c. 15,000 miles from new
2006 Ferrari F430 Coupé

• Rare manual gearbox
• Carbon interior pack
• Present ownership since 2017
• Full history available

Introduced in 2004 at the Paris Motor Show, the F430 was the latest in the line of V8-engined Ferrari road cars that had begun back in 1973 with the 308 GT4. The F430 was a development of the preceding 360, sharing the latter's aluminium chassis, roofline, doors and window glass, though the body itself had been extensively revised. Styled, as usual, by Pininfarina, the F430 body generated greater downforce without the penalty of increased aerodynamic drag. In styling the F430, Pininfarina referenced some of Ferrari's other great cars, using the Enzo's tail lights and a Testarossa-style driver's-side mirror, while the twin front air intakes recalled the Tipo 156 Formula 1 car of 1961. The open Spider version featured an electrically operated retractable roof, while the fully leather-trimmed interior - a visual feast - could be ordered with either aluminium or carbon fibre embellishment to customer choice.

Beneath the F430's transparent engine cover there was an entirely new 32-valve V8 power unit displacing 4.3 litres. More compact than its predecessor, this new engine developed a maximum of 483bhp, with 80% of the 343lb/ft of torque available below 3,500 revs, quite an achievement for a normally aspirated engine. A traditional manual transmission was still available but most buyers opted for the F1-style paddle shift version. One of the F430's more significant developments was the 'E-Diff', a computer-controlled limited-slip differential. As Autocar explained: "with this much power it's quite possible to come to a turn too fast, but in sports mode the diff and its electronics maintain traction, minimise understeer, and assist in the creation of that fast-flowing fluency that keen drivers dream of." And the F430 was certainly fast, with a top speed in excess of 315km/h (196mph) and a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of around 4.0 seconds. Helping keep this outstanding performance under control were Brembo brakes and their associated Bosch electronics package. Carbon ceramic discs were an option.

Finished in Rosso with Crema leather interior, this F430 is rare in having the optional manual gearbox, fitted by the factory to special order. Other notable features include inset shields, carbon interior pack, and a yellow rev counter. Purchased by the current owner in July 2017, and described by him as original and in 'A'-rated condition throughout, the car comes with a V5C document, current MoT, and full history.