Chris Harris Drives the Ferrari 348 Competizione | Rarer than a French Service Station Steak

Collecting Cars

27 Jan 202406:01

Summary

TLDRIn this exhilarating video, Chris Harris dives into the world of rare Ferraris, spotlighting the 348 GT Competizione. With only 50 units produced and a mere eight in right-hand drive, this model is a hidden gem among Ferrari enthusiasts. Harris embarks on a brief yet thrilling test drive, showcasing its lightweight advantage, courtesy of a 200 kg reduction and Kevlar components, over its standard counterpart. The car boasts a dog-leg 5-speed gearbox, F40 seats, and distinctive styling reminiscent of a 'pimped up Testarossa'. Despite its underappreciated engine compared to later models, Harris finds the driving experience exceptionally pleasing, highlighting its agility, responsive engine, and classic Ferrari charm. A rare find, the 348 GT Competizione emerges as a must-have for collectors seeking exclusivity and performance.

Takeaways

😍 The 348 GT Competizione is a very rare and special Ferrari, with only 50 made in total and 8 in right-hand drive
🚗 It's based on the 348 but with significant weight reduction of around 200kg, making it much faster
⚙️ It retains the 348's 3.4L V8 engine but gains a bit more power through a more free-flowing exhaust
🏎 The interior features F40 seats and a lovely thin steering wheel from the 512 TR
😎 Chris loves the dog-leg manual gearbox which adds to the experience and engagement
👌 The overall driving experience exceeds Chris' expectations - it feels light, quick and smooth
🔊 It doesn't have the best V8 sound but still has an appealing hollow note
🎨 Chris thinks the 348 design has aged beautifully and the Competizione enhances it further
💰 At the price of an F50 service, the Competizione offers incredibly rare, exclusive Ferrari motoring
❤️ Chris struggles not to really like this car - it ticks so many boxes as a rare and special machine

Q & A

What model and version of Ferrari is featured in the video?
-The video features a 348 GT Competizione, an ultra-rare lightweight version of the 348 model. Only 50 were produced in total.
What makes the 348 GT Competizione special compared to a standard 348?
-It's much lighter, weighing about 200kg less due to the use of Kevlar and other lightweight materials. The weight reduction makes it significantly faster than a standard 348 despite having similar power.
How rare is the 348 GT Competizione?
-Extremely rare. Only 50 were produced in total and just 8 were right-hand drive models.
How does the interior of the 348 GT Competizione compare to a 355?
-The host notes that the interior looks better than a 355, highlighting the nicely aging split rim F40 seats in particular.
What type of gearbox does this car have?
-It has a 5-speed dog leg manual gearbox, which was the last V8 Ferrari to feature this type of transmission.
How does the car perform based on the host's impressions?
-He states it feels light and quick with a very smooth engine, loads of torque, and responsive handling. He believes it would easily outperform a Porsche 964 RS.
What does the host say is the appeal of this car compared to more powerful Ferraris?
-He notes you shouldn't look at it as a power exercise but rather a weight reduction one. Combined with its rarity, it offers exclusive Ferrari motoring and history at a fraction of the cost of other rare models.
What criticisms does the host have of the car?
-Very little. He notes the engine noise isn't as nice as some other Ferrari V8s but otherwise finds the car lovely to drive with no rattles.
Why does the host recommend this car for collectors?
-Due to its extreme rarity. He states you could show up at any event and say you have something rarer than the F50s and F40s that would cost far more.
What is the host's overall impression of the 348 GT Competizione?
-Extremely positive. He states it was never on his radar before but has left him struggling to not really like the car, highlighting its great sound, steering, history and appearance.