During the late 1960’s a new type of Ferrari was launched. With its mid-mounted V6, the Dino was a complete departure from the firms traditional GT's, all of which used front-mounted V12's. However, Dino componentry had also been proven in racing and the 206 began an illustrious line of entry level Ferrari supercars. Evolving into the V8-engined 308 by 1975, 328's and 348's continued the baby Ferrari's reputation for pretty design and spirited performance. F355's were the fifth incarnations and from May 1994, offered as either a fixed head Berlinetta or targa-topped GTS.

These were joined by a Spider 12 months later while from 1997, Ferrari began offering an F1-style transmission operated via paddles behind the steering wheel. A pioneering gearshift mechanism that featured the most advanced technology of any production road car, the F1 unit was substantially better than those used by Porsche and Alpina while Ferrari’s own Valeo system from just a few years earlier seemed terribly outdated by comparison. Changes were focused primarily around making the F355 faster and easier to handle on the limit, the latter having been a regular bone of contention with 348 road testers. There was a new electronic damper control system that fed information on road speed, brake pressure, suspension loadings and steering into a computer that decided exactly how firm the dampers needed to be. Derived from lessons learnt with active suspension, the F355 system worked even better than the McLaren F1's and was accompanied by full underbody aerodynamics. This radically improved airflow beneath the car and increased stability at high speeds. Also very impressive was a new engine that could boast the highest output of any normally aspirated road car unit in history. Like the 348, F40 and 288 GTO, the F355's 90° V8 was positioned longitudinally in a mid-mounted configuration.

Moreover, Ferrari put these figures into perspective by revealing the F355 was seven seconds faster round Fiorano than the 348 and a full four quicker than the 512 TR. Whereas the 348's styling had been influenced by the Testarossa, the F355's lines harked back to the 288 GTO and 308 GTB. Designed by Pininfarina, at the front was a reverse elliptical grille flanked by indicator lenses and supplementary driving lights, F355's having been the last new Ferrari's to feature retractable headlights, subsequent models like the F50, 550, 360 and Enzo all having units located under clear glass or plastic covers. Carved out from the sides were a pair of gaping engine air intakes and whilst the 348 and Testarossa had made bold styling features of these with their attention-grabbing slats, the F355's air scoops were left bare. Sweeping flying buttresses and muscular rear wings were merged masterfully into a tightly wrapped tail, the kick-up rear wing further improving high-speed stability. Housed at the back were traditional light clusters either side of a body-coloured central panel embossed with a chromed Cavallino Rampante. Pininfarina also designed a completely new interior and although a three spoke leather steering wheel was initially fitted, this was soon changed to a four-spoke item with airbag.