1991 Ferrari 348TB

The Ferrari 348 series marked a radical departure in the way Maranello constructed its cars, replacing as they did a chassis of traditional steel tubes with a much stiffer monocoque structure with a tubular rear subframe. Suspension remained independent front and rear with wishbones, springs, telescopic shocks, antiroll bars, and revised geometry. The ventilated disc brakes were much larger than those of its predecessor the Ferrari 328, and used anti lock technology. A midship-mounted V8 returned, but it was larger and more powerful displacing 3405cc, mounted longitudinally and mated to a transverse gearbox. The displacement accounted for the new car's Ferrari 348 designation. The suffix TBcame from the transverse gearbox and closed Berlinetta body style. A higher compression ratio and updated fuel injection helped generate 300 horsepower, 30-40 more than the Ferrari 328, whilst a dry-sump oiling system gave the new Ferrari a lower centre of gravity.

The 348 was the last design under the supervision of legendary chief stylist Leonardo Fioravanti. Taking cues from the Testarossa, its forms were softer than those of the 328 but still curvaceous, the side strakes being the most obvious Testarossa inspiration. The wheelbase was longer than the 328's and the track wider, giving the interior more space.

Imported from Germany and first registered in the UK in 1997 this left hand drive 348 has an odometer reading of 53,044 kilometres, equating to some 32,960 miles at the time of consignment.

The fully stamped service book reads as follows:10,000km Service by E. und Th. Wichelhausen at 9,467km20,000km Service by Classic Automobile GmbH at 17,296km30,000km Service by Gschwendtner Fahrzeugtechnik at 28,000km40,000km Service by Gerd Walger Automobile at 37,32950,000km Service and cam belt replacement by Auto Classico, Bristol at 51,877km

The vendor, the car's second owner, is reluctantly offering this undervalued example of the Ferrari marque for sale through us. With fond memories of motoring through his native Italy, the vendor informs us the car behaved impeccably. Due to business commitments the car has had little use in recent years, showing just 2,000km since the cam belt replacement. Regularly started and idled to temperature the car has been correctly dry stored during this vendor's ownership. Presenting well today, the Nero interior shows little, if any, signs of wear. The Rossa Corsa paint is in good overall condition, however cosmetic refreshment is required to correct stone chips to the front, a common problem with low slung sports cars, and there is a paint chip to the rear bumper that also requires correction.

The 348 has been largely ignored in the Ferrari market and offered here for sale is surely one of the best value Ferraris in the UK market. With values of it's predecessor, the 328, edging close to £100,000 and with its successor, the F355, selling above the £50,000 bracket, this 348 offers ideal entry level Ferrari ownership and will be sold freshly serviced and newly MoTd.

Please note that the private number plate is not included in the sale and DVLA retention proceedings have begun.