The Ferrari 348 was a victim of circumstance in Ferrari history. It wasn’t particularly well regarded, as it followed the legendary 308/328 and was succeeded by the F355, the car that the wedge styling from the 1980s died with. Given the direction Ferraris are headed, with the absence of true manual gearboxes and ever increasing technological complexity, will the 348 begin to rise in value as collectors seek more pure forms of exotic Italian motoring. From the looks of this 348 Spyder, it appears it is still an opportune time to snag one of these mid-engined sports cars from the mid-1990s.
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Year: 1995 Model: 348 Spider Engine: 3.4 liter V8 Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 23,432 mi Price: $49,500 Buy It Now
Buy with confidence. This Ferrari has just had major service to the engine and it runs like new.
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Not a lot of information is provided by the seller, but if the major service has been done, that's a bonus because that will be your major worry with this car. I’ve mentioned the comparison before, but with Porsche 964 and 993 prices on the rise, they are eclipsing exotics such as this Spyder. Granted, German engineering is more robust and you’re likely to have less issues going forward with the Porsche, but for the price, it’s harder to get this much flash for the cash.
From food to science, there are few things the Italians have not influenced in our everyday lives. This influence includes cars. In recent years in the United States, though, you wouldn't know it, as Italian car sightings are uncommon. However, from American classics to British sports cars, the Italians have had a wide reach with automotive styling in the 20th century. Not even the French could escape their inspiration. I want to take this week to look at a few significant and sometimes forgotten classics that Italy had a hand in bringing to market.
In the 1980s, General Motors was looking for a way to position Cadillac as a competitor to the world's best, and their solution was to go head to head with the Mercedes-Benz 560SL and Jaguar XJ-S. The two seater Allante convertible bowed in 1987 to much fanfare. Its body was assembled in Italy and shipped back to the United States for final assembly via specially equipped Boeing 747s. This method of manufacturing garnered the nickname "the world's longest assembly line." It also added a good amount to the sticker price.
The final model year, 1993, was the best year for the Allante. In true General Motors fashion, they killed off this car just as the plot was thickening. Equipped with the new Northstar V8, this engine was a massive upgrade, delivering a whopping 95 horsepower more over the old 4.5 liter V8. It was still front wheel drive, but at least this kind of power had people taking this two seater a bit more seriously. Our feature car is in fact the desirable 1993 model with an amazingly low 18,000 miles in museum-like condition.
1993 Cadillac Allante Convertible. Finished in classic red with beautiful soft tan leather interior and black convertible top. This incredible motorcar has been driven just 18,353 miles and can virtually not be told from new. This magnificent motorcar is equipped with nearly every available option and is finished in one of the most sought after color combinations. We are proud to offer this investment grade, last year Cadillac Allante to the most particular collector, investor or enthusiast who demands the best. You will not be disappointed in this truly wonderful motorcar!
I never liked the Allante when I was younger, but with age, the design has grown on me. Granted, it's driving dynamics may leave something to be desired, but it's sharp, unadorned lines make it stand out in everyday traffic. Even though this particular car has extremely low miles, the asking price of almost $25,000 is well over market values. On a good day, I'd wager to say a car like this would bring $15,000 tops, with drivers in good condition changing hands in between the $10,000 to $13,000 range. Eventually, these Italian-American roadsters may become an icon like the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, but we aren't at that point yet.
