1996 Ferrari F355

3496cc V8 with a stunning 380bhpat a spine-tingling 8250rpmAround Ferrari's 1.86 mile Fiorano test track the 355 was two seconds a lap faster than the 12-cylinder 512 TRFinished in Rosso Corsa and Cremawith a desirable 6-speed manual gearboxUK-supplied, right-hand drive with just 30,700 milesOwned by our privateer vendor for 13 yearsServiced/maintained by renowned marque specialist Bob HoughtonThe Ferrari F355 is now considered a modern classic, so beautiful, so well-engineered and so well received that it marked the beginning of the end of the old-guard Ferraristi' philosophy that the only "real" Ferraris were ones with 12-cylinder engines. The Ferrari F355 Berlinetta burst onto the world stage in the Spring of 1994, with the Targa GTS and Spider being launched in 1995. With almost exactly the same dimensions as its predecessor the 348, yet it was virtually a new car, as its stunning coachwork indicated. Many hours of wind tunnel testing influenced the harmonious shape which incorporated an F1 style flat bottom with channelled airflow generating enough down-force to offset any lift.The Ferrari F355s name is derived from its 3.5-litre V8 engine and five valves per cylinder - as denoted by the Cinquevalvole inscription on the rocker covers. This longitudinally-mounted engine produces a stunning 374bhp at a spine-tingling 8250rpm. The con-rods are titanium alloy, the clutch is housed in magnesium alloy, and the Bilstein shock absorbers use electronic sensors to provide active damping. In 1994, the Ferrari F355 was a technological tour de force. Around Ferrari's 1.86-mile Fiorano test track, the F355 was two seconds a lap faster than the 12-cylinder, 512 TR and that level of performance combined with its sensational shape made it a worldwide success story.The car presented here is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive, 1996 F355 Spider, fitted with the more desirable manual gearbox. It was delivered new and first registered by Ferrari main dealers, Maranello Sales Ltd. to themselves on 26th March 1996 when the list price was 98,700 plus delivery, number plates and road tax. Unusually, it was specified with the red stitching which was to later become a 152.75 option. Asa Maranello Sales Ltd. demonstrator, the car benefits from the later Bosch Motronic 5.2 ignition/injection system, a smoother accelerator pedal action, the factory inbuilt alarm system, a modified exhaust, and twin airbags.The car was subsequently sold by Mark Hawkins of Maranello Sales Ltd. to the second owner, a Mr Christopher Klein of Surrey, on 8th October 1997, with 5,009 recorded miles for 102,000!Within the history file, there are Maranello Sales Ltd. service invoices from 1999, when the car was owned by a Mr John Radley of Surrey, who latterly had it serviced by Kent High Performance Cars, who subsequently bought it from him in 2004 before, in turn, selling it to Jane Knight of Sussex, on 14th March2004, at13,438 miles. The next owner was a Mr Stephen Cole, also of Sussex, who bought the car in January 2005, with some 15,000 recorded miles. Because of work commitments, Mr Cole barely used the car, with our vendor acquiring it soon afterwards.He has enjoyed a further 15,000 miles in it, whilst maintainingits excellent servicerecord, always entrusting it to marque specialists, Bob Houghton.Summary (of main events):August 2019 - 30,651 miles - Engine-out cam belt service plus extrasJuly 2018 - 30,375 miles - Oil service plus extrasAugust 2017 - 29,914 miles - Oil service plus new springs etc.July 2016 - 29,357 miles - New clutch master cylinderMarch 2016 - 29,325 miles - Engine-out cam belt service plus brake pads and engine bay detailingSeptember 2015 - 29,222 miles - New spark plugsMay 2015 - 28,957 miles - Annual serviceMay 2014 - 28,303 miles - Annual service and brake padsMay 2013 - 26,624 miles - Engine-out serviceMay 2012 - 25,743 miles - Annual serviceApril 2010 - 23,270 miles - Engine out serviceJuly 2008 - 19,587 miles - Annual serviceJune 2008 - 18,429 miles - Renewal of battery and brake hosesMay 2007 -16,690 miles - Engine-out serviceIn addition, all the rubber coated switches, handles, buttons and vents were sent to the USA to be recoveredsome four years ago.This splendid car is supplied with its factory original handbook, service book, wallet, two sets of original keys and tools.Just 454 right-hand drive F355 Spiders were imported into the UK by Maranello Concessionairesand only 315 had the six-speed manual gearbox like this car. This is a simply superb example of one of the most revered and sought-after Ferrari models of the modern era. **(Registration 'L111 TRM'will not come with car; it should revert back to its original registration of 'N664 OGC')**(Additional photos to follow soon)