1995 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta to Challenge Specification

• An original manual right-hand drive F355 Berlinetta built to 'Challenge Specification' by respected marque specialist QV London in 2017
• Road registered and supplied with a UK V5c and a spare set of black Challenge wheels
• Eligible for AMOC Intermarque series or CSCC Modern Classics Series and possibly Ferrari Owners Club Pirelli Ferrari Classic series
• Whilst genuine Challenge cars are now starting to command a high premium, this car built to spec provides a perfect alternative

In 1995, Ferrari introduced a race-ready F355 Challenge model designed for use specifically in the Ferrari Challenge Series. The bespoke model was created by starting with a standard Ferrari F355 Berlinetta and modifying it with a $30,000 factory-to-dealer supplied kit.

Although not an original F355 Challenge car, this particular right-hand drive 1995 F355 Berlinetta was imported from Japan by QV London Ltd to be used as a basis to build a race car to Ferrari Challenge-specification plus. It had covered some 11,000 road miles when the build commenced and the only mileage since has been covered on track.

Finished in Rosso Corsa with gloss black Challenge wheels, the bodywork was modified to include; carbon fibre front wings and bonnet, a safety roll cage to Challenge plus specification incorporating additional rear struts fabricated and fitted through the rear screen, which involved modifying the engine cover to locate the rear of the cage to the tops of the rear suspension towers. The car looks striking with its new fixed, Testarossa-style, front headlights with Lexan light covers, together with single centre-park windscreen wiper and adjustable carbon rear wing.

The interior was completely stripped and two original Ferrari 360 Challenge seats sourced along with in-date 6-point harnesses. The dashboard was replaced with a bespoke carbon fibre unit with new race instruments and dials, whilst the centre console was removed and replaced with an alloy switch plate. The gear gate was fabricated with a hinged reverse gear lock-out lever fitted to the gear selector. Lightweight door cards were fitted along with fixed Lexan side windows. A new race pedal-box with adjustable dash-mounted brake-bias adjuster was fitted along with a hydraulic handbrake. The original front windscreen was retained in the cabin and a new race battery was mounted in the front luggage compartment.

The engine and gearbox have been rebuilt and refreshed where necessary with Challenge engine mounts, race catalytic converters, and a Motec ECU have been fitted together, along with a custom race exhaust (100 DB), larger oil cooler, uprated fan covers and throttle bodies. Oil and coolant catch-tanks fitted along with a gearbox oil cooler. The engine has completed less than 12 hours racing since its build.

The suspension has been built to Challenge specification and settings with new springs and adjustable dampers while stopping power is provided by Challenge-spec Brembo callipers, race pads, and grooved ventilated steel discs, while the ABS has been removed and new servos fitted. A power-steering rack has been fitted together with a detachable steering wheel. For safety, the car has interior and exterior engine kill switches fitted and a fire system with an in-date extinguisher mounted in the front luggage compartment.

There are 2 sets of Challenge wheels freshly painted gloss black, fitted with Pirelli P Zero 'Trofeo' race tyres (one set used at one race meeting and the other for two race meetings) and new Challenge magnesium wheel studs.

Unlike most race cars, this car is in fact registered with the DVLA and does have a UK V5c. Not MOTd currently, it would need to be MOT tested to ensure its fully road legal. Weighing in at 1,300 kg with a half fuel load this car has since competed in the AMOC Intermarque Championship and also the CSCC Modern Classic series, in both of which it would be welcome again in the future. It is also understood that the car is eligible for the Ferrari Owners Club Pirelli Ferrari Classic series. Other commitments for our vendor mean that it has not raced in 2019, but he informs us that it is ready to go.

Whilst genuine F355 Challenge cars now appear to be rising in value, this well-built F355 race car to Challenge-specification would have cost a considerable sum of money to build and is the perfect alternative. If you have always wanted to race a Ferrari, this is undoubtedly a very sensible option.