Ferrari 288 GTO in 1:18 Scale by Amalgam
This is a fine high end resin model with gorgeous paint and finish and a detailed interior.
Common lore says the Ferrari 288 GTO, officially named just GTO, was developed in the 1980s to race in the World Rally Championship, which had recently announced the acceptance of the FIAs Group B category of cars. But according to Ferrari engineer and father of the 288 GTO, Nicola Materazzi, the project predated Group B regulations. The GTO, he said, was born out of Enzo Ferraris concern that his road cars had lost their edge so much so that cars which were fractions of Ferraris could beat them.
The GTO moniker, short for the Italian phrase Gran Turismo Omologatogrand touring homologation in Englishhad only been bestowed on one other car in Ferraris history up to this point: the legendary 250 GTO of the mid 1960s. The title didnt come easily.
But no one would accuse the GTO of being soft. A 2.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 sent 400 hp to the rear wheels, and the whole car only weighed a skosh over 2500 pounds. It was quick, even by modern standards; a 1984 Road & Track road test showed that 0-60 mph took just five seconds, and the quarter-mile was over in 14.1 seconds, crossing the line at 113 mph.
Despite its passing resemblance to a Ferrari 308, the GTO was longer and widera different car, almost entirely. The Pininfarina-designed body was formed by old-school methods; designers took their preliminary sketches straight to the workshop, dispensing with then-nascent computer aided design. Flared fenders, spoilers, and multiple air intakes front and rear gave the car a much more aggressive stance.
When the GTO debuted in February at the 1984 Geneva Auto Show, the frenetic response from media, gawkers, and hopeful buyers clearly signaled one thing: Ferrari was back. Originally, just 200 examples were to be built in accordance with FIA Group B homologation rules. One potential buyer wanted a GTO so badly that he paid 20,000 Swiss francs for a document attesting that he would buy number 201 if it was built.
He was in luck. Ultimately, Ferrari turned out a total of 272 GTOs. Still, dealerships would get no more than one exampleand would have to handpick a customer to be approved by Ferrari. Most went for well over their asking price. Today, thatd be a bargain, as the 288 GTO, just like its 1960s predecessor, is now prized on the collector market.
ABOUT THE MODEL
Every Amalgam 1:18 scale model is supplied in a luxury black box with a protective outer carrying sleeve. Each model is mounted on a polished black acrylic base protected by a clear acrylic dust cover. The base holds a booklet containing the certificate of authenticity along with information and collateral material about the car. The model title and original branding is displayed on a polished stainless steel plaque mounted at the front end of the base.