You’d have to be pretty confident to take the pen-work of famed designer Leonardo Fioravanti, a key name at Pininfarina, and decide to redesign something entirely different. Back in the 1990s, Zagato did exactly that, taking Ferrari’s plucky, yet somewhat tame 348 and designing it into a more elaborate and striking sports car, dubbed the ‘Elaborazione’. 

Zagato created just 10 examples of the Elaborazione, each of which took on an entirely different identity to the 348. Starting with perhaps our favourite addition, the Zagato-bodied 348 featured 288 GTO-type vents on the rear fenders, a visible fuel filler cap, OZ Racing wheels with centre locks, and a front bumper that incorporated a grille with fog lights. Naturally, the iconic Zagato double-bubble roof also made a return. All in all, Zagato managed to lend the subdued 348 a more potent edge, bringing in elements from Ferrari’s racing history, as well as inspiration from the brand’s icons. On top of these visual changes, the aluminium bonnet incorporates two NACA ducts, while the rear was modified allow onlookers to peer into the engine bay. The closer you look at it, more of Zagato’s details come to light, and while on the face of it the car seems to boast a totally new front and rear look, this is really just the effect created by a host of minute details and alterations, such is the way with many of Zagato’s designs. 

For example, Zagato removed the bulkier wing mirrors, and replaced them with more competition-style units that hug the roofline, while the doors lose much of their original styling and grooves, which are replaced by larger, competition-style intakes. Inside, the cabin is awash with Alcantara and leather, with a sporty three-spoke Momo steering wheel replacing the cumbersome original.

While we may remember the 348 for being the first car in Ferrari’s history to host a single-model Challenge series, a highly competitive and dramatic event that took racers to some of the world’s greatest circuits, Zagato were busy redesigning the car for those customers looking to get the edge on their rivals outside the clubs and restaurants, rather than through Eau Rouge and Raidillon. 

Despite the ambition, Zagato would only create 10 examples of the Elaborazione, with this example being the third built, making it an incredibly rare piece of Italian design history. Not only that, but this represents an unusual collaboration between Ferrari and Zagato, all wrapped up in a perfectly useable and thrilling 1990s sports car! This fine example, as well as a plethora of other glorious prancing horses, will go under the hammer at Monaco Car Auction’s upcoming L’ASTAROSSA™ sale, which takes place on June 8th.

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