1999 Ferrari F355 Hot Rod Driven on Track

Racing driver Jeff Segal's Ferrari F355 project car is a lot like the F355 Challenge racecar, and sounds mega. Jeff says his intent was to bring joy to the driver in every circumstance. Did he succeed? The Drive's Mike Spinelli drove it at Monticello Motor Club to find out.
More at The Drive:
www.thedrive.com/video/28975/...

[@TechMetalRules]

The F355 is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed.

[@lucaskocan]

Agreed my friend 👍

[@jesterokjones4954]

I liked the 348 too, but everyone else apparently hated it...

[@phrodendekia]

Yes. It's perfect on ita own way.

[@TheWolvesCurse]

people tend to forget what 380hp meant in the early 90s. that was damn lot of power. that was about the same output as a Viper made at the time, with more than twice the displacement.

[@1970HondaCL100]

Please post more content. DRIVE has always been great.

[@Chazlovesburnouts]

+1

[@jo05dk]

I hate the exhaust note. With the right exhaust a F355 sounds b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. This, to me, makes noise. That said: I LOVE the idea of optimizing this great car. Driving it must have been such a joy. Major kudos to the owner and people who did it!

[@OpenRoader]

In a modern world that is only obsessed with data and micro 0-60 times, magazine/vloggers never talk about driving the car. About how it actual is to operate. All these insane numbers, top speeds, 1/4 mile times and lateral G's are amazing. But 0.001% of the population will ever own one of these modern engineering marvels and of that tiny percentage, most of those owners will either never drive them at all or let alone to their limits. But these cars...the 355 and even the earlier "Drivers Cars" like the 328 and 308 didn't need 500 hp to be exciting. These drivers cars are about balance. First, they are small. Very small. The 308 is shorter than an early 2000's Nissan Sentra by almost a foot in length and the roof is only to the top of the side view mirror. And they are light. All the controls are for the human senses to discern, not to be balanced by a computer that helps you drift. In real life, driving an automobile takes place below 80 mph. This era car gives you ton's of excitement to tear through corners, gripping the wheel, manually shifting and operating all the controls that keep you on the road. Ask a Tesla owner, after the initial shock of hard line acceleration, is there anything else exciting about driving the car? Ask dual clutch paddle shifter car owners to drive a manual gear box car, in a canyon (not on a track) where lap times don't matter. Just you and the machine. There are ton's of great "Drivers Cars" that don't need 500-1000 hp to give you one hell of an experience.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Open Roader I agree, the gated shifter alone puts it in a different league entirely.

[@timpurcell6931]

Plus, for the time they were fast. Performance has to be viewed relevant to the period it was introduced. 300+ hp was a KOT in the early to mid 90s.

[@bernardbernabe7733]

This is for me the essence of a sportscar. Not these modern hypercars drawn by kids.

[@newtagwhodis4535]

For anyone in the know: I truly wish Ferrari Challenge would be remade and modernized as a video game from the PS3. It was one of the sharpest and most beautiful games I’ve ever played, to the very top of the list of finest simulation racing games. For the era, the highest tier along with Formula One Championship. For some it was a paramount feeling being behind the wheel of formula one greats 1970’s onward. Thank you for sharing this review! Excellent content!

[@ThingsandStuffchannel]

I love the sound of 355's, but this one sounds a bit shit in my opinion. I don't know how that's possible, but they did it

[@BLZBulb]

Exactly. To me it sounds like some kid beating the hell out of his 350K mile CRX.

[@jlopez1017d]

Yeah when he said it was one of the best sounding V8’s I thought I was crazy that it sounded hideous to me

[@ThingsandStuffchannel]

@@jlopez1017d I'm guessing he was either just trying to be nice to the owner, or he was just referring to the 355 in general having one of the best sounding v8's

[@eliad.314]

@@BLZBulb Ahahahahah yeah.. exactly vtec ahah

[@danschroeder1690]

exactly, my 355 has a custom exhaust and it sounds like a jr f1 engine. I never turn the stereo on when I drive it.

[@ericmoore3174]

I was hoping for more “hot rod” than interior re-furb and suspension settings. Monticello is amazing. New video guys.

[@Ovadose850]

I remember driving on Fujimi Kaido In this car. Forza Motorsport 3. Those were Good times.

[@Darklighter43]

Love the way this car sounds!

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Thumbs up for painting the correct picture on the evolution from 348 to F355. Most reviewers forgo that by saying ‘the 348 was shit [insert quote Di Montezemolo], the F355 is great’. But as always, there is more to it.

[@iantownsend500]

Still like this more than any modern Ferrari

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

dream car but that exhaust looks terrible put a tubi style on ASAP

[@johncamera5747]

I’ve become so connected to this model.Bravo!

[@TedwardDrives]

what a sound! Nice driving Mike

[@urgetodrive]

I almost miss my F355 GTS...I even had a set of those Speedline Challenge wheels. Great content.

[@jesterokjones4954]

LMAO, I KNOW you don't miss the fucking maintenance!

[@ottofilmore5227]

The "modificata" badge brings it into that factory+ sweet spot.

[@petemedina8446]

Awesome looking car it sounds great and looks great cornering too.

[@spavatch]

Haven't enjoyed Drive content as much as this for a long time :)

[@baraPaskis]

All you who are complaining about it sounds like a 4-cyl. It’s because a ”flat plane” V8 basically is two 4-cyl side by side. Same fireing order per row/bank. You can make it sound different with a certain exhaust system. I guess this one has separate systems for each cyl bank, hense the sound.

[@timpurcell6931]

baraPaskis - you’re correct. Ferrari has completely separate ecu’s and other systems for each bank.

[@baraPaskis]

If people just could understand 😄

[@FizzyMotors]

I miss the greatness of this channel

[@basithph8958]

I love the F355 I remember seeing it in movies like Fast & Furious and the Rock

[@neilurwin9670]

Brilliant Video All The Best Health.

[@garyking4032]

Beautiful. It got a lot of flack, but I had the 348 for about 5 years and loved it, even though it span me off the road a couple of times.

[@maximus1318able]

I didn't mind thr 348. I understand the hate it received but all in all it wasn't as bad as advertised.

[@offitcock]

Remember when drive content went behind a pay wall, so no body watched their stuff?? I don't think Ive watched this channel since and there used to be some great content. Cool car to come back too 👍👍

[@gabethomas8123]

Hell yeah, Mike Spinelli! I've been wondering when we'd see this guy again. Glad /drive brought him back.

[@bump_draft]

This is really short on details. What was different in the alignment? How did he quicken the steering? I like my 355 but I find the steering too slow for my preference, it's hard to throw it around and I'd love to quicken it up.

[@AmericasChoice]

Does the exhaust sound better in person...?

[@michaelsimko7694]

Ferraris from the 90s and early 2000s are my favorites. The 355 was a masterpiece. I also love the 456GT and 550 Marranelo, which were European luxury Ferraris.

[@paulthomson9709]

As opposed to non European ferraris? Italy is in Europe, they are all european .

[@vivianvaldi7871]

Is it not a bit over sterring out of curves... when pushing back ?

[@Tothefloor]

I loved my 99 355 but it was crazy $$ to own and always had issues.

[@Toni62R]

Yess - they are expensive and very sensitive DIVAs...

[@richardcarter1000]

One of the greatest Ferrari's. Had mine 11 years now. That one doesn't sound so great for some reason.

[@yass123]

I didn't think the drive was still on KZbin

[@toivonencresto]

Exhaust in this car did the miracle of make the engine sound terrible

[@cicli]

Mike may like the F355 for a fun ride, but his t-shirt indicates who really deserves :-)

[@gheorghefiliuta1532]

Both the 348 and 355 where great cars

[@toddlawson8122]

Those uneven / bent exhaust tips have my OCD like 📈

[@RichardHuttonPA]

Love the car, awesome job on the build! But how did you manage to make a 355 sound like a ricer?!!! Next mod .... unleash that beautiful symphony trapped within ......

[@leobuckey]

The exhaust tips are a bit wonky but it sounds amazing

[@rogerfoxtrot4306]

Nice !!!

[@ahemgee9542]

Where did this guy randomly appear, in this epic 355?

[@tarek307]

love it

[@drive]

Here's an interview with Jeff Segal that has way more details about the build (including the exhaust and tires). www.thedrive.com/video/28975/this-hot-rodded-ferrari-is-all-about-bringing-joy

[@melp3033]

What happened to Drive? Did you guys move on to a new project? You guys stopped making videos.

[@pezzonovante888]

I read the article on this (C&D I think?). Pretty cool.

[@drive]

It was our homies at Road & Track.

[@Toni62R]

5.2 Bosch Ignition - not so fast than the older 2.7 - the exhaust sound is also very special - I like the howling sound of my classic F355 more...

[@FicaGTI]

Yes, and as I am aware all challenge cars kept 2.7 system

[@SCDC-Channel]

348 is one of the best looking Ferrari ever, Montezemelo was probably drunk not to like it.....btw. love the F355 also ;)

[@grenmastermike]

High clutch engagement? Doesn't that mean that the slave cylinder isn't shimmed correctly?

[@jeeps005]

bravo

[@timgosling6189]

I think the exhaust has lost a few of the high notes that make the standard car so special, but it does sound very much like a competition system. The 'felt' is likely alcantara, and I'd have checked the right-hand front hood latch was properly closed before taking the car on track.

[@drive]

All fair, though the interior is felt not alcantara.

[@benpasquale6353]

another fine product of italy

[@Aristocrafied]

damn that slomo at 3:36 hurts my eyes with the vertical refresh..

[@kylekennedy420]

Damn where have you guys been

[@drive]

Keanon Williams Man do we have a story for you.

[@cali4niasurfer]

Listening

[@drive]

@@cali4niasurfer Soon

[@cliftonjackson441]

I just read about this car in the last road and track

[@drive]

That’s the one. We all drove it the same week. Puppyknuckles (Dave Burnett) shot an awesome photo spread for them.

[@ryanj116]

My friend’s dad has a 355 spyder... so close but so far 😢

[@nathanielh7677]

Cool car, but somehow they made a 355 sound bad... :/

[@numberoneJATT]

348 for life

[@goldenvtr]

nice mr2

[@leobuckey]

A lot of Ferraris sound more noisy than musical but this one has soul.

[@richardhedd3080]

at 1:16 the show a still picture that says 355 Ferrari, but the picture is of a 348!? WTF

[@nimueh4298]

Enzo Ferrari pass away in 1988, the F355 came out in 1995 how can this be the last vehicle produced under his watch?

[@cossie60]

He's probably referring to the 348 there

[@00corin00]

My favorite Ferrari of all time! I do have to say though, this Ferrari sounds awful for some reason...

[@DavidDatura]

00corin00 yeah, my favorite Ferrari too.

[@s0uthp4w68]

its better than stock but I prefer the sound of the kreissieg f1 exhaust for the 355

[@AmericasChoice]

It is a bit raspy

[@deannorris5662]

It’s custom fabricated race exhaust. Not tuned for sound

[@rajivr104]

Vtec just kicked in yo.

[@jeremiahshields7827]

Sounds like a Honda through my phone lol.

[@forzanerazzurri2339]

Cool car. The passenger side of the hood near the windshield needs to be adjusted. Looks too high.

[@Daumex]

Why does it sound like a Honda Civic Type-R EP3?

[@MacktasticSlick_]

Exhaust sounds horrible and it’s visually crooked, shame

[@vomErsten]

Luca di Montezemolo's solution to never making a mistake like the 348 again was to basically ban instrumented testing of Ferrari's cars, though, soooo.... Also, this 355 sounds off. Where's the sing-song engine note? Reminds me of the current turbo-muffled F1 cars.

[@pmp1337]

Sounds shit because he got rid of the unreliable Y shape exhaust headers. But the headers on the 355 are a work of art. They are tuned and built like a musical instrument. That is why people put Capristos and Tubis mufflers but rarely change the headers which are actually known for cracking on the Y.

[@terryc7654]

I may be alone on this one but I like the 348 more than the 355.

[@skiduplightup6962]

How do you make a Ferrari sound like a honda with an ebay fart cannon

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Maintenance is especially hellish on these.

[@driveshift]

Lol sounds like a Honda

[@gregmayled]

Marlowe Campos yeah they’ve ruined the stock sound

[@sonyviva308]

I always pronounce this car's name as Ferrari F three five five, and not three fifty five. Anyone the same?

[@paulthomson9709]

For f$ck sake America !!! It's not a 3,55 !! It's a 35 ,5 . It's a 3.5 litre 5 valve per cylinder .

[@cressmanfoster]

I’ve never heard anybody say 35, 5 anywhere.

[@paulthomson9709]

@@cressmanfoster it's a ferrari 3,5,5 . 3.5 litre 5 valve per cylinder , missed a comma before lol

[@cressmanfoster]

Ha ha ok. That makes more sense.

[@GoldenLota]

Sweet car - the 355 is beautiful, but with all due respect calling this example a "hot rod" is a stretch. I hope to see more content from y'all.

[@lukes6335]

Sounds like a b series.

[@pelper1]

Need to put back the stock exhaust

[@riceball777]

Does anyone else think this car looks like an Toyota mr2?

[@roundrogers]

On camera this exhaust sounds like a ricer civic. Probably better in rl.

[@babiyvictor]

Sound exactly like tuned miata and please don't tell me that it doesn't as my spec miata sounds just like it. Am I the only one hearing it?

[@155stw]

The challenge exhaust on the F355 doesn't sound as good as a 360CS. The 355 sounds best with the stock exhaust because if has the F1 sound.

[@EfraKrajo]

Sounds like a four cylinder motor, why???

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

efrain kennedy could be the way the exhaust is routed. If they have separate routes for each bank, it will effectively sound like two 4 cylinder engines overlaid. Stock the exhaust joins up so you will hear all 8 cylinders coming together.

[@nighthawk0077]

This 355 sounds like it has congested sinus'

[@truthseeker8483]

So what was wrong with the 348? Too comfortable??..must be really bad having a comfortable car...yukk

[@uncutthedj5169]

My absolutely Dream Car F355! The exhaust sounds insane but the pipes look horrible sry!

[@macrolosses]

This car has a few more horsepower than a Camry in 2019. Think about that.

[@spavatch]

And Apollo space ship computer had less power than your microwave. But your microwave wouldn't be able to put your taste buds on the Moon, let alone a man. Think about that.

[@macrolosses]

@@spavatch the apollo didn't rely on a CPU to land on the moon. It relied on 100s of mathematicians, train pilots (who practice their sequencing for a years.), radar systems, satelite communications, and about 1.8 million lbs of thrust per engine.

[@chrismunsey3185]

Man the panel gaps on the right front end and around the right headlight look horrible.

[@ericmoore3174]

It’s a Ferrari from the 90’s. It’s when they were race cars not status symbols.

[@hellfire08]

It sounds like a Honda honestly

[@Jojo_Bee]

Hmmmm.... whatever they did, it's not the factory stock exhaust sound that the F355 is truly famous for. This engine just sounds like, well... another high revving naturally aspirated engine. It doesn't sound Ferrari F355 anymore. Sorry to say this, that thing sounds more like a Civic...

[@Chimi_Chonga_Supreme]

But wouldn't it be better with an actual jet engine?

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Disappointed about how it sounds? Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqSQeGZmi9tqq8k

[@JerkVegas86]

Sounds like a Honda

[@MithunKalan]

Jeff didn't close the hood properly.

[@ngekseng]

VTEC Yo.lol

[@jgerdinggmail]

Let's see what Chris Harris has to say ...

[@adamlewellen5081]

Sounds like a b series Honda🤣

[@AM-yy5tp]

Less talking, more engine noise!