The Ferrari F355 is widely regarded as a modern classic - so beautiful, so well engineered and so well received that it marked the beginning of the end for the old-guard Ferraristi philosophy, which held that only Ferraris with 12-cylinder engines were 'real' Ferraris.

The F355 Berlinetta and Targa GTS debuted on the world stage in the spring of 1994.

Although it shared nearly identical dimensions with its predecessor, the 348, the F355 was effectively a brand new car, as its stunning coachwork suggested.

Many hours of wind tunnel testing shaped its harmonious design, which featured an F1-style flat underbody and airflow channels that generated enough downforce to counteract lift.

Its longitudinally mounted 3,496cc V8 produced an exhilarating 380bhp at a spine-tingling 8,250rpm.

The gearbox now featured six speeds, with a new type of synchromesh that made shifting significantly easier.

Electronically adjustable shock absorbers could vary their stiffness within milliseconds to su...