1993 Ferrari 348 TS

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 attached to 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. A higher compression ratio and updated fuel injection helped generate 300 horsepower, 30-40 more than the Ferrari 328, whilst dry-sump lubrication 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 lines 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.

This 348 TS was imported from Germany and has had 2 owners from new. It's a left-hand drive example and has an odometer reading of only 43,000 kilometres or 26,719 miles. It features a Challenge exhaust system that sounds absolutely fantastic and comes with a good service history. A fresh service has just been carried out in Denmark and it is described as ready to go. Finished in Giallo Fly Yellow with a black leather interior, the car presents very well indeed.

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. With values of its predecessor, the 328, edging closer to and sometimes beyond £100,000 and its successor, the F355, selling above the £50,000 bracket, this 348 offers ideal entry level Ferrari ownership for a most realistic outlay.