The first major update to Ferrari’s 550 Maranello, the 575M Maranello very much kept the same formula as its predecessor, albeit for a few key changes. The most significant change was Ferrari’s offering of its new F1-style gearbox as an optional extra, the first time this gearbox was fitted to a front-engined V-12. The gearbox proved to be hugely popular, and most customers opted to have it, leaving only a handful of traditionalists with the gated six-speed manual transmission.

Offered here is what is perhaps the ideal driver’s Ferrari 575M Maranello. Finished in Argento Nürburgring, keen eyes will note that this car does not boast the ubiquitous Scuderia shields fitted to the front fenders. Inside, the interior is trimmed in black leather interior and fitted with the optional carbon-fiber sport seats, an exceptionally rare option, in addition to the already rare six-speed manual transmission. Furthermore, the car is also fitted with the Fiorano Handling Package, which includes a re-mapped suspension (with lowered, stiffer springs, adjusted camber and toe, and a stabilizer bar), upgraded Pagid brake pads, and a more performance-oriented power-steering governing chip.

Delivered new through Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, Connecticut, a previous Massachusetts title on file shows that the car was purchased by Theodore E. Shasta Jr. of Harvard, Massachusetts, in August of 2006 at 1,635 miles. He would go on to keep the car for the following 10 years, and it was subsequently purchased by the current owner and imported to Switzerland in early 2017 at 7,673 miles. Prior to this, the car received a major service in September of 2016 at Boston Sportscar, which included replacing the timing belts.

Only 246 examples were equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and it can be certain that only a handful of these were fitted with the Fiorano Handling Package and sport seats. Optioned as such, this example beautifully treads the line between a sports car and grand tourer, perhaps the best of both worlds, and recalling the great dual-purpose 250 GT and 275 GTB models of Ferrari’s storied past. Perfect for inclusion in the world’s best collection of modern Ferraris, it would be a brilliant example to preserve as one of the last analog front-engined, twelve-cylinder Ferraris ever built.