Chassis No. ZFFXR42B000110747
Engine No. 27769

The 1989 Brazilian Grand Prix marked a historic breakthrough in Formula One technology. For the first time, a car, the Ferrari 640, was fitted with a revolutionary semi-automatic gearbox operated by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Driven by Nigel Mansell, the car faced widespread skepticism, even within Scuderia Ferrari, as many doubted the new system would survive the full race distance. Yet against all odds, Mansell not only did finish the race, but won it, ushering in a new era of motorsport innovation.

A few years later, after development and refinement, the electro-hydraulic paddle-shift system, operating a conventional six-speed manual gearbox, made its groundbreaking debut on a Ferrari road car for the very first time in 1997 with the Ferrari 355 F1 GTS. This marked the first-ever application of Ferrari's F1-style gearbox on a road-legal vehicle, allowing lightning-fast gear changes without ever taking your hands off the wheel.

Designed by Pininfarina, the GTS version features a body crafted from aluminum and steel, with aerodynamics carefully optimized to keep the car firmly planted on the road, while its targa design offers greater security compared to a traditional convertible. At its heart sits a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V8 engine, fitted with a new five-valve-per-cylinder head, delivering a potent 380 CV.

Among the just over 500 examples ever manufactured, this left-hand drive Ferrari 355 F1 GTS was first registered on 2 February 1998 in Germany. It was then sold on 8 May 1998 to a British owner in the seaside resort of Marbella, Andalusia, Spain. This owner, who has a residence on the French Riviera, entrusted the car to the care of the Ferrari dealer Auto Palace in Saint-Tropez. There, the car was not only meticulously maintained but also securely stored whenever the owner was away from the area.

In February 2001, the car was imported into England and underwent a major service at Kent High Performance Cars, the Ferrari Centre in Maidstone, England. This service included a thorough inspection of the entire gearbox and engine assembly, replacement of the timing belts, and a general overhaul, in preparation for its sale.

The owner who acquired the car in September 2001, when it had just over 8,000 kilometers on the odometer, kept it for 23 years in Essex. He continued to maintain the car with great care and attention at Kent High Performance Cars, fully documented with detailed invoices and a stamped service book available on file, with interventions averaging every two years.

The current owner acquired the car in 2024 and, less than a year ago, commissioned an extensive service at Kent High Performance Cars totaling £10,000. The work included fitting four new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, removing the engine and gearbox, replacing the cam belts, servicing the air conditioning system, removing and replacing leaking cam cover gaskets with modified end caps, installing new spark plugs, stripping, refinishing, and refitting the cam covers, draining the fuel, replacing the fuel filter and fuel tank sender, servicing the fuel pump, installing a new battery, wire brushing the underside and applying anti-corrosion treatment, replacing the front and rear compartment struts, and replacing the stereo head unit, all carried out to enhance the car, already in excellent condition, and in preparation for the MOT test.

More than just a beautiful collector's piece, with its striking Rosso Corsa exterior and Nero leather interior, the car is supplied with a matching three-piece set of Schedoni leather luggage in Nero, its original tool kit, and a leather Targa top cover.

This Ferrari 355 F1 GTS, already rare at the time of its production with just over 500 units built, represents a discerning choice for any collector seeking a low-mileage example that has been meticulously maintained and thoroughly documented. Complete with its original service books and accessories, it stands out as an even rarer find today in such pristine condition and sought-after configuration.