In some respects, the 355 is the car that saved Ferrari – its answer to the Honda NSX and Porsche 911 993, which had completely reset expectations in the supercar market.
Like its rivals, the 355 was much more refined and usable than its predecessors and it allowed Ferrari to achieve much better volumes that it had achieved with the 348 on which it was based. It was a completely different car though, with far sharper handling and an advanced mechanical package – the five-valve heads, dry-sump lubrication and titanium rods contributed to the highest bhp/litre of any production engine, beating even the McLaren F1’s 109bhp per litre and a rev limit of 8800rpm.
A full-convertible Spider model debuted in 1995, and made the already drop-dead gorgeous styling even more jaw-dropping. And that’s what we have here - an incredible, usable 355 Spider with the later F1 paddle-shift transmission and just over 44,000 miles on the clock.
The vendor adores his 355 – it has been a dream car of his since childhood – and this is a very reluctant sale of a car that has been thoroughly loved during his ownership, including a mechanical overhaul costing just shy of £10,000.na5P6YKyKhpscMnZ8WMM3RCUZuKPhHyUu2yonr4j.jpg771.02 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
MOT July 2024
Service book with 12 stamps to 42,330 miles in 2022, when a full cambelt service was carried out
The 355 was a cut above previous small Ferraris in terms of its cabin refinements, with smart Connolly hide on the sports seats and a comprehensive list of standard equipment. It features a hand-stitched leather fascia and distinctive red carpets, while the original factory floor mats are present.
It’s all in good order and all of the controls work, the only negatives being some non-illuminated segments in the gear read-out LCD display and some minor signs of heat warp around the vent surrounds and passenger airbag cover – nothing to worry about.
Finished in traditional Ferrari Rosso Corsa and in stunning order throughout, this car really is something to behold. It’s not perfect, but it’s not far off – all of the panels are smart and damage-free, the paint finish is generally excellent other than the odd tiny stone chip and the alloy wheels are superb, shod with decent Bridgestone Potenza tyres all-round.
The underside appears sound and the car has recently had the roof mechanism overhauled, but the roof skin does need some repairs, as there are nicks in the fabric towards the rear of the soft-top on both sides. RpkAMtnUGOER0ZQvErMiQF9htCw2KbiJ0IXKbfYz.jpg829.7 KB
THE MECHANICS
3.5-litre V8
F1 paddle-shift transmission
Comprehensive mechanical overhaul in 2022
Runs and drives wonderfully
There’s a sense of occasion to the 355 as soon as you turn the key, the compact V8 emitting a meaningful snarl as soon as you fire it up. The engine bay presentation is beautiful – it’s as much a styling feature of the 355 as the Pininfarina-penned bodywork.
With this example, there should be no major future concerns. Last year, the vendor spent over £10,000 on the car on a full mechanical overhaul, including a cambelt service and gearbox check-over, all new belts and fluids, brake pipes, coolant pipes, brake and suspension components. It has covered just 2,500 miles since, and is still in absolutely fantastic mechanical order.uhOUkQLzCDg6A6PgSu8H4KtRqgogz7jKsBxY7Qdy.jpg604.14 KB
SUMMARY
The 355 is arguably the prettiest Ferrari of the past 30 years and is a true 1990s icon – especially in Spider format. This one is adorable: it’s in lovely overall condition, but it’s no trailer queen. Instead, it’s a genuine, usable and very well-presented example that’s mechanically well-sorted and ready to thoroughly enjoy.
Notice to buyers
This vehicle is subject to third party financing. The amount of finance due on the vehicle is less than the reserve. The seller will discharge the financing debt and all related costs absolutely within two full working days from the end of the auction on a successful sale and will confirm to the buyer that such release has occurred. This obligation will be implied into the contract of sale between the buyer and the seller on auction close.
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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