In front of the world's automotive media at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled its long-awaited F430 replacement: the 458. Its styling was dramatic, but careful observers noted its sole transmission: a seven-speed dual-clutch developed by Germany's Getrag.
It marked a major departure for the Italian sports car builder, and Ferrari's first "volume" automatic-only car was immediately well received. Helping make the most of the seven-speed and its paddle shifters was a high-revving, 562-hp 4.5-liter V-8 with Ferrari's first application of direct fuel injection in a mid-engined sports car.
The 458 eventually spawned the Challenge, Grand-Am, GT2, and GT3 racing variants, as well as a convertible model for more casual, but still high-performance, driving. The 458 Spider bowed two years after the original in the same Frankfurt show hall. Its retractable aluminum hardtop actually saved weight over the F430's fabric unit.
The 2014 458 Spider offered here is from the second-to-last year of production. It is swathed in Bianco Avus paint over black leather with contrasting yellow stitching that matches the painted brake calipers inside its Michelin Pilot Super Sport-wrapped five-spoke alloy wheels. It shows no modifications and has traveled less than 6,600 original miles.