F355 from the factory without power steering

Reading through one of the original books/roadtests on the F355 it noted that the F355 was offered without power steering as a factory option. I'm curious if anyone has a car or knows of a car without power steering from the factory? (I'm not sure if the challenge cars had power steering, but how about road cars?) My guess is very few left without power steering...

-Andrew

 

Judging by the lack of responses, it seems this must have been one of the rarest- if not THE rarest- factory option (or option to delete if you will..)

 

I’m guessing the “option” was never really offered.

Robb

 

I'm not sure where I got this impression, but I've always thought that the non-power steering rack was a Euro-only thing.

 

One thing I can think of is the euro cars had non-airbag steering wheels (which look very nice by the way)- maybe subliminally you equated that with non-power steering?

 

Some info here-

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/how-difficult-is-it-to-find-a-1995-355b-built-with-factory-manual-steering.50925/

 

No, I don't think so, and the other thread linked above would seem to support my recollection . . .

 

A bit off topic but how does the faster challenge rack compare to the stock one? And versus non power assistance...

 

https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/part/6882/ferrari/157544/mechanical-steering-box.html?_its=JTdCJTIydmlkJTIyJTNBJTIyMjUyNGE5ZWQtMWZhNC00NThjLWJkNGMtNTBmNzZkMzE0NmZjJTIyJTJDJTIyc3RhdGUlMjIlM0ElMjJybHR%2BMTY5Mjc2MTg2MH5sYW5kfjJfMjY3MzM5X3Nlb18wNmUzOTI5MDBmZWFhYWVlNmJmNGQ1ZDA0MTk1ODY3MSUyMiUyQyUyMnNpdGVJZCUyMiUzQTM5ODc5JTdE#fitment

 

The problem is, you go to order it and then they (probably) tell you it's nil stock. It also says here that the part is available to order:

https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Parts/157544/Ferrari/New/76340

Or have they started remanufacturing them?

 

“Apart from the displacement increase from 3.4 to 3.5L, the major difference between the V8 engine in the 348 and F355 is the introduction of a 5-valve cylinder head. This new head design allowed for better intake permeability and resulted in an engine that was considerably more powerful, producing 375 hp. The longitudinal V8 engine was bored 2mm over the 348’s engine (85 mm rather than 83 mm), resulting in the small increase in displacement. The frame is a steel monocoque with tubular steel rear sub-frame with front and rear suspensions using independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers with electronic control servos and anti-roll bars. Although the F355 was equipped with power-assisted steering (intended to improve low-speed drivability relative to the outgoing 348), this could optionally be replaced with a manual steering rack setup by special order.”



I believe there is a misconception the earliest 355’s were equipped with a manual rack. I believe 355’s were equipped with power steering from the get go. Although manual rack conversion parts might have been available, I don’t believe anyone had the balls to order it that way.

Conversion required a different front sway bar and other misc parts to complete.



If someone has a 355 with a manual rack, he has a 355 with the rarest option ever. He needs to speak up.

 

Mine is a 2.7 from 1995 without power steering.

 

Do you have pics of your front wheel well? I would like to see the front sway bar.

 

Just looking at the parts, doesn't look like a simple swap.


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Eurospares does that a lot. I've ordered more parts then later told that they're no longer available than parts that I've actually received from Eurospares.

 

There’s also a different front sway bar for whatever reason.



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If you don’t have the front sway bar, you probably don’t have it. Burden of proof will be high for those who claim to be in possession of a manual rack car. Modifying the power rack doesn’t count .

 

I believe you have failed to do your homework. 355 was available in non power steering outside of the US and are not terribly uncommon. They had a less aggressive suspension set up so people could actually steer them.

Challenge cars all had power steering for very good reason.

 

Failed to do my homework? Ha!

I’d wager you can’t find ONE example. Let’s see how much homework you’ve done.

 

Are you that stupid?

 

How much would you like to wager?

 

That’s what I figured.

 

Yes i can take a shot when i am in the garage next time, don't have the car at home

 

Actually i don't know but i am pretty sure they are more common here in EU than you think, i was more surprised all cars had power steering when i bought the car

 

Lanab. You should already know I’m on a discord with 355 owners all over the world including dealers who specialize in 355’s. NO ONE has ever come across a 355 with a manual rack. Chances are, your power steering rack is leaking .