The Ferrari F355 (Type 129) was manufactured from May 1994 until 1999 with 11273 cars produced making it one of Ferrari’s most successful models at the time. The F355 certainly received rave reviews that guaranteed its future classic status with Mr J Clarkson famously stating in 1995 that it was “the greatest car in the world ever” and in fact he went on to buy one himself. The F355 was available in 3 body styles, Berlinetta (closed coupe), GTS (removable roof panel) and Spider. Of the 4915 Berlinettas built only 496 were supplied with RHD and 75.8% of total production had the legendary and desirable 6 speed open gate manual gearbox.
All cars were fitted with the same 5 valve per cylinder flat plane crank V8 displacing 3.5 litres generating a maximum power output 380 PS (279 kW; 375 hp) at 8,250 rpm and 363 Nm (268 lbft) of torque at 6,000 rpm. Up to the end of the 1995 model year the cars were fitted with the Bosch Motronic 2.7 engine control unit. This was in effect two completely separate ignition and fuel systems each operating on one bank of the V8. From 1996 until the end of production the engine was fitted with the Bosch Motronic 5.2 engine control unit which utilised one ignition and fuel system for the whole engine and gave slightly smoother running and improved economy.
Moving onto this particular car, it was supplied new to Mr R.T. on 25 October 96 by Reg Vardy, Tyne and Wear and is the perfect specification of a RHD Rosso Corse Berlinetta fitted with the 6-speed open gated manual transmission and Black leather interior. Being a 1996 car it is fitted with the later 5.2 Bosch Motronic equipped engine. It also has a Capristo Stage 1 exhaust fitted which sounds brilliant.
There is a very comprehensive service history, stack of maintenance invoices and old MOTs with the car. This includes details of regular annual services and the 4 yearly Cam Belt services. The history details work done by some of the best Ferrari specialists. As expected the leather owners book pouch and manuals are complete as is the original Ferrari tool kit.
The car was bought in October 2006 by the previous owner and there is an extensive Pre-Purchase Inspection report done when he purchased the car with 28917 miles. He kept the car fully serviced and maintained and used the car regularly taking the mileage to 71500 in 2012. The car was then placed in long term storage until 2017 when it was purchased by the current owner who has completed 4500 miles in the car and has been diligently working through the car servicing and repairing items to bring it back to top condition after its period of storage.
In 2011 the previous owner had the exhaust manifolds refurbished and strengthened dealing with one of the known weaknesses of the F355 model where the exhaust manifold crack as the original shaped metal is too thin. In addition to regular servicing the current owner has addressed the following issues since 2017;
– Full Service and Cam Belt change in 2017
– Hill Engineering upgraded Cam Belt tensioners fitted
– New clutch
– All Bilstein shocks re-built by Bilstein and new springs fitted including new wishbone bushes at the rear
– New coil packs and spark plug leads
– Replaced brake pads and discs
– Replaced Sports Cats and Capristo Stage 1 rear box fitted
– New steering rack as an inspection showed a tiny amount of play in the original rack
– Full alignment and geometry done after fitting steering rack and suspension work
– Radiators replaced with new “Challenge” specification fans fitted. These are noisier but generated a much larger airflow through the radiators than the standard fans
– Finally a new set of the original specification Pirelli tyres were fitted.
Unlike many Ferrari’s this car has been regularly driven and enjoyed taking the mileage to 75000 miles, but it has been diligently maintained and drives superbly feeling like the properly maintained F355 that it is. The worst thing for these cars is lack of use.
The leather interior shows a nice patina and no serious wear, the dash board does not show any leather shrinkage and rarely for a Ferrari of this era there are no sticky plastic surfaces. The red carpets are in excellent condition and the whole interior has the feel of a well cared for car.
The car has had paint in its life to address the paint cracks and corrosion that affect the buttress wing interface on all 355s and to address stone chips on the nose. However, the paint presents very well and even the wear plates below the front spoiler are correctly painted.
The magnesium wheels are immaculate with new Ferrari centre badges fitted and a new set of the original specification Pirelli tyres.
If you buy an incredibly low mileage “collectors” quality Ferrari you are going to be afraid to drive it and add to the mileage reducing its “collectability” this means it doesn’t get driven which experience shows leads to more maintenance issues through lack of use. Whereas, with this car you can actually drive and enjoy it without worrying about the additional miles affecting its value. What a great car and a great prospect for Sunday morning blasts and longer road trips!!
Year : 1996
Price : £69 950
