Jeremy Clarkson’s first Ferrari F355 returns to auction

A 1996 Ferrari F355 GTS that was originally owned by Jeremy Clarkson is back at auction, and the question on many collectors’ minds is whether bidding will finally push the car into six-figure territory. The sale is being closely watched because of the car’s celebrity history and its condition, which has been described as unusually well kept.

The defining point of the car’s appeal is its first owner. Clarkson, the broadcaster and former presenter of the BBC’s motoring programme Top Gear, was the original purchaser, and that link is being presented as a key selling point. Celebrity first ownership can add a premium for buyers who want a car with a documented personal story, although how much that adds to the final price is difficult to predict. The car is therefore being offered not simply as a late-1990s Ferrari but as a vehicle with a recognisable chain of ownership that begins with one of Britain’s most visible motoring personalities.

Beyond its provenance, the F355 GTS is offered with several features that enthusiasts tend to value. The car has low mileage, which is a significant factor in valuing cars of this age because lightly used examples are generally more sought after than those with high distances recorded. It also carries carbon-backed seats, a specification that is described as rare for this model and one that collectors often look for when assessing an example’s originality and equipment. Fresh service work was completed in 2025, a detail that may reassure prospective bidders about the mechanical state of the car after nearly three decades on the road, and that gives buyers a more recent maintenance record to consider alongside the car’s history.

The F355 itself has a notable place in Ferrari’s output. Launched in the mid-1990s as a successor to the 348, the model was offered in coupé, Spider and GTS forms, the last being a targeted-top variant that combined a removable roof panel with the car’s fixed-roof structure. The GTS format is widely regarded as the most desirable body style among enthusiasts for its balance of open-air motoring and rigidity, which helps explain why well-kept examples attract strong interest at auction. Whether that broader demand is enough to lift this particular car past the six-figure mark will depend on how the sale is contested.

The final sale price is not yet known, and it remains unclear whether bidding will reach six figures. Auction results for classic Ferraris depend heavily on demand at the time of sale, on the strength of the specification and history, and on how many serious bidders attend. A famous former owner, low mileage and recent servicing all point in favour of a strong result, but none of these factors guarantees that the hammer price will reach the level suggested by the headline question. The outcome will show whether celebrity provenance can meaningfully add to the value of a modern classic Ferrari, a question that the market will answer once the bidding closes.

Source: motor1.com

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Eleanor Ellington

Staff Reporter

Eleanor Ellington covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Nobel. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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