Few experiences compare to unleashing a Ferrari V8 on an open road, and the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS delivers that thrill with unapologetic 1990s flair. With its removable targa top off, you can hear the sharp bark of its 3.4-liter engine echo against city skyscrapers – a red-blooded Italian soundtrack that would make any Aussie V8 fall silent in reverence. Clad in Rosso, the 348 TS carries a design language influenced by the legendary Testarossa (note the signature side strakes), but on a more agile, lithe platform. It’s a bridge between the old-school gated-shifter Ferraris and the modern era: no power steering, no electronic nannies – just pure mechanical connection binding driver, machine, and road. Immaculate condition and careful ownership have preserved this example like a time capsule; its low 30,000 km mileage suggests a pampered life. Slide into the cockpit and you’re greeted by the iconic open-gate shifter and a cabin swathed in Italian leather. Every toggle and gauge reflects Maranello’s racing DNA. In a country where supercars were once a rarity, the 348 offers Australian collectors a visceral taste of Ferrari’s heritage that outclasses anything that ever rolled out of an Aussie factory in terms of pedigree and engineering finesse.
Why it’s special: As the last of the analogue V8 Ferraris before the electronic revolution, the 348 TS has garnered new appreciation among collectors. This particular car’s outstanding condition means it not only presents beautifully but is also mechanically sound – a critical factor for investment-grade sports cars. With Ferrari values on a steady climb, especially for classic gated manual models, an original 348 in top form is a savvy entry into the Ferrari club. It offers rarity (fewer were made than its successor, the F355), and its design has matured into a beloved emblem of ’90s exotica. For the investor, it represents a chance to acquire a prancing horse that has likely bottomed out in depreciation and is poised for upside. More than numbers, though, it’s the experience that makes the 348 TS special – something intangible that sets it apart from any local Australian performance car: the feel of a true Ferrari in your hands, a piece of the Scuderia’s soul ready to reward both financially and emotionally.