How the Ferrari F355 Spider has become a brand in itself
The Ferrari F355 was such a good car that it became a brand in itself, writes owner and enthusiastKevin Yeung
Luxury homes perch over stunning beaches on a gorgeous rock-lined ribbon of tarmac that connects the south side of Hong Kong Island. Welcome to the Chinese Riviera. Residents include the world's most successful Ferrari dealership - more prancing horses are sold in this enclave than in Canada and Australia combined. Blessed with endless corners, it's the perfect road to drive my Ferrari F355 Spider.
Captivating from every angle, the F355's taut, athletic lines possess a timeless quality. Twenty years after it was first unveiled, it's still regarded as car designer Pininfarina's most successful work since the Dino.
My long-standing love affair with the 355 stretches back 16 years to my first 1997 "Nart blue" Spider. Leading a gruelling life, it served as my daily ride and was driven everywhere; to work, the shops, through Hong Kong's torrential rainstorms and typhoons. The roof leaked occasionally but my Spider never left me stranded.
After four years, I foolishly traded it for a new sports car. Ultimately, I would trifle through a series of cars before realising how much I missed my 355's magic.
When the opportunity arose to be reunited, I seized it without a test-drive. This was a huge mistake. Once I drove my old friend, I realised something was horribly wrong, and learned that it had been in a crash.