Lot 103

Open Roads, August 2021

1997 Ferrari F355 Spider

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€91,300 EUR | Sold

United Arab Emirates | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Chassis No.
ZFFXR48B000109296
  • One of approximately 3,717 F355 Spiders produced, 2,664 of which are said to have been fitted with a manual transmission
  • Only two owners since new
  • Showing just over 58,500 kilometers at time of cataloguing
  • Benefits from engine overhaul with clutch replacement in July 2017, and more recent service including timing belt change
  • Accompanied by rare and desirable matching Schedoni luggage

The F355 Spider was introduced to the public in 1995, a year after the Berlinetta and GTS versions made their debut at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show . Notably, it was the first convertible Ferrari to feature a power-operated soft top that lowered at the press of a button. Its rigid, semi-monocoque steel chassis with variable-section, tubular front and rear sub-frames ensured that the open-topped F355 retained much of the performance of its hardtop sibling. Also playing a key part was the same mid-mounted, Formula 1-derived 3.5-liter V-8 engine found in its coupe and targa counterparts. With a newly designed cylinder head featuring five valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic fuel injection, it was rated to produce 380 horsepower. Precise, power-assisted steering and electronically adjustable dampers worked well with the staggered 18-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber. The F355 also carries the distinction of having debuted another F1-inspired feature for Ferrari: the paddle-shifted automated transmission, which would quickly evolve and become a mainstay.

This European-spec F355 Spider features the sought-after six-speed manual transmission. It is finished in a rare and highly attractive color combination of Blu Tour de France over a tan Cuoio interior with a blue top and was first registered in June of 1997. The consignor is only its second owner, having acquired the car in July of 2013 from Formula Automobile, the official Ferrari dealer in Denmark, with just under 48,000 kilometers showing on the odometer. It was immediately shipped to Switzerland, where the owner lived at the time. In early 2014, the car moved to the Netherlands with the owner and remained there until being imported into Dubai, where it currently resides.

The odometer showed just over 58,200 kilometers at cataloguing time. In July 2017, Netherlands-based Ferrari specialists Forza Service performed a major engine refurbishment, which included replacing the clutch, pressure bearing, timing belt, camshaft oil seals and O-rings, various hoses, and gas struts for the hood. The engine bay was fully detailed, including sandblasting and repainting the valve covers and refinishing the inlet housings, tubes, and side plates. In November of 2020, Alex Renner Motors Garage in Dubai mounted new tires, balanced and aligned the wheels, and replaced the roof crossbar elastic, timing belt, pulley crankshaft and camshaft seals, transmission oil sump gaskets, right radiator fan, battery, starter motor, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter. In February 2021, the fuel pump relay, injection relay, and air pump relay were replaced.

This meticulously maintained Ferrari F355 Spider is accompanied by manuals with a leather case, service invoices, a tonneau cover, a dust cover, tool kit, and the rare and desirable matching Ferrari Schedoni luggage.