Entering production in 1989, the Ferrari 348 propelled the Italian marque into the 1990s with aplomb. Borrowing design cues from earlier Ferrari hallmarks, such as the slatted side-flanks from the Testarossa and a front grille reminiscent of the 375 MM, the 348 typified a neatly packaged and nimble driver’s car. Following Ferrari convention, its name was derived from its engine arrangement, in this case a 3.4-litre displacement shared between eight cylinders.

The model succeeded the earlier 328 but offered a completely redesigned formula overseen by two of Ferrari’s greatest influences. Leonardo Fioravanti—the visionary behind some of the greatest Prancing Horse designs not limited to the 288 GTO, 512 BB, and F40—took charge of Pininfarina-led styling for the final time, while the 348 was the last mid-engined V-8 car developed under the direction of Enzo Ferrari. The 348 TB and TS launched in 1989, while in 1993 the car was revised and rebranded as the 348 GTB and GTS, which remained in production until 1995. Only 252 units of the hard-top GTB left the Maranello factory, making them extremely sought after today.

The 348 GTB offered here was made in 1994 and is thought to be one of only 14 examples produced in right-hand drive. Retained by The Factory Fresh Collection and kept in storage from new, the car has led a sheltered life and consequently its odometer shows just 181 kilometres at the time of cataloguing. The Ferrari’s exterior shade of red makes a great match for its desirable tan leather interior, which is framed by its accents of black trim and topped off by the prominent metal gated five-speed manual gear lever. The car is accompanied by selected Ferrari manuals; the factory data listed in its documentation confirms that the 348 GTB retains its matching-numbers engine.

Representing a sweet spot of Ferrari model history, the 348 GTB is as easy on the eye as it is exciting to drive. This rare late-production model, with its low build numbers and limited usage from new, represents an opportunity not to be missed.