Between 1994 and 1999, the F355 was the "basic" car in the Ferrari range. However, being the "cheapest" Ferrari still meant it was an expensive and exclusive car! Powered by a mid-mounted, 40 valve, 3.5 litre V8, which produces 375bhp, the F355 will hit 60mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds, and go on to a top speed of 183 mph. On top of all that, it looks superb, and makes all the right noises (in fact, by using the links at the bottom of this page you can hear the car for yourself).
The F355 was a development of the Ferrari 348, which looks very similar, but which was not as good a car to begin with. The 348 had extra "fins" along the lower part of the doors over the air intakes (just like the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa) which were considered dated in 1989 when the 348 was first seen. It also had rectangular rear lights behind a series of black plastic louvres and a 4 valve per cylinder V8 which was not as powerful as the 355 engine. The 348 was also a tricky handler on the limit as well. Overall the 348 was not considered a "great" Ferrari. The 355 gained a substantially reworked chassis, transforming the handling, together with an aerodynamically designed undertray, which provided downforce at speed. The unsightly fins on the door were deleted and the rear lights were changed to 4 round lights, echoing Ferrari's in the past. The result was a far more competent car, which was universally praised. Jeremy Clarkson, the British motoring journalist, felt it was the best car he had ever driven, and like it so much he went out and bought one for himself!
This car is the GTB, which is a hardtop coupe. A full convertible, the F355 Spider, was also made, as was a 355 GTS with a lift out "Targa" style roof. UT Models have made all three types, and I have one of each in my collection.
This model is one of UT's earlier efforts, and it is quite good. The red paintwork is blemish free, and the interior looks accurate (apart from the lack of a gate around the gearlever, it just sits in a piece of silver plastic). The engine is not a separate piece, but rather is part of the chassis mold. It looks good however. The main disappointment is the lack of detailed brakes. There are no calipers, and the discs are featureless round pieces of silver plastic. On later versions, UT corrected this (my yellow F355 GTS has nicely done brakes) but it does detract somewhat from the overall look of this model.
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Ferrari F355 engine sound (Sound File)
Ferrari F355 pulling out and accelerating away (Sound File)
Ferrari F355 at speed (Sound File)
