Background
The Ferrari 348 was launched at the 1989 Frankfurt Auto Show and came as a replacement for the 328 model series. It featured a mid-engine layout with a naturally aspirated 3.4-litre V8 with four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts producing 300 hp, coupled to a five-speed manual transverse gearbox. The model remained in production for six years and a total of 8,844 examples were produced, all versions combined. It was the last V8 model developed under the direction of Enzo Ferrari; the car was commissioned to production shortly after his passing in August 1988.
Overall reception of the new Ferrari by the press proved to be enthusiastic, with Road & Track naming the car “one of the ten best cars in the world” after a test in 1991. Criticism mainly concerned the gearbox, which was, as on other Ferraris, stiff and bulky when cold. Once warmed up, the gearbox worked best when driven fast and aggressively – as intended.
The 348 was available in two standard versions: TB and TS, the former standing for Transversale Berlinetta and the latter for Transversale Spider. The styling of the 348, penned by Leonardo Fioravanti, differed from that of its predecessors, namely the 328, in the sense that it was much larger at the rear and featured straked side air intakes with rectangular taillights. Like the Testarossa, the 348 had oil and coolant radiators located in the sides, leading to the substantial widening of the car as previously mentioned. The model also had a dry-sump lubrication system, which means that the oil level can be checked with the engine running.
In 1993, Ferrari Club Nederland founder and President Hans Hugenholtz came up with the idea of launching the Ferrari Challenge. The race series was designated for the 348 and included Italian and European series. The cars used for these race series were modified street versions, the upgrading works often done by Ferrari dealers who installed factory-supplied Challenge kits. The kit included a direct exhaust, carbon seats, roll cage, lowered suspension, 18″ magnesium wheels, onboard fire extinguisher and other details to boost engine performance in addition to technical support on the track. The 348 Challenge’s V8 engine unleashed 320 bhp, 20 or so more than the road version.
Since only 100 examples of the 348 Challenge were built by the factory, many of the rest having been converted by dealers, it is difficult to estimate how many were produced in total. However, the 348 Challenge cars remain a desirable and rare version of this model, and we are pleased to offer one here.
