Ferrari 355
Ferrari produced the Ferrari 355 from 1994 to 1999 as a follow-up to the 348. This mid-engine two-seat model was available as a coupe, convertible, or Targa and had rear-wheel drive and a V8 powertrain. When designing the 355, Ferrari focused on improving performance in addition to its drivability across various environments and speeds.
Compared to the V8 from the 348, the 355’s V8 had a larger displacement of 3.5 liters and used a 5-valve cylinder head. This improved intake permeability, which created a more powerful engine with 375 horsepower.
At first, the Ferrari 355 was only offered as a coupe or Targa with a 6-speed manual transmission. The full convertible known as the Spider came a year later. In 1997, the 355 got an F1 gearbox, which was developed based on the automaker’s work in 1989.
Throughout the full production run, Ferrari made 11,273 355s. The later models offered a Fiorano handling pack that improved the quickness of the steering rack. Another important change between model years was the switch from the Bosch 2.7 Motronic system to the 5.2 Motronic in 1996, which some people say is unnoticeable while others hold it responsible for the ability to increase output by 30 bhp. Everyone can agree that the 5.2 Motronic was smoother and cleaner.
The profile of the Ferrari 355 is fairly cab-forward, and you will notice a flat snout with pop-up lights that clearly show its decade. The sides have crisp flying buttresses, which were a weak spot for corrosion on this model, one of the reasons the 355 was the last V8 from Ferrari with them. The 355 also lost the side strakes from the 348, delivering gaping, clean intakes. The rear end has gorgeously curved wheel arches and a nice bone-line, plus a flipped-up spoiler.