Lot details Registration No: A111CPM Chassis No: ZFFKA35C000091736 Mot Expiry: March 2013
Introduced at the 1989 Frankfurt Motorshow, the Ferrari 348 had the unenviable task of replacing the best-selling 308/328 duo. A truly innovative design, it was the first Prancing Horse-badged car to utilise 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 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 Crema leather upholstery, `A111 CPM' is said to have undergone a total of 11 services in the hands of Ferrari agents (one an independent specialist). Apparently the last one included a cambelt change and was carried out by Graypaul Nottingham at 44,000 miles - the odometer now indicates a little over 45,000 miles. This prancing horse's extensive specification includes: a Thatcham category one alarm, CD system and air conditioning. The vendor considers the Ferrari to be "an absolutely superb example". He further rates its bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and five-speed manual transmission as all "immaculate". The next keeper will be pleased to learn than it is MOT'd until the middle of March 2013.
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