Mr. Williamson, would arrive at the factory gates in Maranello in 1986 to pick up his brand new GTO. 

Williamson and his first wife would drive 92 miles to Padova, on Italian tourist license plates EE 196 AK. As the GTO was never produced as a US legal car, while in Padova, Williamson commissioned the engineering genius of Giulianno Michelotto to convert the new Supercar to “racing” configuration. The same outfit who developed the 288 GTO and eventually the F40.

Williamson would keep the original wheels, tires, seats, insurance paperwork, tourist plate and even the hotel receipt. 

Besides a few national Ferrari meets and some local car shows, the GTO was rarely seen. Williamson would never officially race the GTO. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Williamson and his GTO were seen at Ferrari Club of America events at Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Summit Point. 

Never restored, never registered, wearing its first paint and a time capsule leather and cloth interior. It was started once a month and serviced yearly. Showing just over 12,000 carefully documented and loved kilometers. 

The GTO would live with Williamson for 40 years. Williamson was the President of the regional Ferrari club, wore ostrich leather boots with a Cavallino horse, wrote checks with the same prancing horse logo. His world revolved around Ferrari, and his love for his Michelotto GTO racer.

An unparalleled example of the rarest Ferrari Supercar, that became a Michelotto masterpiece.