You can’t go wrong with old-school Ferraris. The 90s kids probably still keep their old posters. As they now pass into their 30s, many of them can even afford their teenage dream cars. Today, you can buy a used 348 for less than $50,000.
For those Ferrari connoisseurs who can’t be satisfied by a mere production model, we bring delightful news:
A rare 1991 Ferrari 348 TB Zagato Elaborazione will go to a sale at an RM Sotheby’s auction on May 25th at Villa Erba, Italy. That’s a lot of words, but of course, it’s not just any car.
348 is the designation of the engine – 3.4-liter, V8 with a longitudinal placement. T stands for the transverse mounting of the transmission. B means Berlinetta or sports coupe. Zagato is obviously the legendary Italian design studio. And finally, Elaborazione means to expand on something… which was already amazing.
In this case, Zagato has added a new exterior package and a completely new interior.
Starting off at the front end, you’ll notice a redesigned bumper. The rectangular lights were replaced with double circular elements. The fake grill was also replaced with a prancing horse emblem and a set of smaller circular vents.
The real intake strakes on the sides were enlarged and combined into a single NACA duct air channel. The rear bumper is also redesigned with the triple circular lights continuing the trend. A new feature is the electronically-controlled spoiler.
Zagato also included their infamous double bubble roof, lowering the construction slightly and adding a glass panel over the engine bay showing off the V8. Completing the exterior design are O.Z. Racing wheels and external fuel caps.
The interior received new suede upholstery and a 3-inch rear-view display.
348 Zagato Elaborazione is mechanically identical to the production 348. In 1991 the car was still early in its production cycle. Also, this engine was the last V8 developed under Enzo Ferrari.
With 300 bhp and 238 lb/ft on tap, the engine can accelerate the Ferrari to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat, going as fast as 166 mph. That’s plenty of performance and you can bet the car will still raise your hair on a curvy road, despite being nearly 30 years old.
Ferrari 348 Zagato Elaborazione is extremely rare. Only 10 of these were produced in 1991 and 1992. Out of those, Zagato brought a single prototype to the launch at the 1991 Geneva International Motor Show. It is that unique vehicle that is being offered by RM Sotheby’s.
If we got your blood boiling and you’ve got $225,000 to spend on an old school Ferrari, then head over to Villa Erba on the 25th of May.
