The Spider: open-air F355 motoring
The Ferrari F355 Spider arrived in 1995 alongside the GTS and was the first true convertible mid-engined Ferrari since the 308 GTS in the 1970s — a folding fabric roof that dropped fully into a tonneau behind the cabin. Approximately 3,717 Spiders were built across the production run, sitting between the Berlinetta and the GTS by volume but well clear of the Challenge.
Mechanically the Spider is the same F355 underneath: 3.5-litre, 5-valve V8, transverse 6-speed transaxle, the same 8,500 rpm redline. What the Spider trades is some structural rigidity for the unfiltered exhaust note and the open sky. Owners almost universally describe it as the body style that makes the F355's V8 the most addictive — there is no glass between the engine and your ears.
The Fiorano handling pack and other Spider specials
Toward the end of production, Ferrari offered a US-market handling pack on the 1999 F355 Spider known as the Fiorano. It bundled together drilled brakes, revised suspension settings, modified steering geometry and unique badging into a small-volume special edition. Fioranos are rare — produced only for one model year, only on Spiders, only for the US market — and command a noticeable premium over standard 1999 Spiders on the live market today.
Beyond the Fiorano, all the standard F355 collector tells matter on a Spider too: a manual gearbox lifts the asking price; an early 2.7 Motronic build adds further premium; a desirable colour (Giallo Modena, Argento Nurburgring, Blu Pozzi alongside the default Rosso Corsa) makes a meaningful difference at the top of the market.
Spider-specific buying checks
The fabric hood is the obvious item. Check it raises and lowers smoothly through its full electric cycle, look for tears or shrinkage at the edges and around the rear window, and inspect the boot/trunk area underneath for signs of historic water ingress. Replacement hoods are available but they are not cheap.
Beyond the roof, the Spider shares all the usual F355 inspection points: cambelt and tensioner status, clutch wear (clutches on F1 cars wear faster than manuals), exhaust manifolds, evidence of regular service intervals, and a clean ownership chain. A well-documented Spider with a recent major service is worth real money over a similarly-presented car without paperwork — the same as in any F355 segment.