1996 Ferrari F355 GTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

The Ferrari F355 is a landmark car, representing the point at Maranello moved its mid-engined V8 concept away from the classic era and towards a new generation that continued with the 360, 430 and beyond. 

Superbly presented in the timeless combination of Rossa Corsa with a black leather interior, this particular GTS was first registered on 8 January 1996 and specified with the incredibly rare carbon fibre Sport seats, which are both lighter and more supportive than the standard seats.

By the time it was acquired in June 2000 by a new owner who traded-in their Porsche 911 Carrera 4 as part of the deal, the Ferrari had covered 9158 miles. Its history file contains invoices documenting its service history, and its mileage had risen to 24,055 when it had a cambelt service at Exeter main dealer Carrs in 2004. 

Having been in the ownership of the same enthusiast since 2007, the Ferrari has been used sparingly in recent years and kept in professional dehumidified storage. Between 2009 and 2019, it covered less than 1000 miles and its total now stands at just under 30,000.

The Ferrari has received regular maintenance during that time, and in May 2023 it was entrusted to Silverstone-based marque specialist Keys Motorsport. Not only were the cambelts replaced, along with the all-important tensioner bearings, but new cam-cover gaskets were fitted. Sections of interior trim that were suffering from the common problem of going ‘sticky’ were refurbished, and the evocative gear-lever surround was replaced.All of this work has resulted in a Ferrari F355 GTS that’s being offered for sale in superb condition, and which is supplied complete with a full set of books in their original leather wallet. Its removable targa-style roof panel means that it combines the versatility of the GTB with the open-air exhilaration of the Spider, and it’s ready to be used and enjoyed by its next owner.

MODEL HISTORY  

Launched in 1994, the Ferrari F355 was the latest in a line of mid-engined V8 sports cars that stretched back to the Bertone-styled 308 GT4, which had been launched 21 years earlier under the Dino brand. 

The intention with the F355 was to improve its usability without comprising performance. It was fitted with an updated 3495cc V8 engine that gained five-valve cylinder heads and produced 375bhp at a heady 8250rpm – its specific output of 109bhp per litre bettered even that of the McLaren F1. 

A rod-operated gearchange replaced the 348’s cable system, power steering was added, and the seductive Pininfarina-designed bodywork was refined using extensive wind-tunnel testing. The 0-60mph sprint was dispatched in less than five seconds, and its top speed was officially quoted as being 183mph.

At first, only the Berlinetta body style was offered, but in 1995 that was joined by the Spider and the GTS; the latter featured a targa-style removeable roof panel that could be stored behind the seats. In 1997 came the addition of the revolutionary Formula 1-derived semi-automatic gearbox. A world first for a road car, it used a ‘paddle shift’ electro-hydraulic operating system for the otherwise conventional six-speed gearbox.

When Autocar tested an F355 against an Aston Martin DB7 in 1994, the magazine said that it was ‘the work of a marque that knows it makes the best sports cars in the world, but still shocks the rest with the depths of its brilliance.’In total, more than 11,000 F355s were built before it was replaced by the 360 in 1999.