Ferrari 355 F1 Spider

Ferrari 355 Spider

This was the first ever road car to be equipped with the innovative F1-style gearbox management system, available on all three versions: berlinetta, GTS and spider.

The first Ferrari ever built was an open-top. Spiders always held a very special and vital place in Enzo Ferraris’ heart and later in that of the company itself. The inspiration behind every Ferrari spider is a mix of a genuinely sporty engineering and the thrill of open-top driving.

The 355 F1 Spider brought this spirit to a whole new level by melding the berlinetta and the GTS’s acknowledged performance with a superbly efficient electronically-operated semi-automatic soft top.

The two-seater 355 F1 Spider had an aluminium and steel body. Its styling was moulded around an aerodynamically severe design that included a full-body undertray designed to equalise downforce (Cl) between the two axles.

The cabin was designed with both safety and driving pleasure in mind. The seats and trim were Connolly leather. Composite racing seats were also available to order.

The mid-rear 3496 cc 90° V8 was longitudinally mounted and punched out 380 hp, giving it a specific power output of 109 hp/l. Distribution was by means of twin overhead cams with five valves per cylinder. The con rods were titanium, while the control unit was the Bosch M5.2. Dry sump lubrication and a six-speed plus reverse mechanical gearbox completed the picture along with a dry single-plate clutch. It had an F1-style gearbox management system.

Ferrari 355 F1 Spider Technical Specifications

Year of Manufacture – 1997

ENGINE
type rear, longitudinal 90° V8
bore/stroke 85 x 77 mm
unitary displacement 436.94 cc
total displacement 3495.50 cc
compression ratio 11 : 1
maximum power 279 kW (380 hp) at 8250 rpm
power per litre 109 hp/l
maximum torque 363 Nm (37 kgm) at 6000 rpm
valve actuation twin overhead camshafts per bank, five valves per cylinder
fuel feed Bosch Motronic M5.2 electronic injection
ignition Bosch Motronic M5.2 static electronic, single spark plug per cylinder
lubrication dry sump
clutch single-plate
CHASSIS
frame steel monocoque with tubular steel rear sub-frame
front suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
rear suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
brakes discs
transmission electro-hydraulic F1 6-speed + reverse
steering rack-and-pinion
fuel tank capacity 82 litres
front tyres 225/40 ZR 18
rear tyres 265/40 ZR 18
BODYWORK
type two-seater spider
length 4250 mm
width 1900 mm
height 1170 mm
wheelbase 2450 mm
front track 1514 mm
rear track 1615 mm
weight 1350 kg (dry)
PERFORMANCE
top speed 295 km/h
acceleration 0-100 km/h 4.7 sec
0-400 m 12.9 sec
0-1000 m 23.7 sec