Since the 1970s and the launch of the 308 GTB, Ferrari has built a proud lineage of mid-engined, naturally aspirated V8 sports cars. Designed first and foremost for the driver, these cars were lightweight, with sharp, precise steering and beautifully balanced chassis dynamics that delivered an ultra-rewarding driving experience. Styled by Pininfarina, they also stirred the senses visually with timeless designs that only grow more iconic with age.

The Ferrari F430 is widely regarded as the high-water mark of this bloodline. It was the final model in the series to feature a naturally aspirated V8, an open-gated manual transmission, and Pininfarina styling, the last of a truly analogue breed before regulatory pressures shifted Ferrari toward turbocharged engines and dual-clutch automatics. While those later models, like the 458 Italia, offered greater performance on paper, many believe they lacked the raw, visceral engagement of their predecessors.

Not all F430s were fitted with the coveted gated manual. By that point, most buyers were leaning toward the F1 automated gearbox, enticed by its faster shift times and Formula One technology. As a result, only around 10% (some estimates go as low as 5%) of F430s were built with a manual, and of those, less than 150 in RHD for the UK market.

Today, as even family EVs boast mind-bending performance figures, there's a renewed hunger among enthusiasts for genuine driver involvement, for cars that don’t just go fast, but feel fast. In that context, the gated manual F430 has emerged as a true modern classic where every shift, every rev, and every note from the flat-plane crank V8 connects you to the car in a way modern machines rarely can. It’s a Ferrari that truly stirs the soul.

Drawing our attention to this specific unicorn, it hits a lot of high notes. It's mileage is low enough to appeal to collectors, but not so low you'd be afraid to drive it, the perfect balance of preservation and usability.

It's been a regular visitor of Ferrari main dealers throughout it's life for servicing, most recently in May 2005 by Maranello's where it visited for an Annual 2 service. In 2023 its 31,250 mile service was carried out, which is a major maintenance milestone. It's current owner is very well known to us, we maintain a number of his other cars for him, and can confidently say he is meticulous about their upkeep, that care is evident here.

Service history:

The bodywork is in exceptional condition, preserved beneath Xpel Ultimate Plus Paint Protection Film (PPF) applied to every panel on the car. The Nero paintwork contrasts exsquisitly with the Crema interior, delivering timeless elegance and understated drama, it suits the F430's Pininfarina lines perfectly.

One final point of note is that the current owner also has a TubiStyle double muffler exhaust kit which is brand new in an unopened box, he never got round to fitting it. This is available at an additional cost.

We welcome any questions you have about this unicorn from the Ferrari stable. Equally, we would be delighted to see you here at Ranmore so you can view and inspect the car. Please do call on +44 (0)1737 844999 to arrange a viewing.

‍

‍