Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 288 GTO Vs 959

[LS (lashdeep]

Gates' 959 wasn't sitting around the entire time it was at Customs...there were some late night top speed runs in the area near its storage according to sources close to the "situation".

 

LS

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From: Hans E. Hansen <FList [at] hanshansen.org>
To: LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com>
Cc: The FerrariList <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Fri, October 8, 2010 10:38:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] 288 GTO Vs 959

RE: American spec 288.  Not true that none were US spec.  The Portland

F-dealer, Ron Tonkin, is a friend of mine.  His car was most definitely

not grey market.

Hans.

On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 11:14 AM, Doug and Terri Anderson <dnt [at] dock.net> wrote:

>>Larry shares "Video 1 is for the 959 and 2 (obviously) is for the GTO.

>>http://newsletter.evo.co.uk/c/1a59kobZYgzLQEATu2N

Thanks Larry - interesting.
I imagine the spark plugs are reached thru the hatch behind the seats - same
one used for belt access.  The 288 was a completely different motor and not
related to the 308 F106 - at all.

The Porsche 959 (also a twin turbo, all wheel test bed) was not allowed into
the US.  No, nein, nyet, no, uh-uh.  Only a few found themselves in the US
before DOT and EPA slammed the door - even Bill Gates' purchase sat in
guarded warehouse on the docks awaiting certification.  For years.  Like Mr.
Gates purchase, most sat on the dock waiting for approval which didn't come
until recently or were returned to Europe, where they were welcomed.  I
believe Vasek Polak, owner of many many Porsche race cars and of course the
famous Vaske Polak Porsche dealership in Hermosa Beach, sustained critical
injuries driving a 959 on the German Autobahn in 1997.  He subsequently died
while transporting him back to his home in California.

I had an opportunity to judge Otis Chandler's (owner of the L.A. Times) 959
in a concours.  EPA made him sign an agreement that if the car left the
building, he had get their permission - FOR anything.  Or return the car to
EPA.  Otis complied religiously.  His red 959 was on display in his "museum"
in Oxnard California right up to the end and was auctioned off after Otis
passed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Vintage_Museum_of_Transportation_and_Wildlife

Subsequently, the EPA laws re the 959 relaxed enough which allowed, Bruce
Canepa Design in Santa Cruz, California, to make the necessary emission
changes.  Now, for a little stack of $100 bills, about yeah high, the cars
are for sale again.  Bruce has a fan club based on real life adventures.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276209

As for the 288 GTO - Amerispec, back East, did a right nice job of
compliance changes very early on as NO 288 was made for US delivery.  Some
how it was 288 GTO - yes; Porsche 959 - no, in those days.

I am reminded of an article by a then Ferrari F1 driver, forget who, who had
purchased (was given? but doubt it - try to get a scarf from Enzo in those
days) and said he had to finally sell it - why?  Too powerful
(unpredictable) and the *%*% parts are too expensive to keep it running.

Alas - the 288 is quite nice looking.  BUT, if we are getting the "is THAT a
real Ferrari" question with the 308's, the poor old 288 would barely pass as
a weird 308 GTB with funny looking rear view mirrors to most of the hoi
poli.

Still - the 288 GTO is voted as an investment Ferrari and is darn good
looking to boot.

Onward
DOUG

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