Here’s one to make us all feel old: the Ferrari F355 is classic enough to be considered ripe for restomodding. It’s not just old Porsches, Fords, MGs and Alfas receiving a 21st-century rework - now the junior supercars of the '90s are getting a spruce up. Once over the initial surprise, however, it’s easy to understand why the old V8 might appeal to companies like Evoluto Automobili for a bit of optimisation.
The first is that 40-valve motor, of course, one of the finest sounding combustion engines of all time and paired to an open-gated manual in quite a lot of 355s (because it was on sale in the really early days of paddleshift manuals). There’s arguably no better time to celebrate one of the prettiest Ferrari berlinettas, either, launched 30 years ago this year and with the final ones made 25 years ago. As a very heavy rehash of the 348, the 355 is fairly simple by modern standards and will no doubt benefit significantly from updated tyre, brake and suspension tech. Let’s not forget the target market, either: those millennials who grew up lusting after an F355 once Lord Clarkson had called it the best car ever, a GTS stole the show at the start of Goldeneye and SEGA made the F355 Challenge game are now exactly the kind of people who might covet an Evoluto build. The wealthy ones, at least.
The design is described as ‘true to the original ethos of the iconic Italian supercar’, which would imply this 355 is not drastically different to the original (pics were only made available after this story was written). There has been input from Callum Designs, which had a hand in the R-Reforged Vanquish, so it might be worth checking that out for an angle on what kind of modernisation to expect. But fret not, the pop-up lights remain, now using LEDs including daytime running lights. There’s a new front end to improve cooling, larger wheels and a ‘more muscular physique to signify the power that lies beneath’, though everything so far points to the Evoluto car being recognisable as a 355. Phew.
In best restomod fashion, however, there’s far more to this car than meets the eye. Most notably, the donor chassis benefits from a substantial 23 per cent increase in torsional stiffness thanks to carbon fusing, fortifying hard points and reducing flex. The body panels are carbon fibre now, too, which should bring weight down to 1,250kg. An all-new electronic architecture, designed in-house by Evoluto, aims to improve the reliability and performance of all the car’s systems. It’s said to be simpler to maintain than stock, too, which will surely be welcome news to anyone who’s been bogged down with old Italian electrics. Paying attention to the less sexy stuff like wiring is also an encouraging sign for the thoroughness of the project.
There’s plenty of sexy stuff for this 355, however, rest assured. Evoluto is targeting what it calls a ‘Peak Analogue driving experience’, which means making the six-speed manual more tactile than ever, uprating the brake discs pads, lines and fluid with Brembo kit (and offering a ceramic option for the very committed), plus fitting road focused Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres to allow ‘the ability to break traction and explore the dynamics of the revised chassis in environments suitable for sliding.’ A noble endeavour if ever there was one. There isn’t a great deal of information on the suspension yet, only a note to say that it’s been tuned for ‘enhanced handling and stability’, though some high-end aftermarket hardware seems likely.
Similarly, there’s not a tonne of info about the Evoluto 355 interior just yet, apart from the usual restomod promises about bespoking everything and being surrounded by lovely materials. It’ll probably have CarPlay, that sort of thing. Nice stuff to have when spending this money, sure, but surely not the main reason to sink a small fortune on a reworked 90s Ferrari. There’s the engine for that…
Though retaining the same 3.5-litre capacity, the flat-plane crank V8 now boasts 420hp (up from 380hp) thanks to more than 200 new or redesigned engine bits. So there’s coil-on-plug ignition for better timing and efficiency (plus ‘explosive’ throttle response), a CNC ported head, larger inlet valves, solid cam lifters, a new inlet cam, and Evoluto’s upgrade of the quill shaft that connects engine to gearbox, promising less vibration and better reliability. Particular attention has also been paid to the exhaust, which is good to hear given the 355’s rep as one of the best-sounding Ferrari V8s ever. The titanium system boasts equal length headers to reduce back pressure and enhance flow, with Evoluto promising ‘increased horsepower and torque, especially at higher RPMs, along with optimised engine tuning and an emotional acoustic profile.’ So that’s not going to sound terrible.
Evoluto is going to build just 55 of these glorious things, with a car on display at Festival of Speed this weekend and a US debut coming up at Monterey. Price? As per most builds like this, it’s going to be down to individual spec, but expect a lot. A good donor F355 is going to be at least £90k, and carbon panels don’t come cheap. Nor do forged wheels, or the expertise of Callum Designs, or ceramic brakes. But the potential for something wonderful with the 355 by Evoluto is plain to see. Let’s hope the reality can match it.
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