CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC: AUCTION SELECTION - 1989 Ferrari 348 TB - Pre-Production Press Car

This unique example, a certified Pre-Production chassis, was manufactured on 16th June 1989, ahead of the official launch in September of 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A press car, finished naturally in Rosso Corsa with a Pella Nera interior, this early 348 was first registered to Ferrari S.p.A with the number “MO 824101”. The car was pressed into promotional duties to support the launch of the new model, specifically as a media test car at Fiorano and for official Ferrari and other press engagements. A number or items of coverage in such titles as Road & Track, Autocar, Sports Car International, Quattoruote, also Automobile Sport & Prestige magazines chronicle its early press career.

In 1989, upon signing to join the Ferrari Formula 1 Team for the following season, Alain Prost was gifted a 348tb and an F40. Interviews with Prost in French magazines shortly after that period make it clear that he did not wish to discuss the ownership of either car in detail so as not to offend Ferrari, but it was clear the 348 was sold after some promotional activity but little personal use. Included in the sale are the magazines related to both the Prost interviews discussing the cars and the promotional images with Prost alongside registration MO 824101. The first registered private owner was Italian Motoring journalist, Sig. Nestore Morosini on 30/11/1989, having likely been purchased from Rosso Corsa in Milan on registration MI 7Z3247. Two more changes of ownership occurred on 09/06/1993 and 29/01/2001 where both registrations were listed as AE 306LV. This original Italian registration plate comes with the car, along with documentation from the official Italian Registration department (ACI) to confirm lineage.

The current vendor travelled to Italy to puchase the car in 2016 directly from Sig. Domenico Federico of Pescara. He was elderly, terminally ill and unable to drive the car but enthusiastically explained the car’s interesting provenance, although did not have all of the correct files to support this. From then on, the current vendor enjoyed investigating the car’s unique history for his own passion of Ferrari and has managed to collect a large quantity of supporting evidence that will be sold with the car.

In current ownership the 348 has been maintained in the UK by Maranello Concessionaires and specialists DK Engineering and SMDG, supported by invoices totalling over £21,000 since 2016. Upon arrival from Italy to the UK the 348 was treated to a full engine-out service as a precaution before being used. The most recent service at Maranello Concessionaires, in July 2021 at 56,182 kilometres (and totalling £10,931)  is in the file for reference. Stored and little used in recent years, the 348 is now ready for recommissioning.

A unique car and an important part of the Ferrari story, this very special example is complete with a number of press titles featuring the car, a 1989 kit-built model featuring its “MO 824101” registration, a large volume of magazines which support the launch of the 348 model, many of which specifically show the MO 824101 plate, Ferrari car cover, ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia) certificate and Ferrari Classiche certificate. 

One of two Ferrari’s that the Vendor has placed in this auction, neither of which he had ever intended to sell, but to be gifted to each of his children. This car has been owned for 8 years, the other for 15 years. Over the last 4 years, both cars have been used infrequently due to ill-health and kept in dry storage conditions. Regardless, the cars have been serviced and had all maintenance issues addressed without thought to cost for the duration of ownership.

COLLECTORS ROAD AND COMPETITION CARS
CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC
CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT, UPPER CASTLE COMBE, CHIPPENHAM SN14 7EY
21 SEPTEMBER AT 2:00PM

Lot 38
1989 Ferrari 348 TB - Pre-Production Press Car

Registration Number: G5 FRR
Chassis Number: ZFFKA35B000081437
Recorded Mileage: 57,000 kilometres (35,000 miles)

- Certified June 1989 Pre-Production chassis with extensive period media profile
- Originally registered to Ferrari S.p.A. under the mark “MO 824101”
- Complete with Ferrari Classiche certification
- Fully documented ownership, four private owners from new

ESTIMATE: £70,000 - £80,000