1996 Ferrari F355 GTS

The Ferrari F355 is 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 and Targa GTS burst onto the world stage in the spring of 1994. It had 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 an air flow channel that generated enough down-force to offset any lift.

The longitudinally mounted 3496cc V8 had a stunning 380 horsepower at a spine-tingling 8,250 rpm. The gearbox now had six speeds with a new type of synchromesh that made it much easier to shift. New electronically adjustable shock absorbers varied their stiffness within milliseconds to suit the road surface. Around Ferrari's 1.86 mile Fiorano test track the 355 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.

This particular F355 is a left-hand drive GTS model that was imported by Ferrari North America Inc.,and supplied new by Ferrari Dealership 6330 to its first owner, a Mr A.Bursteen on 6th June 1996. Finished in Nero Black with a black leather interior, this car has a much desired manual gearbox. A stamp in the service book by Penske Wynn Ferrari dated 19th October 2007 when the car had covered 28,422 miles, is supported by a service schedule report which gives a break-down of what would have been done to the car when it had its full service.

Our vendor purchased the car from the United States in 2013, importing it and gaining a UK V5c in the process. He immediately sent the car to his preferred Ferrari specialist, QV London, who have in the past looked after other Prancing Horses in his possession. Recorded at 30,828 miles at the time, a full cambelt service, MoT and sorting out of some other issues was necessary, and a bill for £2,391 is included in the file. The following year and less than 1,000 miles later, another service and MoT was carried out at QV London and in October 2015 the car was sent there again for its annual check-up. At the time of consignment, the car was due to head to QV London for a full health check before our vendor has one last hurrah in his pride and joy by driving her to the Le Mans Classic!

Supplied with a UK V5c, an MoT until 22nd October '16, a partial toolkit, and its leather book pack, this GTS, showing 33,567 miles on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, is an affordable route to F355 ownership and we urge potential bidders to come and have a look!