Pirelli has produced new factory-fit tires for the 288 GTO, Ferrari’s first model in Ferrari’s supercar lineup. This completes the set of modified Pirellis for the F40, F50, and other cars. The 288 was originally equipped with Goodyear tires, but the new Pirelli tires complement the car’s rallying heritage. The F40 and the Ferrari 288GTO have very similar engines and setups, but professional drivers prefer the 288. The ’40 might be more beautiful and rare, and it takes a very good eye to tell that this isn’t a normal 308 most of the time. Pirelli has released a new range of low-profile Cinturato P7 tires made just for the 288 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. These tires are perfect for the few owners who have perfect taste. Only Ferrari’s best cars are called GTOs, and the 250GTO made them official. In this way, the 288GTO is alright, too, but cases of the latter are especially useful. There are only 272 made, so if you can find one, it will cost you more than $4 million. For people who don’t know, the 288GTO looks a lot like the Ferrari 308 that a certain mustachioed private investigator drives around Hawaii. It has a tube frame chassis, Kevlar bodywork, and a strong twin-turbocharged V-8 engine in the middle, making it more like a Magnum.357 than a Magnum P.I. You can tell it from another car if you get stuck behind one on a California canyon road because the rear engine is partly visible. The first 288 had Goodyear tires with square shoulders; these modern Pirellis have a similar background. The car was first made as a homologation special for the Group B competition. It was the most crazy and dangerous European rally racing ever. Two years after its debut in the 1974 World Rally Championship, the P7 was also made available for use on the road. These tires are from Pirelli’s Collezione line, which is made just for old Ferrari supercars. Right now, you can get P Zero road and race tires in the original sizes for the F40, F50, and Enzo. You can find 225/50R-16 tires on the front of the 288 and 265/50R-16 tires on the back. The Testarossa is a grand tourer that can be driven every day, while the 288GTO should only be used for special events. It feels a lot like eating the last bottle of hot sauce during an episode of Hot Wings, just like the F40 that came after it. Enzo personally oversaw the building of the last one, which was made just for Formula One winner Niki Lauda. This is exactly how different and unique the 288 is. While Pirelli was celebrating its 40th anniversary, the company did show off the new Cinturato P7. As part of the tour, 288GTO owners drove to Maranello through the Dolomite mountains. Those musicians must have put on the most beautiful and musically pleasing parade lap ever. It’s now easier for lucky people who own 288GTOs to drive them, thanks to Pirelli. Even though the car is very expensive, I hope they do because every minute spent driving has to be worth it.
