2007 Ferrari F430 F1 Spider

Highlights

• Wonderful 4.3-litre V8
• Just 27,523 miles (verified)
• Excellent service record, MOT to May 2025
• Only two former owners
• Classic Nero Daytona over Crema

Overview

If you want to stop a petrolhead dead in their tracks, few things are as effective as the sound of a Ferrari V8 at full chat. You just have to stop and listen as that wailing crescendo builds to a banshee howl, dissipating in a miasma of doppler-effect baritone as it flashes past. That’s quite a lot of fancy words to simply say they sound incredible.

The F430 benefits from a very special V8 – Ferrari’s first completely new, ground-up road car V8 power unit since the 1950s, in fact. And it’s an absolute peach of an engine, delivering a blistering 483bhp and 343 lb-ft from its naturally aspirated 4.3 litres. That’s the kind of power that makes things ‘all the way over there’ rapidly become things that are ‘a long way back there’. A relatively low kerb-weight, mid-engine layout and motorsport derived suspension and aero technology means it handles as well as it goes too, offering that true “Ferrari feel”. In fact, the F430 offers a whopping 50% increase in downforce over the 360 Modena.

Of course, it’s not all about raw power and handling finesse. With the roof down, the F430 Spider allows you to fully revel in the aural assault of that V8, while also basking in the full glow of the summer sun and looking absolutely fabulous. It’s a handsomely styled thing. Sleek and clean in its lines, it’s one of the few cars that looks just as comfortable attacking the Glossgockner as it would be burbling past the casino at Monaco.

This example, finished in the classic combination of Nero Daytona over Crema, comes with a great service record and just 27,523 miles on the clock. For anyone seeking an enticing, subtle supercar that can whisk them to St Moritz in comfort, stay under the radar (as much as a Ferrari can) and still be an absolute riot on twisty mountain passes, we think this has to be near the top of the list.

History and documentation

• First registered in the UK on 29th March 2007
• Two former keepers, current keeper since 1st September 2009
• Purchased by the vendor from JCT600 in Leeds, apparently previously owned by Jimi Mistry (British actor famous for his role in Coronation Street)
• Just 27,523 miles on the clock, verified by the MOT and service records
• A total of 8 service invoices, all from Ferrari specialists, with the last service carried out at 26,662 miles in October 2022
• Complete document pack with original leather wallet and service book
• Collection of invoices detailing the service record and maintenance
• Current MOT expires 4th May 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear (checked August 2024)
• Please note, the private registration is not included in the sale and will be removed beforehand
• Included in the sale is a red F430 car cover, steering wheel cover and seat covers, as well as a battery conditioner and an aftermarket heated seat cover (never actually used)

Interior

• Crema leather upholstery with black contrast stitching is all in very good order, with no burst seams, tears or notable wear apparent
• Electrically adjustable Daytona seats, both presenting in good condition with no tears or significant wear, just a little of the usual creasing to the driver’s seat squab and outer bolster
• Carbon trim to the dash and centre console
• Electrically operated windows and side mirrors
• Original factory-fitted Becker radio/CD system with satellite navigation
• A hard-wired dash camera has been added, as well as a TomTom satellite navigation system and rear view camera – ideal for making parking that bit easier
• Air conditioning
• Secret storage box for valuables
• Front and rear parking sensors
• The internal trim all looks to be in fine fettle, with nothing missing or broken
• There is some age-related wear apparent on some of the switchgear and some light scratches are visible on the plastic trim elements
• We’re assured by the vendor that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no faults or issues reported

Exterior

• Nero Daytona (black metallic) paintwork suits the F430 well and nicely complements the car’s sweeping, clean lines
• The paintwork looks to be in good condition, with just a few minor swirls and blemishes, but nothing that would concern us
• We only noted one small area of paint cracking /blistering, just above the front number plate, but it looks as if it should be a relatively simple thing to correct
• All of the bodywork looks clean and straight, with consistent panel gaps and no dents, damage or corrosion we could discern
• The external trim and badging is all present and correct and showing well too, with nothing warped or damaged that we could see
• Similarly, the light lenses and glass elements look nice and clear, and seem to be free from notable chips or cracks
• At the back, that transparent vented Lexan engine cover gives a glorious view of the V8’s twin banks, red plenums proudly on show
• The electrically operated black fabric roof looks to be in nice condition – we saw no evidence of sagging, tears or UV damage
• Underneath, the flat floor pans wear a few light scratches consistent with their age, but overall look very clean and straight, with no damage or cracking
• We didn’t see any corrosion or damage worthy of note to the sills, inner wheel arches or visible suspension components
• The car is riding on the correct factory-fitted 19-inch alloy wheels, which present in reasonably good order, showing one area of kerb damage to the offside rear wheel and some more significant kerbing to the nearside front wheel
• A full set of Pirelli tyres adorn the wheels and appear to be in good condition with decent tread levels

Mechanical

• 4,308cc, naturally aspirated V8
• Mid-mounted engine, driving the rear wheels
• ‘F1’ semi-automatic 6-speed transmission with paddle-shifters
• ‘Manettino’ control offering multiple driving modes
• Factory performance figures: 483bhp 343 lb-ft, 193mph+ and 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds
• ‘E-Diff’ electronic differential to maximise grip in all conditions
• Launch control
• Low mileage, good MOT record and comprehensive service record should give confidence
• Clutch and flywheel were replaced at 13,275 miles in June 2011
• The 'auxiliary belt' was replaced at 18,693 miles in Oct 2014
• Due for its annual service in September, last recorded service in October 2022 at 26,662 miles
• We’re told the car starts ‘on the button’, sounds fantastic, idles cleanly and drives just as it should with no issues or problems to report

Summary

Surely it’s the aim of every petrolhead to put a prancing horse in the garage at some point. And the F430 Spider is a fantastic way to do that, offering one of the finest naturally aspirated V8s ever made, styling that has aged very well indeed, excellent driving dynamics and more than enough power. Oh yes, and the roof drops, so you have a thousand miles of sunny skies to enjoy as that glorious engine note melts your ear drums.

Presented in a desirable colour scheme, with low mileage and a great history, we think that this lovely machine could well be the perfect way to step into Ferrari ownership. Alternatively, if you just want a charismatic and stylish way to blast across Europe’s twisty roads, we can’t think of many better options. Make sure you don’t let this handsome droptop pass you by.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.