• Year of manufacture 
    1996
  • Mileage 
    32 mi / 52 km
  • Car type 
    Convertible / Roadster
  • Drive 
    RHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Blue
  • Gearbox 
    Manual

Description

During the late 1960s came the first baby Ferrari in a long line of illustrious entry-level models, the mid-engined Dino. Evolving into the V8-engined 308 by 1975, 328's and 348's continued the baby Ferrari's reputation for pretty design and spirited performance. F355's were the fifth incarnations and from May 1994, offered as either a fixed head Berlinetta or Targa-topped GTS. These were joined by a Spider 12 months later while from 1997.

The F355's task was to be faster and easier to handle on the limit, the latter having been a regular bone of contention with 348 road testers. There was a new electronic damper control system that fed information on road speed, brake pressure, suspension loadings and steering into a computer that decided exactly how firm the dampers needed to be. Derived from lessons learnt with active suspension, the F355 system worked even better than the McLaren F1's and was accompanied by full underbody aerodynamics. This radically improved airflow beneath the car and increased stability at high speeds. Also very impressive was a new engine that could boast the highest output of any normally aspirated road car unit in history to that date, output was 380bhp at 8250rpm. Needless to say, the F355 was an exceptional performer, 0-60 in just 4.6 seconds and a 185mph top speed having been a quantum leap on the 348. Launched at the Geneva Salon during May 1994, the F355 caused a sensation and orders came flooding in. The gorgeous F355 Spider was introduced at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix during May 1995. The chassis was reinforced around the door gussets and windscreen pillars to minimise the torsional flex often associated with convertibles. Production continued in Berlinetta and GTS form until mid-1999, the Spider lasting a few months longer.

This UK-supplied manual 355 Spider was first delivered by Maranello Concessionaires in October 1997. Presented in Blu Tour de France over Crema, it is fitted with Nero carpets and matching dark blue soft top, this stunning colour combination is paired with the desirable and now sought after, open-gated manual gearbox.  Optioned from new with discreet Nero brake callipers behind the bright silver wheels and with this example, the 355's iconic profile uninterrupted by the rare enamel Scuderia shields factory fitted on the front wings.

Owned by the same keeper between 1999 and 2015, this 355 was purchased by the current owner in 2018 who immediately commissioned DK Engineering to undertake a thorough inspection and a no expense spared service and detailing exercise with bills totalling in excess of £20,000 since purchase.  The car has been used sparingly since.

Works completed in September 2018 (less than 750 miles ago) include full engine out cambelt service and replacement tensioner bearings, new water pump and associated hoses, complete set of replacement HT leads, new inner and outer drive shaft gaiters, new rear brake pads, steering rack rebuild, new front brake calliper pipes and brake ducting hoses, replacement battery and clutch master cylinder, hood mechanism overhaul, and AC re-gas.  Other cosmetic and detailing work undertaken at the same time includes a complete overhaul and detailing of engine bay whist engine removed including refinishing of cam covers, oil tank, exhaust heat shields and engine bay side panels, strip andcosmetic overhaul of suspension, anti-roll bars, subframe, rear end mechanicals and brakes, chemical power wash of all under body and wheel arch panels, refinish rear disc hub sections, and refinishing of all 4 alloy wheels which were also shod with 4 brand new Pirelli PZERO tyres.

A new Level 2 Capristo exhaust system was also fitted providing a close to standard 355 noise during more sedate running, and an orchestral chorus that will blow your mind when the car is driven in a more sporting fashion.

In September 2020, and just 750 miles later, the car was treated to a further annual service including full mechanical inspection and road test before being placed back into our dry storage facility with 32,400 miles on the clock.

This stunning 355 is therefore on the button and ready to be enjoyed by its new custodian, and available for viewing at our showrooms outside London immediately.

Please refer to our main website www.dke.co.uk for full details, additional photos, our terms of sale and accurate pricing as some websites may use out of date currency exchange rates: https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/1260/prestige_cars/ferrari_355_spider.html