Ferrari F355 Spider: Shaquille O’Neal’s modified 1998 example

Ferrari F355 Spider, Berlinetta and GTS: Maranello’s step forward

The Ferrari F355 Spider - along with the other F355 variants, the Berlinetta and GTS - is widely regarded as some of the finest work to come out of Maranello. It replaced the much-criticised 348 and, while it was developed from that model, it represented a major jump forward.

Performance, quality and day-to-day usability

That step change was clear in performance, thanks to 380 hp from the naturally aspirated 3.5 V8 (F129) with five valves per cylinder, delivered at a lofty 8250 rpm. At the time, this made it the naturally aspirated engine with the highest specific output in the world. Improvements also extended to perceived quality and even everyday usability, serving as Italy’s answer to then-new rivals such as the Honda NSX.

Universally praised by the press, it was also a major commercial hit for the Italian brand. In its day, it became the most-produced Ferrari ever, with more than 11 thousand units - although its successors, including the 360 and the 430, would go on to achieve even greater sales.

Shaquille O’Neal’s F355 Spider

Shaquille O’Neal, a defining NBA star, was not immune to the charms of the baby-Ferrari. In 1998, he bought the example shown in the images: a Ferrari F355 Spider.

With just over 11 900 km on the clock, it wears Argento Nürburgring and is fitted with the then-new technology of Ferrari’s six-speed semi-automatic gearbox, known as F1. It marked the beginning of Ferrari’s push for quicker gear changes, a journey that ultimately led to today’s dual-clutch transmissions and the disappearance of manual gearboxes. Even so, as the opening chapter of that technical storyline, it never managed to persuade enthusiasts as effectively as the purely manual alternative.

Making room for 2.16 m and 147 kg

This F355 Spider, however, is not like the others - differences explained by who its first owner was, or rather what he was like. Even among basketball players, Shaquille O’Neal cuts an imposing figure. At 2.16 m tall and 147 kg, he was one of the biggest and heaviest players in the NBA - so would he actually fit inside the compact Italian roadster?

He ultimately managed to “fit” after a series of modifications to his F355 Spider.

The extra interior space he needed came from removing the roof and its mechanism - meaning it can only really be used on sunny days - and by deleting the standard fuel tank fitted to the F355 Spider. A replacement fuel tank was installed at the front, in the space normally used for the luggage compartment.

Interior, audio and wheels

The original seats were also swapped for bucket-style items, notable for having Super-Homem logos added to the headrests - “Shaq” was even used as a nickname. Harnesses were fitted alongside the buckets instead of relying on the original seat belts.

The changes did not stop with alterations intended to make Shaquille O’Neal comfortable in the cabin of his Ferrari F355 Spider. A bespoke Alpine sound system was added, with part of it incorporated into a new cover behind the seats. The standard 18″ wheels were also replaced with 19″ Giovanna Luxury items.

Bring a Trailer listing

Shaquille O’Neal’s F355 Spider is for sale on Bring a Trailer and, with one day left in the auction, the price has reached 48 500 dollars (39 600 euros) - a bargain when set against the market value of other F355s, likely reflecting the modifications made to suit the towering first owner.