355 - 1999 355 Spider 6-Speed - new to me | FerrariChat

355 1999 355 Spider 6-Speed - new to me

Discussion in '348/355' started by rob lay, Jun 18, 2021.

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  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    1999 355 Spider
    Rossa Corsa/Tan
    6-Speed
    ZFFXR48A2X0114490
    13,592 Miles

    Not a secret anymore, but working with FerrariChat.com sponsor Curated (http://wearecurated.com) they had a client with this show queen that wanted a 355 Challenge. The deal worked out perfect! A 355 wasn't on my top 5, especially a Spider, but certainly in my top 10 and growing on me now. I just had the major done, Classiche submitted, and I'll drive her the next year making sure everything 100%. At that point I'll decide if a keeper or move into something higher on my list (mostly 12's).

    So prior owner she was part of a large collection not driven much, but extensive interior work targeting a Cavallino Platinum in 2020 before the cancelation. I haven't had to do much cosmetically, but last major was 7 years ago and tires 10 years old.

    2016 the car was rear ended that shows up on Carfax and I have all the repair receipts. I had James at Norwood Auto Italia go through the rear closely when engine out and there was no noticeable damage.

    I'll use this thread to document the above history, the work I have done, and my driving experiences.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    tomc, JoeTSI, tres55 and 8 others like this.
  2. Targatime

    Targatime Formula 3

    Feb 22, 2014
    1,218
    Los Angeles
    Sounds like that car needs less Classiche and more right foot.
     
  3. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    I'm good at that, it has been under driven the last 10 years. I'll be driving weekly and signed up for the Cavallino Corsa rally in September. After what I spent on the major, the Classiche wasn't that much more. :D
     
    Targatime likes this.
  4. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    1,949
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken
    Much of a change from the challenge car?
     
  5. Natkingcolebasket69

    Natkingcolebasket69 F1 World Champ

    John has the best stuff but why did you go for a car with a carfax report with quite a few available out there, was it because of provenance, service history?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    hard to compare as never drove the Challenge on street much, it had a Ferrari of Houston "tune", and the racing clutch. the Spider clutch was replaced less than 1k miles ago, but I'm having a hard time getting use to how soft. I don't necessarily want a race clutch feel, but prefer something like the 328 feel. I hate the sensation of any slipping! that's my only complaint so far, the top is the most convoluted engineering I've ever seen in my life, but it is working 100% as of now.
     
  7. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    all came down to the numbers. had several tire kickers on the Challenge, but nothing solid and mostly low ballers. John came in with a buyer who REALLY wanted it and a trade I could tolerate. I will end up far better than any other deals even putting $20k in the major plus Classiche.
     
    JJ and Natkingcolebasket69 like this.
  8. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    21,720
    WI
    Perfect car.... spiders are the best...how else will ya hear the exhaust notes?

    If only you had an F1 instead of that dead pedal slow motion manual shifter.

    Oh well...

    :)
     
    rob lay likes this.
  9. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    21,720
    WI
    Congrats on the deal / swap....looks like a great car.

    Maybe Dave Helms can get you discount on a gold connector kit.

    hahahahaha

    I crack myself up. :)
     
  10. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,469
    DC Metro
    Full Name:
    L.C.
    Congrats Rob. Welcome back to the 355 club!
     
    rob lay likes this.
  11. Natkingcolebasket69

    Natkingcolebasket69 F1 World Champ

    I love my spider. U did well I think. Mine is a 99 manual with 39k miles, a blast on Canyon roads. More fun than anything new. Enjoy!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    rob lay likes this.
  12. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    1,940
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Nice! The Curated video was very cool.

    Mine is identical with more miles. Will be for sale in the coming weeks.
     
    rob lay likes this.
  13. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,635
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Fantastic! You understand it is red correct?:)
     
  14. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    ha! better yet 'Dave is the Best' did all the sticky parts. :D maybe next I'll have Intercity ship it to EAG for conversion to F1. ;)
     
  15. Suffyk

    Suffyk Formula Junior

    May 25, 2012
    284
    Congrats Rob!
     
    rob lay likes this.
  16. Julia

    Julia F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 22, 2014
    6,467
    Houston
    Isn't the top a hoot? It's like a robot learning how to walk for the first time.

    Congrats on the purchase. I am loving mine. :)
     
    Ferrarium likes this.
  17. Pepsi10

    Pepsi10 Formula Junior

    Nov 24, 2008
    855
    InlandNorthWest
    Full Name:
    Mike M
    Congrats Rob. It’s beautiful. The roof…reminds me of that expression. Why make it simple when you can make it complicated.
     
    Dewinator and rob lay like this.
  18. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,189
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    That's a beautiful F355 Spider, Rob. Congratulations! Drive it in good health.

    Barry
     
    rob lay likes this.
  19. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    Ha, I'm finally getting use to it, but several calls to James at Norwoods. I had mine stuck in the middle not going down or up, it is like doing a computer reboot because Windows 95 locks up. ;)
     
  20. Julia

    Julia F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 22, 2014
    6,467
    Houston
    Mine has never actually been stuck during my ownership, but there were times I thought it was, because it is so slow.
     
  21. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    mine is operating 100% right now, but the alarm system will lock it out, just had to lock and unlock again, not sure turning the car off and on had anything to do with it. I think many owners around here remove the alarm lock out so it is manual.
     
  22. Julia

    Julia F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 22, 2014
    6,467
    Houston
    How does one remove the alarm lock out?
     
  23. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    I don't know the details, but I've heard several 355 Spiders go 100% manual, which my guess is no electric motor or alarm lock outs. Maybe someone has done it here. Long as mine works 100%, I believe I can tolerate it. Having owned two California with perfect and quick hard top operation all I can say is they've come a long ways in 15 years. :)
     
    Julia likes this.
  24. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    1,940
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Optimally the car should be running when lowering or raising the top. This let's the alternator do the electrical work. If the car is running, the alarm is a non-issue.
     
    Qavion likes this.
  25. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,648
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    I forgot my exact situation, but because of windows or something there was an electric "freeze" of the operation which required rebooting the alarm (off and on).
     

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