My quest for a 355 is finally done...

Well my saga of searching for a 355 has finally come to an end and the car proudly sits in my garage as I originally planned.
My journey to this point started with the idea that I wanted a Ferrari. Price point and desirability led me to 355s and all I ever really wanted was a Rosso Corsa Spider and a 3 pedal. The first one I found had everything I wanted, price, locality, service records, etc. The story of that car is well documented in my posts and the importance of doing a compression check on any purchase of one of these saved my a**. That car was a major disappointment for me as I invested a bit of time, some money and emotional attachment to it only to have to walk away.
From there the search led me all over the country and countless phone calls, emails, offers, counter offers, trying to buy one of these over the phone and internet just proved exhausting. I widened my search to F1 and even other colors and with that I became overwhelmed with the search process as more cars came into view.
Finally after a good talk with myself about what I really wanted and what I really wanted to see in my garage I firmly decided it would be a Rosso Corsa spider, 6 speed without a challenge grill.
I was well educated in the car and the after market options, stickies, majors, challenge grills and of course compression/leak down tests. Price is of course an issue and no one wants to overpay for anything but in the end getting all the variables to come together without compromising what your desires are to much may mean that you have to just pull the trigger and put the purchase process behind you and enjoy the car.
I found mine through this forum and Ill let the seller identify himself if he’d like. I was able to physically see the car and have it shipped to my home, which is s story for another thread which I will document as there are lessons to be shared with the community concerning a vendor that are not good.
I would like to just comment on the wonderful , forthcoming people I have met around the country over the telephone and in person on this quest. All of these people had nothing to gain from me other than sharing information and expertise and what I learned from all of them was invaluable.
Dave Helms took 3 phone calls from me and probably spent over two hours just explaining, helping and answering questions on the subject of manifolds, exhaust, etc. My first project will be a gold kit.
The folks at Algar in PA. Mike and Tony gave me almost three hours of their time in their shop allowing able to watch them diagnose the issues with my first target car and ask questions and get real time answers all at no additional cost after the first compression check. A terrific experience.
Jack Babbit at NJB auto in Ohio who had done a PPI on my car for the prior owner and also took three calls from me and allowed me to pick his brain raw.
I probably bothered more people than I care to imagine but I will actually miss the hunting process. It was educational , challenging and fun.

Enough said. One last thing. If anyone is looking for a superb 98F1, rosso corsa spider, low mileage and perfectly sorted and manintained, contact me or the seller is on this forum and I will let him identify himself if he’d like. He is a gentleman and a great guy. His car deserves a look by anyone in that market.
So here are some photos. I know to many on here it may be a cliché. Rosso Corsa spider, but it is my cliché and I am fine with that. I included some pics of my garage and what I have done to accommodate it along with my 73 TR6 which is a nostalgic thing for me as it was my first “sports” car back in the day in those colors and is a hell of a lot of fun to drive and easy to maintain and parts are plentiful. I had it on top but anyone who knows LBCs know that they mark their turf and I didn’t want to chance an issue. I do have the pans on the lift but I feel better with it this way. Although the 355 is leaking some coolant I see now 
Thanks to everyone on here who answered my questions and helped me through this process as well. I look forward to the camaraderie going forward.
I have to mention Dave Rocks as well. We have become good friends and he is one smart guy and has helped keep my head screwed on straight. Thanks Dave!
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I forgot to even describe the car.

I am the fourth owner. It has lived in Ohio/Kentucky all its life. Has 18000 miles, major done last march, tubi exhaust, stickies all done. dash is good, had a full detail in and out by Todd Cooperider in 2011. Passed compression test. Headers are stock but were repaired by Ferrari Dealer in 2006. All Keys and Keyfobs still in original Ferrari packaging. All books, tool kits, OEM storage cover with wheel and seat covers and bag. Upgraded sound system with trunk mounted amp, speakers replaced and subwoofer.

My goals are: Shields, paint calipers (red), Fabspeed license plate holder.

and...enjoy it.

 

The lift is a Bend Pak and I installed it myself. Let me know if you want to talk about it.

I had an X1/9 back in the day also. I was just telling Dave about driving that thing to Orlando and back from NJ in 1978! That was a Bertone design, mid engine. I think it had 90 BHP on a good day haha. Small trunk in the rear and the Targa top went in the front trunk. I think I replaced the wheel bearings on that thing 3 times in a year.

This TR6 I bought 3 years ago. It isn't the one I owned back then, just the same colors. Much like the 355s, there are certain upgrades that have been worked out for them over the years and they can be made reliable and fun to own. Really easy to work on also .

 

Thank you guys for all the nice comments. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of this group in the future. It's great to be part of such a diverse , unique gathering.

Just came back from dinner with a good friend who I was reticent to share this with as the whole ostentatious thing kind of gripped me. As a good friend should be, he was enthusiastic and supportive and engaging in sharing my stories and excitement. Good stuff and if the weather cooperates we are going for a ride tomorrow!!

 

Hey Henry. Thank you for the nice note. I put about 60 miles on it in 2 days and didn't go more than 10 miles from my house lol. I think three coffee runs, pep boys, the gym and Anythng else I could think of. Oh a third of a tank of gas of course