Thursday 22nd May 2014

Ferrari F355 Challenge: You Know You Want To

This 355 goes to auction this weekend; fancy a new track toy?

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This year marks two decades since the introduction of the Ferrari F355. Its 20th birthday is in fact a significant indicator of just where the junior Ferrari has come since the 1990s. Back then having three pedals was compulsory, every display was analogue and carbon ceramic brakes were unheard of in road cars. The baby Ferrari also had 200hp less than it does in 2014 also...

If it looked good on the outside...

So things have moved on quite a long way then, but that's not to say the F355 doesn't hold huge appeal. Prettier than the 360 that succeeded it and damn near anything else Ferrari has made, it's a highly covetable little thing. Using one of the most thrilling roadgoing V8 engines ever only adds to the appeal.

This one could be even more covetable than most. Made for the Ferrari Challenge back in 1996, it's an exceptionally rare RHD car. It is believed only 16 other similar cars were ever made. In 1997 it was registered for road use, which meant returning the brakes and springs to standard spec; you would imagine Ferrari could address those if required but this car still carries the roll cage, faster steering rack, lighter panels and Speedline wheels included in the Challenge pack. It was around 90kg lighter than a regular Berlinetta too.

Forza Italia!

However much this car sells for at auction, the interior has to be worth a fair chunk of the price. Just look at it! The competition wheel, the Recaros, the harnesses, the drilled pedals and the open-gate 'box create the perfect gentleman racer vibe. It's the SEGA game made real and it looks really rather wonderful. On top of that, the Challenge pack also included 'loud and quiet lightweight exhausts', ergo there's absolutely no excuse not to take it on as many tracks as possible.

Still need convincing? It was serviced recently and has an MOT until March so is literally ready to race. If you want. It will probably make a fabulous road car or occasional track toy as well. Furthermore with an estimate of £45-55,000, it's no more expensive than 'regular' F355s in the classifieds. And you want to you drive a F355 Challenge, right?

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FERRARI 355 CHALLENGE
Price: Auction (estimate £45-£55,000)
Why you should: It's a racing version of one of Ferrari's prettiest cars for relatively littleWhy you shouldn't: Too compromised for road use?

See the lot listing here and the full Silverstone Auctions catalogue here.

[Source: Wikipedia]

[V8 FOU]

Oh YES!!!


Just need to change the colour of those mirrors.....

Looks soooo good in white too.

[Boydie88]

If that does go for even the high end of it's estimate, surely that is only going to appreciate very well like the RHD 360CS.

[Fayaz LP640]

Estimate seems a little low. Even the boggo berlinetta seem to fetch around £55k these days, so I'd imagine this would go for a lot more than that, being what it is. Next to the £90k+ F355s Tom Hartley offers, it's a comparative bargain.

[krisdelta]

Very nice - one of the best YKYWT options I've seen, now all I need to do is sell that kidney I'm not using

[Sexual Chocolate]

Surely that estimate is way out?

[Dave Hedgehog]

lovely

also shows up how fugly the modern cars are with there giant grinning faces

[mnkiboy]

Dave Hedgehog said:

lovely

also shows up how fugly the modern cars are with there giant grinning faces

And the simple rear end with no diffuser in sight. I love a nicer rear end.

[myhandle]

A genuine road-legal Ferrari racing car - this is the category of car that has become worth millions. Seems super value.

[Busso GTA]

Lottery numbers come up pleeeease

[F1GTRUeno]

Remember when Ferrari's weren't goppingly horrible to look at?

[billzeebub]

F355 my favourite car ever. Sure this one will go for significantly more than the estimate

[Steven_RW]

V8 FOU said:

Oh YES!!!
Looks soooo good in white too.

It may be my PC monitor but it looks a strange minty white blue colour to me?

Overall it sounds like an ace fun car to own and get involved with. :-)

Regards,
Steven_RW

[Tuvra]

I'd make sure it was all white with standard or maybe anthracite coloured wheels.

[OllieC]

F1GTRUeno said:

Remember when Ferrari's weren't goppingly horrible to look at?

I'm glad someone else agrees with me on this

[J4CKO]

Needs darker wheels, no splashes of colour and perhaps lose the cheesy number plate.

I love the 355, it doesnt have the air of rich visitor to London about it that some do, being a challenge car and not being red it doesnt shout pampered like a lot do and I dont expect the driver is clad head to toe in Ferrari merchandise like some seem to, Ferraris look much better a little bit used.

[British Beef]

I wonder when was the engine last rebuilt, as my understanding with race cars is that it is required somewhat more frequently than road cars. A rebuild on one of these engines from a specialist I know is between £10k - £16k, depending on magnitude of "refreshment" required.

Otherwise I cant think of many nicer ways to spend £50k on 4 wheels!

[michaelcolby83]

The 355 was a great looking Ferrari, a great looking car full stop in fact, one of my all time favourite cars.

[sjabrown]

Price might not be far off. I think this one was advertised on PH, and sold, for less than <£36k a couple of years ago.


RHD, SD rollcage, road registered. I'm sure it's a 355 though apologies if wrong as I'm not up to speed on all the incarnations.

[cuda]

or this one...

http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/ferrari-308gts

[KarlMac]

Sigh.

Another reminder that I'm realistically never going to cross the 355 off my list.

Fingers cross the classic car bubble bursts.