As far as Ferraris go, the 355 Berlinetta is not a well-loved car. Sure, it has its devotees and it’s still not what most would consider an affordable car. Much like a mule it isn’t the best looking horse in the stable, but its statistics are still very impressive. The 355 was one of the first production cars to produce in excess of 100hp/L thanks in part to a free flowing 5-valve head and also an 8500rpm rev-limit. It was also one of the first available with an automated manual transmission.

Japanese Ferrari owners seem to see the 355 in this light, rather than as a status symbol whose time has past. Americans may not understand the business logic behind producing a stroker kit or exhaust system for this car as opposed to one of Ferrari’s newer models, but that’s simply not the case in Japan. Ben previously highlighted the TODA stroker kit that is now available for this car. TODA also made a racing version of this engine as seen below.

More recently, we discovered that Saclam has made an exhaust and GruppeM makes their Super Ram Intake for the 355 as well. Besides this there are a plethora of boutique shops scattered around Japan that specialize in customizing and maintaining older Ferraris. If there’s a lesson in all this, it’s to avoid the throwaway mentality that some seem to have with even cars of this caliber. Take what you have, use it and make it better.