1997 FERRARI F355 GTS

This Ferrari F355 GTS is undoubtedly one of the all-time great supercars to wear the Cavallino emblem, presented with low mileage and in very good condition throughout. Its renowned engine is the 375bhp 3.5-litre V8 with five valves per cylinder (hence ‘355’), coupled to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows just 36,313 miles from new.

First registered in November 1997, this F355 was specified in the appealing factory colour of Blu Tour de France, complemented by a rich tan leather interior. There are five previous owners from new, and the car is now offered by the trade.

Its bodywork is in excellent condition with no signs of any accident damage. Likewise, the blue paint finish presents very well, with the only significant blemish being a crack in the paint on the offside lower front bumper. There are small stone chips from road use as you would expect, as well as a chip in the offside front indicator lens. It is complemented by the original polished exhaust tail pipes at the rear, and is also fitted with the Challenge rear grille. The original 18-inch magnesium alloys are in great shape, as are the wheel bolts.

In the cabin, the tan Connolly leather upholstery is in very good order, accented by dark blue stitching throughout. The driver’s seat shows some creases and marks on the base, and more visible scuffs and discolouration on the side bolster, but in general the trim looks smart. There are some very small scratches and scuffs around the door handles, but the interior plastics present well, and are pleasingly free of the common ‘sticky’ plastic issue. It is trimmed with dark blue carpets, and there are also carbon-fibre sill cover plates over the door shuts. All of the switchgear functions as it should, and it is equipped with an Alpine INA-N333R head unit, which features DAB digital radio and a CD player.

This car has been looked after exclusively by Ferrari main dealers and recognised specialists from new, including Maranello Egham, H.R. Owen, Lancaster Colchester, and most recently DK Engineering. Its last scheduled maintenance was in December 2019 at 36,292 miles, and during this service it also received a new air-conditioning compressor, handbrake cable, and replacement electric key fobs.

The cam belts were last renewed in October 2018 at 36,030 miles, along with the tensioner rollers, spark plugs, engine-to-firewall hoses, and air and fuel filters. During this major service, the gear selector seal and gaiter were renewed, along with the front crank oil seal, and the reinforcement plate for the clutch bell housing heat shield. The offside radiator assembly was repaired, and all four hydraulic lid struts were replaced.

The most recent MOT test was on 21 March 2019 at 36,058 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories. It will be handed over with a fresh 12-month certificate for the next owner. The online MOT records reveal a near-faultless test history, with only one failure in 2012 due to a leak in a brake hose and with an advisory regarding a noisy exhaust. The wheels are fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres in size 225/40 ZR18 at the front and 265/40 ZR18 at the rear, which are all in good condition.

Accompanying this F355 is a duplicate book pack including a stamped service book, which documents 12 maintenance visits from new. There is also a good history file of old receipts and MOT paperwork.

This Ferrari F355 GTS is an impressive example of a modern-era performance icon. For a car that was revealed to the world 26 years ago, its pace is still very respectable even today; capable of 0-60mph in less than 4.7 seconds, and a top speed of 183mph. This is an original and unmolested example of one of the most popular Ferraris ever built, pairing a howling V8 with a slick manual gearbox, and would make a great addition to any collection.

Summary of service history:

• 8 Feb 1998 - 835 miles
• 16 Jul 1999 - 4,359 miles
• 12 Jun 2001 - 6,516 miles (inc. belts)
• 21 Nov 2003 - mileage not recorded (inc. belts)
• 8 Jun 2005 - 21,274 miles
• 1 Sep 2006 - 23,845 miles (inc. belts)
• 13 Oct 2008 - 30,842 miles
• 24 Feb 2010 - 32,065 miles
• 24 Jan 2011 - 32,796 miles
• 30 Nov 2012 - 33,504 miles
• 6 Jun 2014 - 34,263 miles (inc. belts)
• 24 Sep 2015 - 34,719 miles
• 26 Oct 2018 - 36,030 miles (inc. belts)
• 5 Dec 2019 - 36,292 miles

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing. A previous agreement may still be noted on HPI, but this has just been settled in full.

Please note: the cherished plate shown on the car is not included in the sale. It will be switched back to an alternative registration plate in the event of a successful auction.