Jeremy Clarkson's Ferrari F355 GTS: "The best car in the world" is up for auction

Clarkson, known from the TV and streaming formats "Top Gear" and "The Grand Tour," never made a secret of his enthusiasm for the Ferrari F355 GTS and purchased his own example after testing it in 1996. This very vehicle, which he drove for years and featured in several of his shows and columns, is now going under the hammer. The F355 GTS will be auctioned on July 8, 2025 – featuring rare features and in remarkably well-maintained condition.

Clarkson first encountered the F355 while filming the VHS show "Unleashed on Cars." The 3.5-liter V8, the responsive handling, and the design language immediately won him over. After testing it, he decided to buy one himself. He ordered the car from Maranello Sales in Egham, a well-known Ferrari dealership with an Art Deco showroom at the time.

Clarkson chose a GTS variant with a removable Targa roof. Painted in Rosso Corsa, the interior was trimmed in light Crema leather with red carpets. Particularly striking were the rare, factory-fitted sports seats with red inserts. The configuration was complemented by the classic six-speed manual transmission—not an F1 automatic system, but the typical Ferrari shift pattern with an open H-gate.

The sports car became an integral part of Clarkson's media life. It appeared in "Clarkson's Car Years," was featured in several columns in the Sunday Times, and was featured on the cover of "Hot 100" magazine. Clarkson also became famous for his attempt to retake his driving test in the Ferrari in 1999 – unsuccessful, as he himself wrote.

All these appearances made the model more than just a used car with a prominent provenance—it became an automotive historical document. The original order forms, the warranty card in Clarkson's name, and all manuals are complete.

After approximately four years and only 6,000 miles, the Ferrari was raffled off as part of a Sunday Times competition. After two more owners, the Ferrari ended up in the current seller's collection in 2013. Since then, the car has been regularly serviced by John Pogson, a renowned Ferrari specialist at Italia Autosport.

In May 2025, the F355 GTS underwent a comprehensive service. This included replacing the timing belt, steering, and brake fluid, as well as a complete paintwork reconditioning. The bill totaled 9,345 pounds (approximately 11,000 euros). The current odometer shows 14,899 miles (approximately 24,000 kilometers).

The F355 GTS is technically closely related to the Berlinetta, but offers a more open-top feel thanks to its removable roof panel. The transversely mounted 3.5-liter V8 produces 380 hp at 8,250 rpm and develops 363 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.

Thanks to the five-valve cylinder head—three intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder—the engine is one of the most revving of its time. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.7 seconds, and its top speed is approximately 295 km/h. The chassis is based on a fully independent double-wishbone design with adjustable dampers that can be switched between Sport and Comfort modes. The braking system consists of internally ventilated discs all around and is supported by ABS—state-of-the-art for the time.

The open H-gate transmission remains a trademark to this day. The manual GTS is significantly rarer than later F1-powered variants—and accordingly sought after among collectors.

The Ferrari F355 is considered by many enthusiasts to be the last "true" V8 Ferrari before the transition to the electronic era. The fact that this example also boasts a distinguished history, rare sports seat configuration, and complete documentation makes it a true collector's item. RM Sotheby's estimates it at £180,000 to £220,000 (€210,000 to €227,000) – a sum that certainly includes the celebrity bonus.