Fire demon attacks Ferrari youngtimer: 170,000 euros in damage in Passau!

Fire demon attacks Ferrari youngtimer: 170,000 euros in damage in Passau!

A 63-year-old man from the Passau district will likely have bad memories of Saturday afternoon, August 24, 2025. While he was driving his Ferrari F355, a real classic car, he experienced a nightmare on four wheels. At around 5:30 p.m. he suddenly noticed flames in his rearview mirror and was just able to escape the burning vehicle. The Italian sports car was completely engulfed in flames on the outskirts of Neuhaus am Inn, like that Augsburger Allgemeine reported.

The fire brigade was able to extinguish the fire, but the vehicle was completely burned out. The material damage is estimated at around 170,000 euros, which would be a proud sum for many. Evidence of a technical defect could be the cause of the fire, which is not unusual in a classic car like this. The owner had previously refueled in Austria, which may have increased the shock after the incident.

A special collector's item

The Ferrari F355 the man was driving is no ordinary sports car. Produced between 1994 and 1999, it is one of the brand's last models with pop-up headlights, making it a rare and sought-after piece on the car market. With an output of 380 hp and a weight of around 1,485 kilograms, the F355 is not only visually appealing, but also a technical masterpiece. Wikipedia describes the sporty vehicle as a perfect mix of elegance and power, as it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.

A total of 11,273 units of the Ferrari F355 were manufactured, most of which are still popular today due to their excellent performance and attractive design. Due to the years it was built, this Ferrari could have been considered a classic car in just four years, as German vehicle registration regulations require cars to be at least 30 years old. Youngtimers are described as vehicles that are at least 20 but less than 30 years old German Wikipedia.

An unfortunate incident

The incident in Neuhaus am Inn is particularly tragic for an owner of a vehicle that is often considered the epitome of driving pleasure. The fire department is often faced with similar operations, but in this case the complete destruction of the vehicle was unavoidable. A technical defect that led to such a violent fire should be of concern to every car owner, especially with older, valuable vehicles. You could say there is something really going on when it comes to the safety of luxury sports cars.

This incident will certainly remain a topic of conversation in the automotive enthusiast scene for a long time. The combination of rarity and technical sophistication makes the Ferrari F355 a dream vehicle for many, and this loss is painfully felt.