1996 Ferrari 355 Challenge Race Car
This 1996 Ferrari F355 Challenge is a true piece of Ferrari motorsport history and one of the most engaging purpose-built race cars from the modern era of the brand. The current owner owned this car for the past 18 years and during that time it has been exclusively maintained and supported by Pocono Sportscars, one of the most respected names in Ferrari race prep and vintage support on the East Coast. The car currently has approximately 500 engine hours and received a full engine rebuild just 524 miles ago, so the drivetrain is fresh and running as strong as ever. The F355 Challenge cars were built by Ferrari for their one-make racing series which began in the mid 1990s and each car started life as a standard F355 Berlinetta before being factory-converted or equipped by dealers with a Challenge kit that included a roll cage, racing seats and harnesses, upgraded suspension and brakes, a fire suppression system, and lightweight components throughout. This particular example has had its fire bottle recently recharged and the rear bumper was professionally repainted to maintain a clean and presentable appearance. Included with the car is a second set of wheels for track support as well as a set of front brake calipers. The F355 Challenge is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5 liter V8 that revs to 8500 rpm and delivers one of the most iconic Ferrari exhaust notes of all time. Mated to a gated six speed manual gearbox with firm and deliberate shifts it offers an incredibly direct and analog driving experience that is rare to find today even among other vintage race cars. The steering feel is immediate and precise the chassis is communicative and balanced and the car remains both thrilling and rewarding to drive at speed. With its timeless Pininfarina styling raw mechanical feel and direct connection to Ferrari’s racing heritage the F355 Challenge continues to stand out as one of the most desirable track-focused Ferraris of its era. This example has been cared for with long-term attention and is well known to its service team making it an ideal candidate for continued historic racing events private track use or inclusion in a motorsport-focused collection.