The result was a car that offered the same impressive performance as the berlinetta, with a remarkably flex-free chassis, as well as the possibility of true top-down motoring.
Ferrari spiders have always epitomised the marque sporting heritage. It was that heritage that inspired the designers when they set about clothing this superb chassis and running gear. The Pininfarina-designed 348 Spider was the latest in this long and glorious line when it debuted in 1993.

The two-seater 348 Spider had a steel and aluminium body. The soft-top was canvas and beautifully integrated into the car’s line, thanks to in-depth wind tunnel testing. 
It folded, in fact, into a compartment behind the seats using a system that didn’t impinge on either on longitudinal occupant comfort or fuel tank capacity. Its interior volumes and driver position were designed for maximum comfort given its sporty set-up. The seats and trim were a plush Connolly leather. The 348 Spider had a steel monocoque with differentiated tubular elements and a tubular rear sub-frame for the engine-suspension assembly. 
The suspension was independent unequal-length wishbones front and rear. It had coil springs over gas-filled telescopic dampers, and stabiliser bars. The steering was rack and pinion. The car also had self-venting disc brakes with ATE antiskid. The mid-rear 3405 cc 90° V8 engine was mounted longitudinally and punched out 320 hp. It had twin overhead cams with four valves per cylinder and a Bosch M 2.7 control unit. The 348 GTB also had dry sump lubrication, a five-speed plus reverse transverse gearbox in unit with the self-locking differential, and a single-plate dry clutch.