Ferrari F355 Spider

Why it matters

Introduced in 1995, the F355 Spider was developed from the outset alongside the Berlinetta and became the first Ferrari road car equipped with a fully power-operated soft top. Pininfarina spent extensive wind-tunnel time preserving the F355's aerodynamic balance while reshaping its rear structure for open-air motoring, and Ferrari reinforced the chassis to retain rigidity. The 3,496 cc flat-plane-crank V8 used five valves per cylinder, titanium connecting rods and Bosch Motronic management to produce 380 hp at 8,250 rpm, driving through a six-speed gated manual transaxle; the electrohydraulic F1 transmission became available from 1997. Power steering, electronically controlled dampers and a full aerodynamic undertray made the Spider both approachable and extraordinarily capable, while its bypass-valve exhaust preserved the F355's celebrated high-revving soundtrack. Ferrari produced 3,717 Spiders before the 360 generation arrived. By uniting supercar performance, graceful Pininfarina styling and genuinely convenient open-air operation, the F355 Spider established the template for every mid-engined Ferrari Spider that followed.