While renowned for their street cars, racing has always been integral to the Ferrari brand. This 1995 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta Coupe, VIN #00433, exemplifies that racing spirit. Originally a US-spec street-legal car, it features a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 380 hp, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in Rosso Corsa with yellow Momo livery and features a Rosso Corsa metal interior with black fabric racing seats.

The transformation of this F355 into a race car is a tale of resilience and dedication. Purchased new in 1995 at Wide World Ferrari in Spring Valley, NY, it started as a standard street production car. In 1996, the car was stolen and stripped of its doors, interior, hood, wheels, and tires but was recovered shortly thereafter.

In March 1997, Kevin Ryan and Servizio, an independent Ferrari race shop, acquired the car with the vision of turning it into a race car for the Speedvision Cup series. Between 1997 and 2001, over $300,000 was invested in custom carbon fiber doors and body panels, a custom roll cage, MOTEC programmable engine management, custom exhaust, race interior, fuel cell, and more. By August 2001, the project was about 75% complete when Ryan lost interest. Jeff Ippoliti then purchased the car and in 2002, he completed the extensive work needed, adding a carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing, programming the MOTEC system, installing new sensors and electronics, fitting Penske 3-way adjustable racing shocks, solid motor mounts, a new fire suppression system, rewired chassis harness, new rear diffuser, and custom switchgear panel. The suspension was lowered, head gaskets and axle boots were replaced, and a new racing clutch and bearings were installed. Engine mapping and dyno testing yielded an impressive 433.9 hp.

This F355 was built to qualify for the newly created SpeedVision Challenge Series and comes with extensive documentation, including photographs and most invoices and records of its history.

With around 11,300 street-going F355s produced, this model was a critical and commercial success for Ferrari. The F355 Challenge was pivotal for Ferrari's presence in the gentleman’s racer arena. The Ferrari Challenge Series, popular in the US and Europe, featured minor modifications for increased power and mandatory safety and performance enhancements, including upgraded 14" Brembo brakes, 18" Speedline magnesium wheels, Pirelli racing slicks, competition springs with solid suspension bushings, roll cage, racing bucket seats, safety harnesses, fire extinguisher, engine cut-off switch, competition steering wheel, lightweight exhaust, competition clutch, manual radiator fan control, upgraded fans, front and rear brake cooling ducts, rear wing, and a Challenge black perforated rear grille.

This F355 GTB not only follows Ferrari's Challenge Series formula but surpasses class racing restrictions, becoming one of the fastest F355s ever built, driven by Jeff's desire to create something truly extraordinary.