When he drove it for Top Gear, JC decided he just had to have one, so he ordered this GTS, which is now going under the hammer
3 hours ago
- The (in)famous journo owned the car for less than four years and drove it just 6,000 miles.
- RM Sotheby’s estimates the low mileage F355 could sell for a premium over its MSRP.
- Bidders will be happy to know it was recently serviced and received a full paint correction.
There’s something tragic about Ferrari’s current lineup, and it’s not just the insane prices. The real tragedy is that Ferrari no longer makes naturally aspirated V8s. For decades, there were few things more desirable than a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 from Maranello sitting just behind the driver’s seat.
So, it’s hardly shocking that people are willing to drop serious cash to own one of these gems, especially if it’s a pristine example.
Read: This Ferrari F355 Restomod Is To Die For
The car you see is a 1996 Ferrari F355 GTS that’s heading to auction in the UK next month. When new, it cost around £90,000 (~$120,000), which would be the equivalent of £181,000 (~$242,000) in today’s money.
RM Sotheby’s believes that today, almost 30 years after being built, it could sell for as much as £220,000, or around $295,000 at current exchange rates. That’s a heck of a lot of money, particularly since you can buy a newer (and better) 360 Modena for less than $100,000.
Perhaps the key reason why this F355 could sell for so much is that it was ordered new by none other than former Top Gear and The Grand Tour host Jeremy Clarkson. After testing the car, Clarkson decided he just had to have one of his own, and in August 1996, took delivery of the car.
Jonathan Jacob/RM Sotheby’s
Being a GTS means it comes with a removable targa top. It is painted in Ferrari’s iconic Rosso Corsa, and was, according to JC himself, the best car he had ever driven at the time.
Clarkson ended up driving the car for around 6,000 miles ( about 9,600 km) before it was given away in a contest run by The Sunday Times newspaper. The winner kept it for a few years before it passed onto its third owner, who had it for a decade until 2013. It was then sold to the current vendor and recently underwent a major service and a full paint correction.
Now, this F355 has 14,899 miles (23,977 km) under its belt, which remains remarkably low for a car of its age. Adding to its value is the fact that it has the rare sports seats clad in Crema leather with bright red inserts.
Think you’ve got enough cash to burn? Check out the listing and jump into the auction for Clarkson’s Ferrari over here, then flex on anyone still stuck with a 360 Modena.