Lot : 15

Introduced at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Ferrari 348 had the unenviable task of following on from the Maranello concern's best-selling 308 / 328 duo. A truly innovative design, it was the first Prancing Horse-badged car not to be based around a tubular chassis frame. Instead, the mid-engined newcomer utilised a robot-welded sheet-steel monocoque that brought considerable gains in torsional rigidity and dimensional accuracy. Cradled by a separate sub-frame, its 'quad-cam' 32-valve 3405cc V8 was longitudinally-mounted (another break with Ferrari 'small car' tradition) and drove the rear wheels via a neatly-integrated transverse five-speed manual gearbox. Developing some 300bhp and 238lbft of torque, the 348 had need of its all-round coil-over wishbone independent suspension, ventilated ABS disc brakes, self-locking ZF differential and rack-and-pinion steering. A near performance match for its Testarossa 'big brother' (contemporary road tests spoke of 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds and a 171mph top speed), the two also shared a number of styling cues. Though, the similarity was unsurprising given that both models were clothed by Pininfarina and featured side-mounted radiators. King of the junior supercar league until the arrival of its 355 successor during 1994, the 348 could be had in coupe, targa and eventually spider guises (each variant enjoying leather upholstery, air-conditioning and an adjustable steering column as standard).

Finished in Rosso Corsa with Nero leather upholstery and red carpets, this particular left-hand drive example is considered by the vendor to be "absolutely superb". Reportedly "supplied new to the South of France", the Ferrari is further understood to have been imported to the UK nine years ago by which time it had covered some 50,000km (approximately 39,000 miles). Apparently treated to some £3,000 worth of fettling comprising "a gearbox overhaul, new tyres, fresh brakes and replacement cambelts by RND Motorsport at 63,000km", the 348 now shows some 80,000km to its odometer (approximately 50,000 miles). Further benefiting from a CD player, Ferrari tool kit and fresh service, this striking junior supercar is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until September 25th 2009 and road tax valid until September 2009. Ready to be driven away from today's sale, it is worthy of close inspection.