Introduced four years after the Ferrari 458 Italia as a 2013 model, the 458 Speciale is indeed special. Though quite similar in appearance to its predecessor, the mid-engine supercar benefits from numerous advancements that elevate its performance to another level.

Ferrari Style Center collaborated with Pininfarina to redesign most of the body panels for improved aerodynamics while leaving the overall aesthetic largely unchanged. Using processes and machinery employed by its F1 team, Ferrari engineers upgraded the F136 4.5-liter V-8 with enhanced components and a lofty 14:1 compression ratio. Capable of revving to a screaming 9,000 rpm, it was the most powerful naturally aspirated V-8 the automaker had built to that point. Ferrari claimed it held the highest output per liter of displacement of any naturally aspirated engine in a production vehicle at the time.

Other hardware upgrades gave the 458 Speciale the quickest steering response and highest lateral acceleration of any production Ferrari. “Active” aerodynamic elements further improved the driving dynamics with flaps in the front and rear automatically changing position to either improve drag or downforce as needed. An ingenious software algorithm in the all-new Side-Slip Control system worked with the improved adaptive magnetic dampers, F1 dual-clutch transmission, and E-Diff rear differential to create seemingly supernatural responses and predictability at the limit, making ordinary drivers feel as skillful as professional racers.

A convertible version, called the 458 Speciale Aperta followed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Extremely light, compact, and aesthetically pleasing, whether up or down, its impressive retractable hardtop deploys and retracts in a mere 14 seconds and takes up less space than a conventional convertible top. The electric rear window can be raised and lowered independently of the top and remains partially deployed when the top is down to quell wind buffeting in the cabin. Offering better protection from the elements, increased sound protection, and more headroom than a soft-top, thanks to its double-curved shape, the retractable hardtop also improves performance by better withstanding the high-pressure field that forms over the roof at high speeds.

Despite weighing 350 kilograms (772 pounds) more than the fixed-roof Speciale coupe, the Speciale Aperta is just as quick from a standstill to 62 mph (100 km/h), requiring just 3.0 seconds. The difference in performance only becomes apparent when accelerating from 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h), where the Aperta lags by just a few tenths of a second, and at top speed—320 km/h (198.8 mph) versus 325 km/h (201.9 mph) for the coupe.

The example offered here is finished in Rosso Corsa over Alcantara Nera interior. The interior features numerous, custom, factory finishes, including various surfaces covered in matching Alcantara, carbon fiber trim elements throughout, embroidered logos on the headrests of the size large racing seats, and special contrast stitching. Factory options dressing up the exterior include Scuderia Ferrari shields, a titanium exhaust, and carbon fiber rear flaps and wheel center caps.

Showing less than 350 miles on the odometer at cataloguing time, it has been cherished as part of a collection its entire life and is ready to be admired and enjoyed by its next fortunate caretaker.