Foskers Restoration Projects

Total restoration of iconic Ferrari

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Whilst admiring a 288 GTO and enjoying an ice cream with Ian at a FOC event a client was regretting the day he sold his 288 GTO that he had from new.

A few weeks later back at the workshop a car had been found and was being unloaded. The client was very specific in that this car had to be perfect and as new. Following an inspection of the car a detailed plan was put together. Clearly with such a rare car this was going to be a very special project with authenticity and originality key to the success of the end result.

The GTO is such an iconic car that is admired not only by Ferrari owners but a car of this calibre will stand out and be welcomed at Concourse d’Elegance events worldwide.

The car was a low mileage car that had spent most of its life parked unused which had a detrimental effect on some of the components. With a clear image of what was required and Foskers experience of previous 288’s that they had rebuilt, a total rebuild was undertaken. Everything was striped and cataloged leaving a bear shell for the paint shop to work their magic on.

The engine was then entrusted to Ian to rebuild and bring back to its former glory whilst suspension and braking components were overhauled as required.

With the body shell now completed the intricate detail of assembly could be undertaken. Step by step every nut and bolt was put back in its original place on the car and glimpses of the final finish started to emerge.

With the engine now complete the gearbox and engine assembly could be eased back into the chassis and the list of ancillary components meticulously installed. The newly rebuilt suspension could now be refitted to the chassis. Steady progress was made through wiring, coolant system, exhaust and turbo’s until we clearly had more components on the car than we had on the shelf.  With trim and glass now complete,
the moment had come to start putting fluids back into this amazing car and the process of bringing it back to life could begin.

With everything done the battery was turned on, circuits checked and it was time to go for that first start of the engine. To quote Ian ‘there is nothing quite like starting a Ferrari engine for the first time it’s a magical moment that makes the hairs on your neck stand up’ and this one did not disappoint. It burst into life with all the gauges settling into there rightful positions.

I think we were all staggered by the beauty of this car, now completed and back on its wheels sitting in the workshop. Following pre-flight checks Jeff slowly ran the car out of the door and off for the first road test. With 20 miles covered the car returned sounding fantastic and a real credit to the team at Foskers.

On the 28th June 2009 this car attended the Ferrari Owners Club Concourse at Boughton House. We are extremely proud that all the commitment, hard work and dedication the Foskers team put into this two year project was duly rewarded when it achieved a 1st in class B. We all fell in love with this car, it is absolutely stunning!