The Ferrari F355 was launched at the Geneva Auto Salon in 1994. The car followed on from the much-maligned Ferrari 348TB with a brief to be a much smoother, more reliable but downright faster supercar. Displacement on the V8 engine was increased to 3.5 litres with 5 valves per cylinder (denoted by the final 5 in its name), which helped the engine rev on to its 8500rpm red line and produce 375bhp. Evo magazine describes the exhaust note as ‘a howl wrapped up in a bark and enclosed in a shriek’ whatever that may mean, it sounds truly great.

The Ferrari 355 Spider came a year after the Berlinetta and from 1997 both cars were offered with either the manual or the new F1 paddle-shift gearbox allowing drivers to channel their inner Schumacher. However, the early F1 semi-automatic transmissions were understandably not the smooth but lightning fast double clutch system available on today’s supercars. The manual ‘box available on this car is undoubtedly the one to have; the click-clack of the stainless steel manual gate is perhaps even more iconic than the howl of a flat-plane-crank Italian V8 and has the satisfying rifle bolt feel that is so widely admired.

The Ferrari 355 Spider for sale here is a fantastic example. Originally delivered to Kentucky in September 1996, the car has had just 3 owners from new and has been used sparingly, reading just 13,000 miles. Service records indicate the car has been carefully looked after by reputable Ferrari Specialists Lake Forest Sportscars in Chicago as well as independent garages by its subsequent owners. Since being imported from the States in early 2018, the car has had its annual service by Meridian Modena who found no major work necessary.

This Ferrari 355 Spider is in immaculate condition, looking almost brand new inside and with impeccable feel and handling.