Category: Ferrari (Page 9 of 9)

Serie Fiorano #15/100

THE ULTIMATE 355. 1999 saw the final year of the 355 (F355 and 355F1). The last 100 of these that were imported to the US were the Serie Fiorano (another four cars went to South Africa and Italy). Each car was numbered and is among the rarest of any production V8 Ferrari. The Serie Fiorano was not merely a standard 355 with a commemorative badge. It was the factory’s swan song for what many enthusiasts consider the finest V8 Ferrari ever. The Serie Fiorano featured many Competizione-derived performance enhancements such as a suspension pack and steering rack, along with drilled and ventilated discs and competition pads, as well as alterations to the computer mapping for added power and torque. Outside, apart from its lower stance, the Serie Fiorano is distinguished by a factory Challenge grill and enameled Scuderia shields. Inside, we find factory carbon-fiber inserts and a competition wheel wrapped in suede. The car presented here is an impeccably maintained, factory original (only a stereo amplifier has been added) with recent major service. It’s a sound investment that’s ready to show or drive.

OVERALL CONDITION
Given its collectibility, one would expect a Serie Fiorano to be in exceptionally good condition vis à vis a normal production 355 and this one does not disappoint. It is textbook buyer’s-guide complete and sorted. Paint is near perfect with only a couple tiny chips on the nose and air intakes. The nose has had a respray for earlier chips. Not too long after its original purchase, the car suffered a low impact hit while parked. Imagine returning from a polo match to find your new Ferrari hit by a drunk driver in a pickup truck (there were several witnesses who were able to detain the driver until police arrived). As horrifying as it must’ve been at the time, the only damage was cosmetic. No frame or unibody damage whatsoever (see alignment below) and it was repaired to a very high standard. Inside, we find a sumptuous leather interior that is almost perfect; the only flaw being a very slight curling of the passenger airbag (very typical of 355s). Otherwise it is immaculate with no wear, no cracking or fading and the factory carbon-fiber accents (expensive option on a stock 355) are a beautiful complement to the 355’s functional, driver-oriented cockpit. Stitching around seats and instrument pod is perfect. AC, windows, lights, and all controls/instruments work properly. Carpets are clean, fresh and unmatted. “Sticky” is always an issue with 355s, however—for the moment—this one is 100% sticky free. The semi-power top hydraulics (another one of the Spider’s Achilles heels) have been serviced recently and work flawlessly. The canvas top is free of tears, snags or runs and is a deep dark black. Rubber and glass are like new all around and were clearly kept out of adverse conditions. Mechanically, it is a sublime piece of machinery with a recent (at 20,650 miles) major service performed by a former factory mechanic and service manager. The sometimes-problematic F1 transmission has also been recently serviced and is very solid with smooth shifts up and down through all gears. Tires are near-new with excellent (90+%) tread.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
We nestle into the sport seats covered in rich leather and turn the key. Behind us the 3.5 litre motor comes to life with a gasp of its 40 valves leading to a sexy growl telling you it’s ready to go. Pulling away, all is surprisingly civilized at lower RPMs, but with a more spirited right foot, the motor and factory exhaust compose a symphony. It’s a deep, primal, grumble that quickly finds a screaming pitch as it approaches the 8,500 limit. Shifting is smooth and while not microsecond-quick like today’s Ferraris, the F1’s paddle shifters were very progressive at the time and still provides fast shifts, or at least comparable to a manual. Ride is surprisingly tight for a Spider. There’s no shake and rattle over road imperfections. Handling, typical of any Ferrari, is magnificent but with the Fiorano’s Competizione derived suspension and brakes, it is on an entirely different level. Its lower center of gravity combined with a wider track and stiffer springs bring the car into a superb balance with outstanding mechanical grip. And despite a lack of electronic aids found in its descendants, it’s a very forgiving car. If you’re inclined to kick the tail out, it’s balance and natural instinct for forward motion make it easy to right. If your style is more fluid, cornering is spot-on with fantastic braking in and gobs of torque out. It exemplifies why the 355 remains what Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson calls one of the best sports cars in the last 50 years.

Rare twin-intake Spider with fresh service

ALONG CAME A SPIDER. When the Ferrari F355 was introduced as a Berlinetta in 1994, it was both a radical departure from and a return to form to the best V8 Ferraris that preceded it. It was—and remains today—state-of-the-art performance and technology combined with graceful yet aggressive lines. By returning to the smooth profile and round taillights of the iconic 308/328, while retaining classic touches like retractable headlamps missing from the modern cars, Pininfarina penned what many consider to be the most beautifully styled of the V8 Ferraris. In 1995, the Berlinetta coupe was joined by a targa-roof GTS and a convertible-top Spider. 1995 was unique in that these cars were outfitted with dual air intakes, resulting in slightly higher horsepower from later models. With Spiders seeing production later in 1995, it is rare to find one with dual air intakes, such as the one presented here.

OVERALL CONDITION
The first thing we notice about the car is its paint. It’s dazzling, deep and glossy and the Rosso Barchetta color is a perfect complement to the F355 Spider’s sexy, elegant lines. Perhaps even more spectacular is that it is 100% original with no respray and no touch-up. None. The car has never had any accident damage, much less frame damage that was reported at auction a year or so ago. It’s one of the unfortunate casualties of cars sold at auction: frame damage can be suspected without verification and if left uncontested by the prospective buyer, it stays in the report. A certification from a Ferrari mechanic will be provided to verify NO FRAME DAMAGE. Ever. And despite relatively high miles for a Ferrari, a tremendous amount of care has been given throughout its ownership to preserve the car’s integrity. It can be argued that because the car was used regularly, it performs better and had its needs tended to much more attentively than low-mileage cars. Rubber is like new all around and was clearly kept out of adverse conditions. Inside, we find a sumptuous leather interior that shows no wear, no cracking or fading. Stitching around seats and instrument pod is intact (you don’t see that every day). AC, windows, top and all controls/instruments work properly. Carpets are clean, fresh and unmatted. The canvas top is free of tears, snags or runs and is a deep dark black. As gorgeous as the car is aesthetically, perhaps its most beautiful attribute is its motor. Like any Ferrari motor, it is a sublime piece of machinery but with a fresh (April 2011) major service performed by Ferrari of Denver, this one is nothing short of majestic. A complete engine-out belt service was done, exhaust manifold (common issue) replaced, plugs, fluids, etc. All told, a $20,000 bill. The transmission has also been serviced on schedule and is very solid with tight linkages up and down through all gears. Tires are near-new with excellent (90+% tread). The end result is what you see here: a gorgeous original example of an F355 that’s intended to be driven.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
We nestle into the sport seats covered in rich leather and turn the key. Behind us the 3.5 litre motor comes to life with a gasp of its 40 valves leading to a sexy growl telling you it’s ready to go. Pulling away, all is surprisingly civilized at lower RPMs, but with a more spirited right foot, the motor and factory sport exhaust compose a symphony. It’s a deep, primal, grumble that quickly finds a screaming pitch as it approaches the 8,500 limit. The clutch and shifter together are crisp, tight and positive. Ride is surprisingly tight for a Spider. There’s no shake and rattle over road imperfections. Handling, typical of any Ferrari, is magnificent. Despite a lack of electronic aids, it’s a very forgiving car. If you’re inclined to kick the tail out, it’s balance and natural instinct for forward motion make it easy to right. If your style is more fluid, cornering is spot-on with fantastic braking in and gobs of torque out. Fresh tires on the lovely factory fluted 5-spoke wheels (my and many others’ all-time favorites) keep grip steady and strong. It’ll blow your hair back and we haven’t even taken the top down. Lowering the semi-power top, and it becomes a sun-seeking grand tourer, ready for a drive in the country or down the coast, turning heads along the way. With its robust performance, lively handling and classic good looks, this is car that evokes passion and grace. La dolce vita.