1998 Ferrari 355 F1 Berlinetta

Highlights

• 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V8

• F1 6-speed transmission with paddleshift

• Just 33,301 miles on the clock, verified

• Very comprehensive service record

• Rosso Corsa paintwork over Nero leather

Overview

The end of the 90s was a funny old time. It genuinely felt like the beginning of a new, incredibly exciting era. A new millennium was just around the corner, and they don’t roll around so often (oh no, this is going to be one of those articles, isn’t it? – Ed).

Ask anyone of *ahem* a certain age about this period and they’re likely to get all misty eyed and bang on about No Scrubs, and how they were Pretty Fly (for a white guy). The Matrix exploded into popular culture, George Lucas ruined childhoods with The Phantom Menace and trousers were baggy. Really, really baggy.

But something that really prods our nostalgia button is the memory of pumping 20p pieces into Sega’s F355 Challenge at the local arcade (ask your parents). Or thrilling to the near arcade perfect conversions on the PS2 and Dreamcast. Ah, hazy days. (The car. Remember there’s a CAR. – Ed)

Which brings us circuitously but neatly to the glorious machine before us. It’s like it’s been pulled directly from those arcade screens, glimmering and intoxicating in its Rosso Corsa finish, low, wide and incredibly well styled. It’s the car we dreamed of in our late teens and early twenties, only it’s here and we can buy it. Well, you can, we’re not allowed because of reasons.

And buy it you should. The 355 Berlinetta is a stunningly realised machine – many consider it one of the finest machines ever to leave Maranello. However, finding a well cared for, beautifully maintained example can be tricky. Of course, here at PH Towers, we pride ourselves on taking the hard work out of your dream car search. Which is why you can trust us when we tell you that this example is an absolute cracker. 

The service history is incredibly well detailed and extensive, with 24 recorded services, 8 of which were cambelt services, with a fresh set of belts fitted just over 1,000 miles ago and a service just carried out. Overall mileage is nice and low, the MOT is fresh and the condition is spot on inside and out. If you’re looking for style, collectibility, driving pleasure and pure class, then a 355 is definitely the way to go. This isn’t a gaudy, showy, bewinged new money bauble. No, it’s a beautifully refined and quietly understated Pininfarina designed gem. A connoisseur’s car.

If you subscribe to the belief that peak car was probably in the late 90s or early 00s as many of us do, then as one of the finest cars to come from that period, you cannot ignore the F355.

Just remember that you can’t simply stuff another 20p in if you put it in a hedge… (A word, please. – Ed)

History and documentation

• First registered December 1998

• At some stage it has been silver with a blue interior but the seller reports that a previous owner decided that the current colour scheme suited it better

• Just 33,301 miles on the clock, verified by the service and MOT records

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 8 October 2026 – excellent MOT record with no advisories since 2021

• Serviced and maintained by Ferrari main dealers and marque specialists

• Stamped service book with services as follows: September 1999 @ 7,200 miles; September  2001 @ 12,556 miles; February 2002 @ 9,457 miles; August 2002 @ 13,171 miles; July 2004 @ 16,320 miles (included cambelts); July 2005 @ 18,619 miles; August 2006 @ 20,085 miles; December 2007 @ 22,811 miles (included cambelts); December 2008 @24,501 miles; March 2010 @ 25,372 miles; July 2011 @ 25,977 miles; May 2012 @ 26,647 miles; May 2013 @ 27,957 miles; May 2014 @ 28,682 miles; May 2015 @ 29,628 miles; October 2016 @ 29,564 miles; November 2017 @ 30,310 miles; December 2018 @ 30,526; January 2019 @ 30,540 miles; November 2020 @ 30,981 miles; November 2021 @ 31,727 miles; June 2023 @ 32,280 miles (included cambelts); August 2024 @ 32,860 miles; October 2025 @ 33,259 miles

• The seller reports that the following services all involved cambelt changes: 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2023

• Current owner since September 2022, 10 former owners

• Full document pack, including 2 service books

• A good collection of invoices for servicing and maintenance

• Two keys and fobs

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Ferrari trickle charger

• Red Ferrari seat covers, steering wheel cover and external dust cover for storage

Interior

• Black leather upholstery, presented in excellent condition, with some very gentle patination to the seats, but no tearing, sagging or damage we could see

• Black carpets, which present very well with no staining or threading on show

• The headlining is a grey fabric and looks to be taut and unmarked, with no tears or staining

• Electrically operated windows and door mirrors

• Air conditioning

• Period styled Alpine CD/radio with DAB+ and Bluetooth connectivity

• Lockable storage box integrated into the space between the seat backs

• All of the internal trim looks to be in very good order, with nothing missing, broken or significantly worn as far as we could discern

• The main controls and touchpoints are similarly well kept, with the lightest wear in evidence

• The main instrument binnacle is clear and in fine condition, as are the factory ancillary dials in the centre of the dash

• At the front of the car there is a generous ‘frunk’ space, enough for a couple of overnight bags – it also contains the original Ferrari toolkit in its brown leather case

• The vendor informs us that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no faults or issues reported

Exterior

• The car was reprayed in Rosso Corsa in 2009

• The paintwork is in excellent condition, without any notable marks, scuffs or major blemishes

• We noted a few stone chips at the front and a couple along the sides and skirts, but nothing that isn’t commensurate with the car’s age and mileage

• In January 2024 the vendor had the car graphene coated to protect the paintwork

• The bodywork is in very fine fettle, with no damage, corrosion or panel misalignment that we could discern

• Those iconic pop-up lights are present and correct, popping and dropping just as they should

• The external badges and trim pieces all look to be present and correct, being free from UV damage and warping

• All of the glass elements and light lenses are in good order, showing clear and clean, with no evidence we could see of notable chipping, cracking or misting

• The wheels are the original 18-inch magnesium items, finished in silver and looking to be in excellent overall condition, with no apparent lacquer peel or kerb damage

• A matched set of Pirelli P-Zero tyres (225/40 front and 265/40 rear) adorn the wheels, which look to have good tread depth and are free from obvious sidewall damage

Mechanical

• 3,496cc naturally-aspirated V8, dry-sumped and mounted midships

• F1 6-speed paddle shift transmission

• Rear-wheel drive

• Factory performance figures: 374bhp, 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, 183mph top speed

• Sport mode

• The engine bay is very well presented, being clean and tidy with no evidence we could identify of leaks, damage or any other issues

• Excellent service and MOT records

• Recent service (October 2025)

• Cambelts changed in June 2023 @ 32,280 miles

• The vendor notes a very slight oil weep, which they have been told is from a seal and is best dealt with the next time the cambelts are changed

• As you’d expect, the engine sounds magnificent

• The vendor tells us that the car starts, idles, drives and stops just as it should, with no mechanical issues or concerns reported

Summary

In our imaginary garage of ‘the 10 greatest Ferraris of all time”, there would always be a space for a 355. It’s the epitome of a mid-engined Ferrari: beautifully proportioned, designed and detailed; exquisite to drive and properly quick, even by modern standards.

This example really hits the sweet spot too, being very well cared for and maintained and presented in very fine condition. Whether you’re looking to start a collection of Ferraris, fill a gap in an existing collection or simply want to enjoy one of the greatest cars from the 20th century, we can’t recommend this delightful machine enough.

Okay, fine, so it costs a smidge more than a Dreamcast and a copy of F355 Challenge, but good gravy you’ll have exponentially more fun in this. Just don’t forget to wear your Vans and baggy trousers. Venga Boys CD optional… 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Rugby, Warwickshire.