Looking to fit the needs of a handful of privateer racers, Ferrari and Michelotto built a series of eleven race-prepared Ferrari 348s over the course of 1993 and 1994. Dubbed the 348 GT Michelotto Competizione, these were ready to be campaigned at the highest levels of motorsport, including the 24 Hours races at both Le Mans and Daytona. Hand built by Michelotto at their facilities in Padua, these cars boasted a number of significant upgrades over their road-going siblings.

Most notably, their engines were rated at 360 bhp after receiving reconfigured fuel mapping and F40 half shafts. To haul in all this performance, new Brembo 15-inch cross-drilled were fitted, along with wider five-spoke magnesium wheels. For the suspension, Michelotto designed a system utilizing Koni dampers and revised geometry to reduce dive, and also worked to strengthen the rigidity of the suspension and chassis. Lexan replaced the glass rear window and lightweight alloy panels were utilized for the front lid and engine cover. Carbon composite was utilized for the undertray, doors, bumpers, and was also utilized for supplementary air ducts that were fitted to cool the rear brakes.

Delivered new to Shelton Sports Cars of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, what was then Ferrari’s largest factory-authorized dealership in the state, chassis number 99107 was one of just four 348 GT Michelotto Competiziones to be delivered to the United States. In order to comply with U.S. FIA regulations, the car was special-ordered with a fire-extinguisher system and Momo racing seats. Passing through two private owners, during which time it was shown at Concorso Italiano in 1997, the car was later acquired by John O’Quinn and was subsequently shipped to Texas, where it remained with his large private collection.

Following Mr. O’Quinn’s death, his collection was sold by RM Sotheby’s and this Ferrari was purchased by the consignor at auction in 2010. At that time, the car had only been driven 2,685 km from new, never having been raced and only driven on the track in non-competitive track days. Subsequently exported to Germany, the car has continued to only be used seldomly for non-competitive track days and has covered roughly 1,000 km with the consignor, and the odometer is currently showing 3,503 km from new at the time of cataloging. In February of 2019, the car received a gearbox rebuild and the timing belts were replaced at Formula GT/Peter Praller in Munich, Germany.

Eligible for a handful of historic racing events, including Le Mans Classic, Michelotto’s competition-bred Ferraris are truly amongst the most desirable cars to bear the Scuderia’s Cavallino Rampante. Never raced and seldom used throughout its life, following a recent service this example would be a thrill to experience behind the wheel at speed.