1996 FERRARI 355 CHALLENGE EVOLUTION

This Ferrari F355 Challenge is a rare road-legal racing car, which remains in remarkably original condition, and benefits from known provenance and excellent maintenance history. It is powered by a high-revving 375bhp 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V8, driving the rear wheels through a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The odometer indicates 46,754 km (29,051 miles).

The Ferrari Challenge was established to enable customers and dealers to compete against one another in identically-prepared models, on some of the world’s great race tracks. Standard production models were modified for competition, and in the case of the F355 Challenge this included a roll cage, bucket seats, engine cut-off switch, a black Challenge rear grille, large rear wing, and front and rear tow hooks.

Its mechanical specification included idenitcal14-inch Brembo brakes to the ultra-rare track-only F40 LM, 18-inch magnesium Speedline alloys, a lightweight exhaust system, upgraded fans and a manual radiator control, a competition clutch, and competition suspension springs. Notably lighter, the F355 Challenge was also more responsive than the standard road car.

This car, chassis 105548, is one of only 109 recognised genuine F355 Challenge cars, and further stands out among these as being a later factory-built ‘Evolution’ model. While the earlier cars were assembled at the supplying dealer or Concessionaires using factory-supplied kits, around 30 cars had the conversion carried out at Maranello - and this is one such example.

What makes this car even rarer, and quite possibly unique, is that it was specified from the factory in Challenge mechanical specification, but fitted with the more comfortable standard black leather seats and production car steering wheel. The reason for this request was that the first owner intended to drive it on the road, and as such the car was registered by Charles Pozzi in France after delivery. Rather than being put to use in circuit racing as most F355 Challenge cars were, this example therefore escaped the potential damage and hard use typical of track-focused cars.

It was kept by the first owner until 2001, by which time it had racked up around 20,000 km. The second owner had the car for the next 14 years, adding another 24,000 km and keeping it fastidiously maintained, with three cambelt changes in this period and fitment of replacement exhaust manifolds. In 2014, the F355 was sold to its third owner - still in France - and was driven sparingly but kept in good order by his in-house mechanic and the local Ferrari dealer in Valbonne. The vendor acquired the car in 2018 with around 46,000 km on the clock, and subsequently imported it to the UK, dispatching it to independent Ferrari specialist Rardley Motors on arrival to have any necessary work done to get it re-registered with the DVLA.

A standard F355 handbrake was installed in order to pass the MOT test - as these were not fitted on Challenge cars - which included new disc bells, a handbrake calliper, and modifications to the bobbins accordingly. The owner also decided to have the factory-fitted black leather seats replaced with a pair of genuine OMP F355 Challenge bucket seats, as well as the Alcantara-trimmed racing steering wheel. The roll cage’s side bars were also removed, but all of the original parts are included in the sale. During the current ownership, the car has covered around 700 km, and has been kept in a heated garage or secure storage whenever not in use.

Today, the bodywork remains in great shape, and all of the panels and Rosso Corsa paintwork is believed to be original - with the exception of the centre of the bonnet, where a thumbnail-sized patch of peeling lacquer was rectified. There are relatively minor stone chips around the front bumper and grille, as well as around the wheel arches, as shown in the images, but otherwise the finish is very impressive. All four Speedline alloy wheels are in superb order. Given that most other F355 Challenge cars will have seen racing use, this must be one of the most well-preserved and original examples.

In the cabin, the OMP Challenge bucket seats are in excellent condition, having been barely used since installation. The Momo Corse steering wheel was not fitted as a brand-new item, so it does show some wear, though this could easily be re-trimmed if desired in the future. Its roll cage is in good order, and there is no carpeting. The rest of the interior trim is in great shape for its age, with even the plastics free of the common sticky coatings that can afflict other F355s.

Its most recent maintenance was in July 2020 at 46,295 km, which comprised a major engine-out service at Rardley Motors. New cambelts and tensioner bearings were fitted, plus a new auxiliary belt tensioner bearing, fresh spark plugs, brake fluid, power steering fluid, new air filters, and a re-gas of the air-conditioning. An exhaust clamp was also repaired. Mechanically, the car is reported to be on-the-button and ready to enjoy. A summary of the known service history is shown below.

Accompanying the car is an extensive file of invoice and receipts from recognised Ferrari main dealers and specialists dating back to 2001. These include over €30,000 whilst in the care of the last two French owners and a further £9,000 since the car was imported to the UK. Also included are copies of the French Certificat d’Immatriculation showing its September 1996 first registration date, Carte International D’Assurance, and other related paperwork including the UK importation and registration documents. A print-out of Ferrari’s production record for the car is also present, confirming its genuine Challenge status.

This Ferrari F355 Challenge is a rare ‘Evolution’ model, and as such represents one of the last factory-built racing cars with a manual gearbox - giving it serious appeal to both keen drivers and discerning collectors. It has evidently been very well maintained throughout its life to date, and now presents as a thrilling ‘race car for the road’, which could continue to be thoroughly enjoyed on the public highway. Alternatively, it could even be deployed on circuits for the likes of the Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic Series or Ferrari Challenge and GT events, where it would be able to share the track with other pedigree Ferrari racing cars.

Summary of maintenance history:

• 08/08/2001 - 12,630 km (major service, cambelts)
• 21/05/2002 - 21,306 km (fitting of alarm and remote door locking)
• 30/07/2003 - 28,611 km (minor service, oil change)
• 05/10/2005 - 33,663 km (major service, cambelts)
• 30/07/2010 - 41,999 km (major service, cambelts)
• 12/04/2011 - 42,535 km (replacement exhaust manifolds)
• 08/10/2014 - 44,642 km (minor service, oil change)
• 15/09/2015 - 45,682 km (oil change and filters)
• 24/08/2016 - 45,808 km (major service, cambelts)
• 05/03/2018 - 46,104 km (original Challenge seats fitted)
• 27/03/2018 - 46,104 km (supply and install handbrake for MOT, new rear disc bells)
• 16/07/2020 - 46,295 km (major service, cambelts)

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