Kenyan automotive journalist and luxury car broker Earl Karanja has purchased his first personal Ferrari. Karanja acquired a classic Ferrari F355 GTS sourced from Japan after a 10-month search. The purchase marks a personal milestone for the Nairobi-born automotive enthusiast, who has built a career around luxury and exotic vehicles.
The 1990s sports car reflects a passion that began decades ago. Karanja has said the Ferrari F355 first captured his attention in 1995 after he watched the James Bond film GoldenEye.
Ferrari F355 GTS Marks a Longtime Dream
Karanja’s newly acquired Ferrari features the iconic Rosso Corsa red finish and a six-speed gated manual transmission.
The F355 GTS combines a removable roof panel with the driving experience of a traditional sports car. Its design and analogue controls have helped maintain its appeal among classic Ferrari enthusiasts.
Under the bonnet, the car carries a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V8 engine with five valves per cylinder. The engine produces approximately 380 horsepower and 363 Nm of torque. Ferrari quoted a top speed of around 295 km/h for the model.
Unlike many modern performance cars, the F355 relies on a naturally aspirated engine and conventional manual gearbox rather than turbocharging or electric assistance.
From Teenage Blogger to Luxury Car Broker
Although this is Karanja’s first personal Ferrari, he has spent years working around rare and expensive vehicles. He began his automotive journey as a teenage blogger before writing for international automotive platforms, including GTspirit.
He later moved into luxury vehicle brokering, connecting buyers with high-end cars across international markets. His work has included transactions involving rare supercars and hypercars, often sourced through private networks.
Previous Deals Involving Rare Ferraris
Karanja previously attracted attention for brokering a rare Ferrari LaFerrari reportedly valued at €4.69 million.
He has also been associated with shipping a Ferrari F40 from Japan to a buyer in the United States. These transactions have helped establish his profile within East Africa’s luxury automotive scene.
Fans Celebrate Karanja’s Ferrari Purchase
Karanja shared his Ferrari ownership milestone on social media, prompting congratulatory messages from followers.
For an automotive professional who regularly handles exceptional vehicles for clients, owning a Ferrari of his own represents a different kind of achievement. The F355 GTS also brings a long-standing childhood dream to life, following a search that lasted 10 months.
