Ferrari 348tb Coupe

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Launched in 1989, the mid-engined 348 marked a real departure for Ferrari as it was their first car to use monocoque construction in place of a tubular chassis frame.

It was also unusual in having a longitudinally-mounted V8 engine with a transverse gearbox (like the 288 GTO), and radiators sited in the flanks rather than the nose (like the Testarossa) which made the cabin easier to keep cool in heavy traffic. It came in two body styles, a closed coupe (the tb) and an open targa spider (ts).

The engine was a naturally aspirated 3.4-litre version of the quad-cam, 4-valve per cylinder V8 originally found in the 288 GTO and produced 300bhp and 238lb/ft of torque. Driving through a five-speed manual gearbox it could catapult the car to 60mph in just 5.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 171mph.

The coil-over wishbone suspension was independent all round and adjustable for ride height, while anti-lock brakes and air conditioning were fitted as standard. Looking very much like a baby version of the Testarossa, it proved to be one of the most commercially successful Ferraris ever, selling some 8,000 units before it was replaced by the 355 in 1995.

Finished in classic Rosso Corsa with a light tan hide interior, this left-hand drive 1992 348tb has spent its whole life in Switzerland where the maintenance and MOT standards are famously higher than just about anywhere else in the world. It has covered only 32,000kms (under 20,000 miles) and comes with a good service history and various other documents to warrant this total.

Said to be in exceptionally good condition throughout, it has spent the last four years in storage in Switzerland following a ski injury sustained by the owner which left him unable to drive the car. Recently imported to the UK and registered J795 CNO, it flew through its MOT in January and was last serviced less than 500kms ago when the cambelts, tensioners and breather pipes were also changed. So confident is the vendor about the car that he has also commissioned a Ferrari specialist’s report detailing the condition.

It also comes with all its original tools in the original wallet, a full set of handbooks and two sets of keys. Given the way that Ferrari prices have rocketed across the board in recent times, this super-sharp example could well prove a shrewd investment at the sensible guide price suggested today.