Ferrari F355 Price Guide

The Ferrari F355 of 1994 to 1999 was the car that restored Ferrari’s mid-engine reputation after the 348‘s difficult reception. It is a 380bhp naturally-aspirated V8 in a body by Pininfarina of perfect mid-engine proportion, with handling that the specialist press unanimously declared the finest in the class. The F355’s five valves per cylinder (three inlet, two exhaust) was an unusual configuration that maximised airflow and delivered an engine character of rare quality.

The Car

The 3,496cc V8 used five valves per cylinder for a 40-valve total, producing 380bhp at 8,250rpm. The red cam covers visible through the engine glass gave the car its visual signature from the rear. The body was available as Berlinetta coupe, GTS targa, and Spider convertible. An F1 paddle-shift gearbox was available from 1997 which was Ferrari’s first such system on a road car, and a genuinely significant development that changed expectations for high-performance gearboxes. The Challenge variant was the track-focused version.

What Goes Wrong

The cam belts on the F355 require annual changes; every year, regardless of mileage. This is an unusual interval and it is enforced by the engine’s design and the belt’s exposure. A missed annual change is a serious risk. The F1 gearbox’s hydraulic pump can fail and is a specialist job to repair. The Berlinetta’s fixed roof and lower kerb weight make it the preferred driver’s car.

Buying

Annual cam belt changes are the defining maintenance requirement so ensure there is a documented annual belt change history for every year of the car’s life. The Berlinetta is the driver’s choice; the Spider the most desirable on the market. The F1 gearbox adds value despite its complexity.