When it comes to hair-raising soundtracks, the 3.5-litre V8 of the F355 is surely as good as it gets in the world of V8 berlinettas. Each successive mid-engined Ferrari has received more power and – up to the 9,000rpm 458 Speciale – more revs. But none have emulated the scintillating scream of the atmospheric F129, which was conceived in an era of equally musical Ferrari F1 machinery, and when 380hp made for a suitably exotic supercar.
Today, an F355 wouldn’t know which way an AMG A45 S went in a straight dogfight, but that’s beside the point. The 1994 belinetta delivers the sort of delicacy which makes lap times an afterthought. So visceral is the experience that two minutes on the open road is sufficient to unearth its obvious talent - not least because by modern standards its limits are relatively low.
Weighing in at 1,350kg, early road test reports praised the F355 for feeling light on its toes, even if accompanying pictures show period appropriate body roll and pitch. Unsurprisingly, the engine begs for revs before coming on song; a peak of 268lb ft of torque doesn’t arrive until 6,000rpm, 2,250rpm before the 380hp max. But that’s exactly what made Ferrari V8s like this so exciting, and the reason why the marque still goes to extreme technical lengths to ensure its latest crop of turbocharged motors retain similarly explosive top ends.
Ferrari did offer an ‘F1’ automatic gearbox option in the F355, but anyone accustomed to today’s technology would likely find this early example of a quick-shifter frustrating. Especially when the other choice, a metal-gated six-speed manual makes swapping cogs immeasurably pleasurable. The click-clack shift action is about as good as it gets, and even if you can’t quite rush the ‘box like today’s equivalents, the combined setup is still good for a 4.5 second 0-62mph time. Plenty quick enough.
Particularly if the F355 in question is of targa-top GTS form. Unlike the fully retractable soft top of the Spider, the GTS got a removable lid that could be stowed away behind the seats. Like a 911 Targa, this bodystyle provided better insulation and far less buffeting, while still providing the elevated vocals and visceral thrills of a wind-in-your-hair performance car. You might even argue that the GTS is the looker of a gorgeous bunch, particularly if your morning commute involves cruising by the Miami beachfront.
These days, it’s only really that sort of clientele that can stretch to F355 heights, because the good old days of £35k examples are long gone. You can double that figure now, and then add a bit more for the very best examples. That being said, today’s Spotted – a 22,000-mile-old minter – has been reduced by £20k from a near six-figure asking price, so it’s not looking like an easy seller’s market at the moment. Not if a F355 GTS as well-kept as this 23-year-old right-hooker is refusing to fly out of the door. Which seems mad, because it is a stunner. And spring is just around the corner.
SPECIFICATION - FERRAR F355 GTS
Engine: 3,496cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 380@8,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 268@6,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: It was the nineties
First registered: 1997
Recorded mileage: 22,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £77,750
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