Vehicle Description
Asking a car guy about their dream car is always a risky
proposition. Some may gravitate towards one particular model
without hesitation, but most of us will only respond with
questions. What era? What country of origin? What price range? It's
a complex topic. One thing is for sure though - start asking about
European cars and you'll eventually end up talking about Ferraris.
When it comes to blending speed, exclusivity and pure
one-upmanship, few marques do it better. This 1997 Ferrari F355
Spider is a quintessential high performance drop-top that bridges
the gap between modern Maranello masterpieces and timeless Italian
collectibles. And if you're ready to bring home an immaculately
maintained fantasy sports car, it's a perfect candidate for your
next classic!
BODYWORK/TRIM
As far as looks go, you'd better be an extrovert, or an introvert
with a strong desire to switch teams, if you're planning on taking
this Spider home. It certainly grabs attention, firing up
conversations wherever it's driven. That appeal begins with the
car's classic Ferrari proportions, only to be elevated by requisite
Rosso corsa paint and a tight cloth roof. Judging by its clean
CarFax report, the small amount of road time this drop-top has seen
was likely executed during sunny, drama-free weather. And the car's
sculpted body displays precise fit and excellent finish under
ancillary hardware that functions well and seals great.
Combining whittled sheetmetal and crisp trim with a buttoned down
stance and clean, modern detailing, this awesome Spider is the
product of over 1,800 hours of wind tunnel testing. At the front of
the car's Pininfarina-penned body, Ferrari's trademark grille hangs
a chrome horse between bright driving lamps, clean marker lamps and
retractable headlamps. Behind those lights, tinted mirrors reflect
small markers, smooth doors and aggressive cooling coves. Above
those vents, a short hood anchors monochromatic wipers in front of
like-new glass and a striking Tan convertible cowl. And behind that
cover, a louvered tail panel anchors a functional Nolder profile
above clean taillights, simple ornamentation and a sculpted bumper
that centers a functional diffuser above polished exhaust tips.
ENGINE
Naturally, all that visual testosterone is backed up with plenty of
power from the engine room. In 3.5 liter guise, Maranello's
familiar Tipo F129B V8 benefits from significant upgrades that make
the F355 a very impressive performer. For starters, the block was
bored an extra 2mm and bolted to new 5-valve cylinder heads. Forged
titanium connecting rods nicely complement dry-sump lubrication.
And a Bosch Motronic ECU maximizes efficiency between the car's
ignition and electronic fuel injection. Those tweaks result in
impressive 11 to 1 compression and a stout 375 horsepower. And, in
typical Ferrari fashion, this convertible sounds as fierce as a
racer. In addition to a lifetime of excellent maintenance, this
drop-top recently benefitted from a 30K-mile, engine-out service
that was completed by GT Motorsports of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. That
service began with deep improvements like new fuel injectors, a new
battery, new cam seals, a new water pump and a new crank seal. With
that work completed, new belts, new plugs, new fluids and new
filters joined a new thermostat, recalibrated cam timing and a
recalibrated ECM. To finish things off, GT installed new hood
struts, refinished the car's valve covers and acid washed the car's
engine. And, as you might imagine, the silky powerplant looks, revs
and performs almost as good as the day it left the factory!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Under the car, wind-cheating panels conceal a roster of
technologically forward components. A steel monocoque frame rides a
fully independent suspension that features both "Comfort" and
"Sport" settings. That driving experience is augmented with
optional power steering. And that steering complements
power-assisted discs, which, like this Ferrari's cooling system and
clutch system, were completely flushed during the aforementioned
service. To many purists, proper sports cars require proper manual
transmissions, and this Spider's gated 6-speed is about as proper
as they come. That gearbox gets the car talking through a stainless
Capristo exhaust, which plants trick butterfly valves between new
vacuum lines, new O2 sensors and new catalytic converters. And at
the corners, Ferrari 360 Challenge wheels spin 225/35ZR19 Michelin
Pilot Sport A/S 3s in front of 275/30ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
3s.
INTERIOR
No matter how many times you crawl in to a sports car, there's
always a sense of excitement. This Spider takes that energy even
further with classy Connolly Leather surfacing. Passengers occupy
supportive, asymmetrical buckets that position the driver slightly
closer to the car's centerline. Between those seats, a
leather-wrapped console founds a gated shifter amid modern Alpine
audio and factory climate control. At the base of that island,
plush carpet frames aluminum foot pedals. The driver carves curves
through a leather-wrapped steering wheel. And throughout the plush
cockpit you'll find the usual assortment of safety and convenience
features, including power windows, power door locks and dual front
airbags.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
The car's original Owner's Manual (with leather case)
Original factory accessory literature
Recent service records
A Ferrari work light
A few spare parts
Ferraris are legendary automobiles, and the F355 is, to some, one
of the last proper Ferraris. Driven a mere 27,052 miles in roughly
20 years, this clean drop-top walks the fine line between properly
maintained and carefully preserved. Ready to be the proud owner of
an uncompromising thrill machine that's rooted in a rich history of
high-performance? Step right up and check out this awesome
F355!
SUMMARY
3-owner car that's logged only 27,052 miles
Recently benefitted from a professional, 30K-mile service / Service
invoices included with the car's sale
3.5 liter Tipo F129B V8 / 375 horsepower
6-speed manual transmission
Connolly Leather interior / Modern audio
19-inch Ferrari 360 Challenge wheels
Stainless Capristo exhaust system / Vacuum-actuated mufflers
Optional power steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
Rosso corsa paint / Black cloth top
