Highlights
- Verified low mileage
- 1/137 GTS models made
- Manual V8 drivetrain
- Excellent service and MOT record
- Just had a full service including the cambelt change in February 2023
The Appeal
One of the later revised 348 models, the GTS offered more power and better reliability over the earlier model.
With that iconic targa roof, it gave owners all the open-air character of the Spyder, but with the all-weather abilities of the coupé.
With that iconic targa roof, it gave owners all the open-air character of the Spyder, but with the all-weather abilities of the coupé.
Here we have a lovely example that was imported to the UK in 1996 from Germany.
With a comprehensive service history, superb MOT record and careful ownership, it’s been very well preserved and is presented in excellent overall condition.
If you’re in the market for a manual, V8 engined retro supercar, then this is one of the finest examples you’ll find.
With a comprehensive service history, superb MOT record and careful ownership, it’s been very well preserved and is presented in excellent overall condition.
If you’re in the market for a manual, V8 engined retro supercar, then this is one of the finest examples you’ll find.
The History and Paperwork
- 1 of only 137 GTS models produced
- First registered in Germany in 1994
- Imported to the UK in February 1996, with all paperwork completed
- 3 owners since import
- Current owner since June 2000
- During current ownership, the car has always been garaged and meticulously maintained
- We’re told by the vendor that the car has a full specialist service history
- Last service was in March 2021 at 73,628 Km - fewer than 200Km covered since
- Only 3,000Km covered since January 2007
- Owner’s handbook, numerous maintenance invoices and many MOT certificates included
- Current MOT to March 2023
- Every MOT since 2007 passed first time, with no advisories since 2015
The Interior
- Black leather upholstery
- Air conditioning
- Electric windows and door mirrors
- Iconic open-gate H-pattern shifter
The 348’s cabin hails from a time when Ferrari interiors were elegantly simple and driver-focussed.
There are no fussy instruments, no steering wheel controls, just a classically simple sports steering wheel and open-gate H-pattern shifter. It’s a lovely environment, with surprisingly good visibility thanks to a relatively large glass area compared to modern supercars.
There are no fussy instruments, no steering wheel controls, just a classically simple sports steering wheel and open-gate H-pattern shifter. It’s a lovely environment, with surprisingly good visibility thanks to a relatively large glass area compared to modern supercars.
The upholstery all presents in nice condition, with the leather showing minimal signs of wear considering it’s a 28 year old vehicle. There are, of course, some creases and signs of light wear to the seats, but only what adds character – there’s no sign of damage or tearing that we could identify.
Similarly, the complementary carpets look to be in fine fettle, while the targa roof panel was retrimmed in 2016 and remains in very good order. There is also a bespoke bag to store the targa panel behind the seats.
Similarly, the complementary carpets look to be in fine fettle, while the targa roof panel was retrimmed in 2016 and remains in very good order. There is also a bespoke bag to store the targa panel behind the seats.
Looking at the switchgear and instrumentation, everything looks to be in excellent condition, with some wear commensurate with the vehicle’s age and use, but nothing significant.
Overall, everything has been beautifully cared for and the vendor tells us that it all functions just as it should.
Overall, everything has been beautifully cared for and the vendor tells us that it all functions just as it should.
At the front, the luggage area is finely trimmed and presented in good order, with no staining or damage we could identify.
The Exterior
- Rosso Corsa paintwork
- Original 5-spoke alloys
- Targa roof panel
- Pop-up headlights
Handsomely styled with some very attractive detailing, the 348 GTS benefits from a steel monocoque, aluminium bonnet and engine cover, with GRP bumpers and side skirts.
With those stylish side strakes allowing the radiators to breathe, a targa roof panel and pop-up headlights, it’s a car that is very much of its time, and all the better for it in our opinion.
With those stylish side strakes allowing the radiators to breathe, a targa roof panel and pop-up headlights, it’s a car that is very much of its time, and all the better for it in our opinion.
The paintwork of this example is nicely finished, with the vendor informing us that any necessary paintwork (such as stone chips) has been dealt with promptly and correctly.
It certainly looks to be in very good order – we couldn’t pick out any significant or notable issues, blemishes or scratches. That classic Rosso Corsa finish wears a lovely gloss and has a great depth to it.
It certainly looks to be in very good order – we couldn’t pick out any significant or notable issues, blemishes or scratches. That classic Rosso Corsa finish wears a lovely gloss and has a great depth to it.
Likewise, the bodywork and trim all appears to be straight, in fine condition, and showing very little wear considering the age of the car.
It wears the correct nine vertical slat front grille and polished chrome Cavallino Rampante logo on the rear, while all the glass (including that fantastic concave rear screen) presents well, with no cracking or chipping we could see.
It wears the correct nine vertical slat front grille and polished chrome Cavallino Rampante logo on the rear, while all the glass (including that fantastic concave rear screen) presents well, with no cracking or chipping we could see.
It still sits on the correct 5-spoke 17” alloys, two of which were refurbished and powder coated in September this year. They’re shod in the correct Bridgestone tyres – 215/50 at the front and 255/45 at the rear – which appear to be in new condition.
Looking underneath, the floors and drivetrain elements looks nice and straight, with no sign of damage or significant corrosion observable to us. There are one or two minor areas of surface corrosion, as you’d expect, but nothing that would concern us.
Overall, the car presents superbly well externally, and belies its near forty years.
The Mechanics
- 3,405cc mid-mounted V8
- 5-speed manual transmission and LSD
- Tubi exhaust fitted in 2000
- In-period ECU upgrade by Superchips
- Just had a full service including the cambelt change in February 2023
Pushing 320bhp to the rear wheels through a manual transmission (mounted at the rear for balance), the 3.4-litre V8 is a brilliant piece of engineering, and one that gives the car its soul.
With a very fine record of maintenance and servicing, as well as that low overall mileage, it’s clearly been little used and well cared for. In fact, it received a full service from SMDG Performance (Ferrari specialists) in March 2021 at 73,628 Km.
With a very fine record of maintenance and servicing, as well as that low overall mileage, it’s clearly been little used and well cared for. In fact, it received a full service from SMDG Performance (Ferrari specialists) in March 2021 at 73,628 Km.
We’re assured by the vendor that it drives superbly well, sounding “like an F1 car”, accelerating, handling and stopping just as it should.
They tell us there are no leaks, no smoke on running and no other mechanical issues that they are aware of.
They tell us there are no leaks, no smoke on running and no other mechanical issues that they are aware of.
Summary
If you’re looking for a more attainable way into Ferrari ownership, the 348 GTS is the perfect solution.
It delivers everything you could want from a retro supercar, with more focus and none of the fripperies of many modern vehicles.
It delivers everything you could want from a retro supercar, with more focus and none of the fripperies of many modern vehicles.
With low mileage, a great record of maintenance and a careful single-owner for the last 22 years, we think this rare, pretty and characterful supercar would be a great purchase and wise investment.
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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