GTO stands for Grand Turismo Omologato, an acronym reserved for road cars primarily designed to race. Until now, Ferrari had made two such eponymous models. The first, the 250
GTO of 1962, is worth millions. "You'd be unlucky to do more than £100,000 worth of damage to it," said
GTO owner and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason laconically, handing over the keys. I was so nervous about damaging it that when I saw a car coming the other way I stopped and parked. The second
GTO I drove was grand prix driver Eddie Irvine's 288
GTO, and the alligator snap of the sliding rear tyres as the IHI turbos chimed in and out mid‑corner is a drive I will never forget.
Right now, sitting in the third and latest
GTO, my heart is beating eight to the bar. It's one of just
Ferrari 599 models that will be built (they are all sold) and I'm about to drive out onto Ferrari's Fiorano track, an unforgiving circuit where even the crash barriers look hungry. The
GTO is the road-going version of the incredible
Ferrari 599XX, the most effective device yet dreamt up to separate a rich man from the contents of his wallet.
Ferrari 599 GTO Pictures
Ferrari 599 GTO Pictures
Ferrari 599 GTO Pictures
Ferrari 599 GTO Pictures
