Ferrari 355 F1 1998 - Berlinetta 2dr

0 Previous Owners, This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2025 on Saturday the 8th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. , The Ferrari F355 is a modern classic, so beautifully proportioned and so meticulously engineered that it signalled a turning point in the marque’s philosophy, proving that a mid-engined V8 could be every bit as thrilling as a 12-cylinder Ferrari. Launched in the spring of 1994, the F355 Berlinetta combined the familiar dimensions of its predecessor, the 348, with virtually every component reimagined. Its sensuous coachwork was honed in the wind tunnel, creating a harmonious, aerodynamically efficient shape that incorporated a flat-bottom undertray and airflow channels to generate meaningful downforce, while retaining an timeless look that has rarely been surpassed.Beneath its stunning skin, the longitudinally mounted 3,496cc V8 delivered a spine-tingling 380bhp at 8,250rpm, making it one of the most rev-happy, engaging engines of the era. Torque was delivered eagerly across a broad band, while a 6-speed manual gearbox with a revised synchromesh made gear shifts far smoother than its predecessor. Complementing this was a new electronically adjustable suspension, which varied damping rates in milliseconds to suit the road surface, and power-assisted steering that made the car more approachable in everyday driving. On Ferrari’s 1.86-mile Fiorano test track, these improvements saw the F355 lap two seconds faster than the V12 512 TR, proving the car’s capability both as a road-going thoroughbred and a performance benchmark.Supplied new to the UK by Mortimer Houghton Turner Ltd on 20th March 1998, this right-hand drive example is finished in Rosso Corsa with a Nero Black leather interior and matching carpets, combining one of the most celebrated Ferrari colourways with a beautifully restrained cabin. The car was acquired from Iconic Auctioneers in 2017 by an esteemed collector whose private collection included a host of ultra-low mileage and historically significant cars, all housed in a temperature-controlled environment. It remained in that collection, preserved with meticulous care and only exercised lightly, which has contributed to its exceptionally low mileage. Crucially they were able to put the car 'in trade', so the V5C still shows zero former keepers.The early service history is both complete and highly detailed. The book was stamped on 9th January 2006 by Alan Aston Motor Engineers of Evesham when the car had covered just 2,501 miles. At that service, the car received a full cambelt replacement along with brake and clutch fluid renewal, totalling £2,708. Further maintenance and rectification work was recorded in 2008 with Dick Lovett Swindon, invoiced at £2,984, and again in 2010 for air-conditioning compressor overhaul and detailing. Despite its low mileage in recent years, the car remains in good mechanical order, running and driving nicely, although we would recommend that any prospective purchaser commission a mechanical once over before returning it to regular road use.This F355 Berlinetta remains a true analogue Ferrari, sitting on the cusp between the old hand-built traditions and the digitally assisted modern era. It embodies everything that has made Ferrari’s V8 cars such desirable classics: emotive design, a rev-happy engine, and an engaging manual gearbox. It is a car that rewards both spirited driving and careful appreciation, with every curve and detail reflecting the marque’s relentless pursuit of excellence.Accompanied by the full tool kit, tyre inflator, bespoke car cover, and leather book pack containing all manuals, this F355 is now showing what we believe to be a genuine 7,095 miles. Ultra-low mileage, ultra-low ownership in the hands of a renowned collector, and the iconic Rosso Corsa over Nero combination make it one of, if not the finest examples available in the UK.In summary, this Ferrari F355 Berlinetta is a rare opportunity to acquire a truly collectable, low-mileage, analogue Ferrari, with excellent presentation, outstanding provenance, and the sort of desirability that will only increase as the market appreciates these mid-engined V8s for the future classics that they undoubtedly are. It is a car to admire, enjoy, and cherish for its engineering purity, aesthetic beauty, and the emotive driving experience it provides. Estimated keenly, your inspection is welcome and invited.