A legendary Ferrari supercar from the eighties will be offered as part of an upcoming Bonhams sale in Monaco. 

The Ferrari 288 GTO was so desirable that before production had even begun, every single one had been sold. 

Bonhams will offer a superb example at its inaugural Monaco Sale, taking place in Monte Carlo this May. 

The car carries a pre-sale estimate of €1.3-1.7 million ($1.43-1.87 million).

From 1984 to 1987 only 272 Ferrari 288s were built. The model was developed to fulfill the FIA’s (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) newly introduced Group B race and rally regulations, which required at least 200 road-going models in production. 

However, the demand for the exotic new model was so great that Ferrari built an extra 72.

James Knight, Bonhams International Group Motoring Director, said: “Rarely does a car take on iconic status when new, but the Ferrari 288 GTO achieved just that. It was, and still is, considered by many to be one of the finest high-performance cars ever built. In many ways, it is seen as the modern-era supercar that inspired the production of the Porsche 959, the Ferrari F40, the Bugatti EB110 and the McLaren F1.

“For a relatively young car, this example has one of the most impressively comprehensive and detailed files, with six general folders of invoices and correspondence, owner’s wallet with all books, and the Ferrari Classiche certification. The car is exceptionally well maintained.”

Finished in Rosso Corsa livery, this 288 GTO was acquired new in April 1985 by a successful London-based businessman and avid Ferrari enthusiast. He took delivery of the car directly from the famed Ferrari factory in Maranello in Italy, and then drove it to the UK. The car has remained in the family ever since.

Bonhams inaugural Monaco Sale will present an exclusive auction of 40 hand-picked, exceptional motor cars. 

Timed to coincide with the Monaco Grand Prix Historique, the sale will take place on May 13.

The venue for this grandest of motoring auctions is the prestigious Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel, overlooking the Grand Prix circuit’s famous ‘Station’ hairpin, scene of so much motor sporting drama.

Now in its 10^th edition, the biennial Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is a sprint race of classic cars, contested on the circuit of Monaco.

It takes from May 13 to 15, two weeks before the Monaco Formula 1 race.