Ferrari F355
TIPPED BY: TRISTAN JUDGE & PIERRE NOVIKOFF
We have a convergence of opinion here, because both Tristan Judge and Pierre Novikoff have selected the Ferrari F355. Tristan would endorse all the variants while Pierre has a particular ‘thing’ for the more track-focused Challenge version.
‘They’re still off the peak they hit seven or eight years ago,’ says Tristan. ‘By the beginning of 2020 good cars were rising to between £70,00 and £90,000, because the enthusiasts are back in charge and prices have hardened. The 355 was always seen as a hell of a car from an enthusiast’s point of view and is much preferred to a 348. If it’s purely about investment then seek out a manual example, because the gap between those and the paddle-shift cars is widening. But they’re all fantastic, so look past a manual Berlinetta in Rosso Corsa and choose the colour and specification you like.’
Paddle-shift left-hand-drive Spiders and targa-roof GTS cars start around £60,000 and offer the best value for money, unless you are convinced that you’ll be going fast enough to feel the small weight gains and marginal loss of stiffness compared with the Berlinetta. Add £15,000 to £20,000 for a manual transmission and right-hand drive – more if it’s also a Berlinetta. With a budget closer to £100,000 you can still find a Challenge version.
These track-focused specials need researching carefully because their specification changed year by year. Pierre Novikoff explains the appeal, ‘It’s the last track-day Ferrari with a manual gearbox and it’s the dream play car. It has a lot of special features, like front brakes from the F40, and the engine is fantastic – the ultimate evolution of that V8. It’s a great mixture – the gearbox, the best engine, the connection with the Ferrari Challenge race series. But it’s a real road car too. You can drive to a track day and have this amazing experience without needing support from a team of mechanics, and then drive home afterwards.’
Pierre owns one himself and has driven it (not trailered it) to use at the Mont Ventoux hill climb (it’s not only for Lycra-clad cyclsits, after all). He treasures a few days out with his Challenge every summer but admits that the one you find for £100,000 may not be perfect. ‘Yes, it will be a little tired, but it will still provide the experience and they will all cost more pretty soon.’
‘If it’s purely about investment then seek out a manual, because the gap between those and the paddle-shift cars is widening’