1999 Ferrari F355

The design of the Ferrari 348 was modified by the famous Italian design studio, Pininfarina resulting in the Ferrari F355. The Ferrari F355 was produced from 1995 through the close of the century with nearly 2700 examples created; making it one of the most popular Ferraris's of all time. When introduced it was available in fixed-head Berlinetta and was later followed by a Targa and Spyder variant.

The F355 was a 348 with design modifications and engine enhancements that included five valves per cylinder. With an improved DOHC engine the F355 produced 80 more horsepower than its predecessor. The 380 horsepower engine drove the nearly 3000 pound vehicle from zero-to-sixty in just 4.6 seconds. Top speed was accomplished at just over 180 mph. In 1988, the vehicle became similar to F1 styled vehicles with the introduction of paddle shifters located on the steering wheel that allowed the driver to easily shift from gear to gear. Performance was further upgraded from its 348 counterpart with an improved suspension and chassis. The suspension was adjustable by the driver to accommodate all types of driving conditions. Ventilated Brembo disc brakes provided excellent stopping power. The body was created from steel and aluminum which added rigidity while remaining light-weight.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2005