In the grand tradition of mid-engined Ferrari V-8 sports cars, from the 308 to the 355 and beyond, the F430’s introduction marked a watershed moment in Ferrari history; once again, the company bested its already superlative engineering and, at the Geneva Auto Salon of 2005, bested it once more with the introduction of the spider. Not only did the car benefit from the state-of-the-art aerodynamic simulation techniques used on Ferrari’s F1 program, but the engine was new, compact, and lightweight, developing close to 500 horsepower with a 0–60 time of only 4.1 seconds. The electronic differential (E-Diff) was first developed by the Grand Prix team, and the now familiar steering wheel–mounted rotary switch, the manettino as the F1 drivers called it, allowed the car’s setup to be changed quickly and easily. Indeed, this truly was a Ferrari for the 21st century, with the attention to detail and engineering perfectionism the clientele has come to expect.

The F430 Spider offered here has been preserved in virtually perfect condition since it was built and, according to its window card, delivered new to Ferrari of Newport Beach for the 2007 model year. At a time when the F1 transmission was beginning to truly take hold, this car retained the conventional six-speed gearbox, which is highly coveted by collectors today. Also of particular note is the extensive use of alligator upholstery accents on the seats, rollbar, and even the sun visors and steering wheel—a staggeringly expensive option that added $154,798 to the car’s base price of about $200,000 and, as we understand, was particularly difficult for Ferrari to accomplish, given the regulations surrounding its usage.

Aside from the standard equipment that included everything from climate control and a full audio system to xenon headlights and a free-flow exhaust, the car was further outfitted with no less than 13 additional options which, alongside the aforementioned alligator leather, added yet another $52,000 to the car’s price. These items include such desirable features as color-matched brake calipers for the carbon-ceramic rotors, carbon engine kit, extensive use of carbon fiber throughout, electrically operated Daytona-style seats, and the desirable Scuderia Ferrari shields on the fenders. All told, then, the car’s sticker price was an extraordinary $419,534, making it almost certainly one of the most valuable F430 Spiders to ever leave the factory. We understand the original owner accumulated 285 of the total 370 miles that are currently on the car before selling it about two years after acquiring the car. In 2015, a subsequent owner showed the car at the Ferrari Club of America annual meet in Carmel, California.

What was true in the 1950s for Ferrari remains so today. Tremendous desirability is borne from the bespoke design that makes a Ferrari completely and truly custom with unrepeatable rarity. This F430, with its six-speed transmission and stunning alligator upholstery, is a prancing horse the likes of which the astute collector will unlikely see again soon.