The heir to Maranello’s rear mid-mounted V-8 engine crown debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 458 Italia’s performance was as serious as its Frankfurt Messe underpinnings, and yet its dramatic design was nothing short of Italian.

Under a glass panel behind the passenger compartment sat an upgraded version of the F136 V-8 that had debuted in the car’s F430 predecessor. With direct injection now fitted for the first time in a mid-engined car with the prancing horse affixed to its nose, the engine was rated at a compelling 562 horsepower in its initial guise. A rapid-shifting seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission hurtled power to the rear wheels. Remarkably, the 458 was the first mid-engine Ferrari not designed for a manual transmission, a clear step into a new direction for Ferrari. The gearbox was shared with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, though the two automakers worked with Getrag for bespoke tuning.

Magnetic dampers cushioned the ride when needed and firmed up for high-performance, track-day sprints. The brakes brought things to a halt quickly, thanks to an innovative system that moved the pistons into the calipers as soon as the driver lifted off the gas pedal in an effort to pre-charge the system. From 60 mph, the 458 would come to a halt in just 80 feet.

The 458 Italia’s design was, of course, handled by Pininfarina, with oversight provided by Donato Coco. Special winglets incorporated into the front grille split the air more efficiently while providing a remarkably elegant touch.

It took two years for Ferrari to unveil the 458 Spider, again at the Frankfurt salon. The wait was worthwhile the minute the automaker undraped the car under the bright lights. Ferrari and Pininfarina logged many hours in a wind tunnel to hone the car’s shape, and it had a taller rear spoiler and different bumpers than the berlinetta. Special-forged wheels and vents in the front hood were also included.

The 458 Spider offered here was assembled in January 2013 after being special-ordered by the Ming Collection. It was extensively optioned, with the original MSRP approaching $413,000, and is finished in Rosso Corsa over a black leather interior with red Alcantara seat inserts. The car was delivered on 13 March 2013, just two months after the completion of assembly and testing in Maranello, and has been obsessively maintained since. Unlike most cars in the collection, this one was subsequently tailored specifically to the owner’s tastes. Novitec lowering springs were fitted, along with Capistro wheel spacers and titanium lug nuts. An Akraprovic exhaust allows the V-8 to sing the sweetest melodies, while a custom bypass switch in the center console lets one change between soft rock and hardcore tunes. Capistro carbon fiber bits adorn its engine bay, including the glass panel lid itself. An Escort iX Ci radar housed in a custom carbon-fiber enclosure on the dashboard completes its interior. Included are the requisite owner’s manuals in their leather folio, tool kit, and air compressor, along with a rare space-saver spare wheel.