Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 6 -
7 April 2018.
Estimates:
$125,000 - $150,000
Ferrari built just over 100 of these special 355s as a farewell to
the model line in 1999; this is number 6327,000 mile example
presented in Grigio TitanioRecent full service totaling around
$20,000Challenge grilles, Scuderia fender shields and a carbon
fiber center console, door sills and paddle shiftersNumerous
upgrades for this rare model, including a remapped ECU, competition
spec steering rack, thicker sway bar, wider track, and enhanced
braking
Shortly after the F355 Berlinetta was introduced, Ferrari released
a Spider variant that with over 500 additional hours of wind tunnel
testing and additional bracing produced astonishingly similar
performance figures to the closed car.
The standard 3,496-cc, 375-hp, 268-lb/ft, five valve per cylinder,
aluminum block V-8 engine in the F355 was a major technical
achievement and supplied stunning performance. Belt-driven dual
overhead camshafts and hydraulic tappets resulted in a valve train
that was unexpectedly quiet in operation - even up to its 8,500-rpm
redline. The 180-degree crankshaft, which produced equal firing
intervals on each cylinder bank for perfect exhaust timing, had a
firing order more like two straight-fours than the four V-twins of
a typical V-8 arrangement. On account of these innovations, the
F355 produced a sound like no other Ferrari.
Extensive chassis and aero tuning enabled the F355's suspension to
take the enormous power of its engine in stride. This was achieved
through an electronically managed variable shock-absorber system
that reads data from various sensors and adjusts damping forces to
control wheel movement. The driver could control the level of this
system or shut it off entirely from the cockpit of the car. As a
result, the F355 feels just at home in a high-speed corner as it
does on a rough city street. Also new was the TRW power-steering
system, which was a vast improvement over the stiff manual steering
of earlier Ferraris.
For 1999, Ferrari introduced a limited production of F355 Spider
models designated, "Serie Fiorano". Both the Serie Fiorano and the
F355's successor, the 360 Modena, were launched at the 1999 Geneva
Auto Show. This limited production run of 100 planned units (it is
reported that 104 actually were produced) included a number of
enhancements increasing the race track performance closer to the
Ferrari Challenge versions.
Among the features seen on the exclusive Serie Fiorano cars are
Competizione-derived Fiorano suspension pack, with wide track,
stiffer springs, lowered ride height and a stouter anti-roll bar;
cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs and competition brake pads
in red calipers; Competizione-sourced steering rack; Challenge rear
grilles; enameled Scuderia Ferrari shields; suede-covered steering
wheel; numerous carbon fiber elements such as inserts on the center
console and door sills.
It is reported that there were 100 Serie Fiorano units delivered to
the U.S. market. Among the equipment is a power top, power windows,
air conditioning, radio with CD and power assistance on the
aforementioned competition-oriented steering setup and four-wheel
disc braking system. The total production figure was expanded from
the intended 100 figure when an additional four units were produced
with three of them being European models and one with a South
African delivery. The American units were delivered with a numbered
plaque affixed to the dashboard.
The final F355 produced by Ferrari was a truly special car; it
topped a respected model line and will be remembered fondly in the
progression of Ferrari development. Benefitting from a recent major
service, this example is a must for collectors. With only 100 units
produced the Serie Fiorano is among the rarest of all contemporary
limited edition Ferrari's.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/FL18.
