Ferrari 348 TB tweaked

Heir to the 328 GTB, the 348 TB was actually a completely new car, which offered a new interpretation of the two-seater mid-engined V8 berlinetta. The body combined styling cues from the Testarossa – along the flanks – with ones from classic models of the past (such as the front-end treatment, reminiscent of the 375 MM).

The new model was a radical departure from the design philosophy of its predecessor, not only in the mechanical layout, but also in the style of the body, and the chassis construction. Along with the sister 348 ts model, this was the first series production Ferrari not to have a separate tubular steel chassis frame. Instead it used a pressed steel chassis, with a separate tubular steel engine sub-frame bolted to it, with the body panels robot welded, and bolted, to the main structure. The wheelbase was 100mm more than the 328 model that it succeeded at 2450mm, and the chassis carried factory type reference F 119 AB on the berlinetta.

The body was designed by Pininfarina, and bore a strong family resemblance to the Testarossa model, but on a smaller scale. The similarities are particularly noticeable in the horizontally straked air inlets in the door ducts to the side mounted radiators, and the rear light treatment, where the lenses are hidden behind a full width matt black slatted grille. When the Testarossa was given a facelift in 1992 to become the 512 TR, the new nose treatment used was very similar in style to that of the 348 models, making the likeness even greater. On both models the front “radiator grille” was a dummy inset satin black egg crate pattern unit, to provide the traditional Ferrari face.

The interior featured a pair of leather trimmed seats with manual adjustment, featuring supportive side bolsters, adjustable head restraints and three point inertia reel seat belts. The main instruments were housed in a deep binnacle ahead of the three spoke leather trimmed steering wheel, whilst on the passenger side a glove box was provided in the dash face. Between the seats there was a centre console running into the lower edge of the dashboard, incorporating ancillary instrumentation and switchgear, together with the gear lever in the traditional open gate.

In 1993 a Challenge Race Series was inaugurated for the 348 models. In this, clients paid a set fee for a safety/performance kit and track support for the season. This series proved very popular, and evolved into that for the F355 models that succeeded the 348 series. During 1995 both series of cars were allowed to participate during the model changeover period.
The 348 tb model ceased production in 1993 with the announcement of the updated 348 GTB, during the production period 2894 examples were produced in the chassis number range 81617 to 96679.