Highlights
- Attractive Blu Swaters paint with tan leather
- Desirable 6 speed manual gearbox
- Driven less than 43,000 miles
- Just over 2,000 miles since cambelt change
The Appeal
Upon its debut in 1994 the new F355 was destined to be one of the standout models in a glittering portfolio.
With sleek lines penned by Pininfarina, combined with Paulo Martinelli’s newly upgraded V8 it is now recognised as the best looking and driving road going Ferraris of the 1990s.
With the V8 enlarged to 3.5 litres and treated to a five valve per cylinder head, combined with Bosch Motronic fuel injection, it produces an impressive 380hp, the highest output of any non-turbocharged car available at that time.
Capable of a heady 183 mph and with 60 mph coming in a mere 4.7 seconds it is still fast car even by modern standards.
Approximately 3,500 Spider models were sold, of which about 2,600 had the 6 speed manual gearbox which is the more desirable option.
With sleek lines penned by Pininfarina, combined with Paulo Martinelli’s newly upgraded V8 it is now recognised as the best looking and driving road going Ferraris of the 1990s.
With the V8 enlarged to 3.5 litres and treated to a five valve per cylinder head, combined with Bosch Motronic fuel injection, it produces an impressive 380hp, the highest output of any non-turbocharged car available at that time.
Capable of a heady 183 mph and with 60 mph coming in a mere 4.7 seconds it is still fast car even by modern standards.
Approximately 3,500 Spider models were sold, of which about 2,600 had the 6 speed manual gearbox which is the more desirable option.
History and Paperwork
- First registered in New York, USA in 1995 (supplied by Ferrier New york and shipped directly to first owners vacation home California)
- Imported into the UK in 2018
- History file with some US invoices
- MoT in 2018 at 40,965 miles
- MoT in 2021 at 41,897 miles
- Current MoT valid until September 2022
- Cambelt changed at 40,073 miles
- New dark blue hood
- Leather Owner’s Pack with manual and Service book
- V5c in only UK Owners name
The Interior
- Smart tan leather interior
- Clean tan carpets
- Well preserved condition
The tan interior of the Ferrari as aged rather well.
Cars of this era are known to suffer from “sticky button “syndrome, but we are pleased to report that the Ferrari has not succumbed to this! All the switches and buttons are clean and tidy. The dash is intact with no UV damage despite its previous life in the USA.
The instruments are clear and all appear to function correctly. There is slight wear on the driver’s seat that reminds us that it’s approaching its thirtieth birthday.
The seat has some pronounced creasing and wear to the side bolsters. All this would probably respond well to reconditioning and leather feeding. There are no rips or holes to the material.
The passenger seat has much less wear and is in much better condition. The matching tan carpets are clean and free of stains. The forward luggage area is clean and dry, and complete with its leather tool holder.
Cars of this era are known to suffer from “sticky button “syndrome, but we are pleased to report that the Ferrari has not succumbed to this! All the switches and buttons are clean and tidy. The dash is intact with no UV damage despite its previous life in the USA.
The instruments are clear and all appear to function correctly. There is slight wear on the driver’s seat that reminds us that it’s approaching its thirtieth birthday.
The seat has some pronounced creasing and wear to the side bolsters. All this would probably respond well to reconditioning and leather feeding. There are no rips or holes to the material.
The passenger seat has much less wear and is in much better condition. The matching tan carpets are clean and free of stains. The forward luggage area is clean and dry, and complete with its leather tool holder.
Overall the interior is very presentable with little wear; hardly surprising for a car that has covered just over 40,000 miles.
The Exterior
- Attractive Blu Swaters paintwork in great condition
- New Blue hood with excellent fit
- Lights upgraded to UK Spec
It’s always refreshing to see a Ferrari that isn’t red! Resplendent in its smart Blu Swaters Metallic paint the Ferrari look a cut above the red rabble!
The newly fitted dark blue hood replaced the original black one that had some sun fading, and we think it looks just right. The fit is excellent when up, and it folds neatly away, concealed beneath a tan hood cover. The cover itself has a little damaged where the tan colour has flaked away from the leather, but this again could be easily fixed.
The newly fitted dark blue hood replaced the original black one that had some sun fading, and we think it looks just right. The fit is excellent when up, and it folds neatly away, concealed beneath a tan hood cover. The cover itself has a little damaged where the tan colour has flaked away from the leather, but this again could be easily fixed.
The exterior blue metallic paint is exceptionally good; we examined the exterior closely to find any faults. There are a few minor stone chips on the nose and front bumper area as you would expect, but no other paint damage was found. The wheels are all clean and unmarked; no curb rash here! The tyres all have plenty of tread left. There are Hancook Ventus fitted to the front, and Sumitomo HTR ZIII on the rear.
The glass is all undamaged and the windows power up and down correctly as do the pop up headlights.
As you can see from the photographs the Ferrari presents well and looked gorgeous in the bright sunlight.
As you can see from the photographs the Ferrari presents well and looked gorgeous in the bright sunlight.
The Mechanics
- Drives beautifully
- New cambelt at 40,073 miles
- Service history book
The seller purchased the Ferrari from dealer in Miami in 2016 to use when visiting their house on the Gulf coast.
Having enjoyed driving there it he decided to ship it back to the UK and register it in 2018. Since then it has been driven occasionally, but too many cars and lack of time has resulted in a mere 1300 miles being added to the odometer over the past 4 years.
Having enjoyed driving there it he decided to ship it back to the UK and register it in 2018. Since then it has been driven occasionally, but too many cars and lack of time has resulted in a mere 1300 miles being added to the odometer over the past 4 years.
Opening the engine cover reveals a clean and dry bay, with no corrosion or drips. Looking underneath the Ferrari we can see further evidence of the low mileage and its previous life in a warm climate.
There is very little surface oxidation, and the chassis and floor pan are impressively clean and well preserved.
There is very little surface oxidation, and the chassis and floor pan are impressively clean and well preserved.
Summary
Ask a Ferrari expert which model of the 80s and 90s era would be the most desirable model in future years and the answer will always be the F355.
Far nicer to drive than the preceding 348, and better looking than the chunky 360 it retained the crisp, sleek and dainty lines that were familiar from Ferraris of earlier decades.
Combine these looks with more than adequate power and it was destined to be the one to have.
Unlike other models prices have never really dropped, and now the trend is likely to be upwards. Now’s your chance!
Far nicer to drive than the preceding 348, and better looking than the chunky 360 it retained the crisp, sleek and dainty lines that were familiar from Ferraris of earlier decades.
Combine these looks with more than adequate power and it was destined to be the one to have.
Unlike other models prices have never really dropped, and now the trend is likely to be upwards. Now’s your chance!
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