Increased competition from Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Mercedes was putting pressure on a market place that had ever increasing choices. When launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005, the Ferrari F430 Spider had to be special.

The F430 Coupe had been released the previous year and was clearly a logical development from the 360M. Cosmetic changes performed by Pininfarina included larger air intakes to the front and sides, a redesigned tail and rear diffuser, and new swept headlights. Frontal design features inspired by the legendary Ferrari 156 Grand Prix car that the late Phil Hill drove to the 1961 Formula One World Championship rekindled fond memories, but this is an evocative, technologically cutting-edge sports car of the highest possible order.

Subtle changes were made using state-of-the-art computer aerodynamic simulation programs used by the F1 team, and these changes helped to make the F430 more fuel efficient and stable whilst also reducing drag and lift. It was, however, the engine that was all new. The compact, lightweight engine that displaces 4.3-liters and develops 483 brake horsepower propelled the car to over 190 miles per hour, with a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 4.1 seconds.

Of course, the F430 Spider incorporated all the important new technical features of Ferrari at that time. 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 set up to be changed easily and quickly.

Fantastic colors of Titanium Gray with a Blue Scuro interior set the stage for this wonderful example of Ferrari F430 Spider F1 that sold new for a sticker price of nearly $275,000. Along with having less than 28,000 original miles displayed on the odometer, a clean CARFAX, all books, tool kit, original keys, literature, and recent service records, this is a well-detailed and generously equipped machine.

The list of factory standards and extras is long and includes a carbon fiber trimmed steering wheel with red driving stripe, carbon fiber driving zone, dash inserts, shift paddles and Challenge grille, power-operated Daytona seats, distinctive yellow tachometer, chrome-plated exhaust tips, Scuderia fender shields, radio with navigation and Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, ball-polished wheels, leather rear shelf with deviating stitching, ventilated power four-wheel disc brakes with yellow Ferrari calipers, air conditioning, leather-wrapped door sills, Bose hi-fi sound with subwoofer, deviated stitching and interior piping; power windows, steering and top.

The response and accolades for Ferrari’s F430 were plentiful, and this model is regarded by many to be the most user-friendly Ferrari ever produced. It has stunning looks and is considered to be the most exotic of the choices available in this class of car.