1995 – Ferrari F355 Challenge

Competition car, sold without registration papers
Chassis no. ZFFPR41B000104487

- Fine condition
- Just serviced, extensive file of bills
- One of the best-looking modern Ferraris built for competition

Developed from the Ferrari 348 GTB, the 348 Challenge could lay claim to being the model it all began with. The successful Ferrari Challenge came into being with the 348 in 1993, but the F355 Challenge took it to another level in 1995. It must be said, everything about it was more accomplished and more successful, from both a stylistic and a technical point of view. A huge commercial success, the F355 is the model some consider the last in the line of the 308, 328 and 348, which would come to an end with the introduction of the 360 Modena. Better looking, faster and easier to drive, it is of particular interest in the market for collectors’ cars, like its big sister, the 550 Maranello. Intended to carry on the spirit of the 1950s and ‘60s, when gentlemen racers drove to the tracks, the F355 Challenge returned to the traditions of its forebears. It is impossible therefore not to compare it with the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB!

Just like the model it replaced, the F355 Challenge was directly developed from the equivalent Berlinetta. Once again, the main mechanical components were retained for ease of use. But the exhaust system was lighter, a competition-type clutch replaced the original item and 14-inch F40-type Brembo brakes were fitted, with cooling ducts at the front and rear. There were improvements too to the cooling system, with an additional radiator fan, and to the car's roadholding, with new 18-inch Speedline wheels shod with Pirelli slicks (245/265-18 at the front and 305/645-18 at the back) or Pirelli P Zero rain tyres (225/40 ZR 18 at the front and 265/40 ZR 18 at the back), as well as competition-spec springs and suspension bushings. The aerodynamics were improved by the simple addition of a prominent rear wing from 1999 onwards, which generated additional downforce and so increased cornering speeds. Finally, as for any self-respecting racing car, the carpets and sound-deadening were stripped from the interior, to save 165lb (75kg) on the scales. Otherwise, the steering wheel, bucket seats, roll cage, safety harnesses and towing eyes completed the array of equipment fitted to this resolutely track-focused GT.

This particular F355 Challenge played an active part in the Ferrari Challenge in England from 1995 to 1998 before Charlie White bought it in 2005. He competed with it in several seasons of the Pirelli Ferrari Open, mounting the podium on numerous occasions and regularly finishing in the top five. It arrived in France in 2015 to join the collection of its current owner. An amateur racer in his free time, he has since used the car for track days and, more recently, at the Circuit Paul Ricard for the Global Endurance Legends organised by Peter Auto in 2018. Regularly maintained, its substantial history file shows all the expenditure incurred and service work carried out since 2005. More recently still, just over 10,000 € has been spent to ensure that it runs perfectly. Last October, its owner had the car serviced, at which time all the fluids and filters were changed and the cambelt and tensioners, accessory drive belt and spark plugs replaced, along with the oil seal at the rear of the gear-lever linkage. In good mechanical condition, this F355 Challenge today has a little under 20,000km (12,500 miles) recorded.