Likely nobody needs reminding of the current trend for bringing back the manual gearbox. Aston Martin sold out its million-pound, six-speed Valour in hours, the Handschalter Z4 is the best BMW roadster in yonks, the S/T is perhaps the greatest Porsche 911 in just as long. Pagani clients want manuals, so that’s exactly what they’re getting. Everybody wins: a few dedicated customers get the manual cars they crave, while the manufacturers can charge a premium on the grounds of engagement and interaction. It seems likely to continue for a while yet.
Will Ferrari resurrect the manual gearbox? It seems extremely unlikely. The cars are now so fast, so capable, so technologically advanced that a manual wouldn’t necessarily play to its strengths. Maranello was a relatively early adopter of the dual-clutch-only lineup, and its gearboxes have always been a class apart. Plus with a new factory gearing up for further electrification, it’s clearly looking to future tech rather than old methods - even with current trends among the rich.
Nevertheless, there really is little as evocative as an open-gated Ferrari manual, which is why the old ones continue to command a premium. Back when the (not very good) automated transmissions were the new, exciting tech, only around 10 per cent of customers took the manual. Now they’re the cars to have, as the clunky old ‘boxes haven’t aged well and the standard six-speed remains a great reminder of the old days.
The F430 was the last mid-engined V8 with a choice of transmissions. As with the rest of the range back then, F1s massively outnumber manuals; on PH right now there are 50 examples for sale and just five with a clutch pedal, tallying perfectly with those sales figures from the early 21st century. It’s easy to understand why a manual car might appeal nowadays, with the right amount of power (nearly 500hp) to be properly exciting without being too much for DIY gears. Where an F1-equipped F430 Coupe can be bought from £65k, you’ll need £80k for a manual car. And that’ll be a Spider with twice the miles.
So the premium is undeniable - and justified by all accounts. But there are manual Ferrari F430s out there, then there are manual Ferrari F430s. Because here’s a 2006 car, in Rosso Corsa over Crema, with just 598 miles on it. This isn’t some crustry barn find, either, one abandoned after the first month of driving; there are 17 stamps in the service book, and old MOT records as well. This has been used, albeit very sparingly, and kept in good order. Look at the fuel cap! Averaging 33 miles a year, it may never have been into sixth gear…
For Ferrari enthusiasts, manual fans and classic car collectors, it looks like one heck of an opportunity. And would explain the POA - it’s probably up around Scuderia money. These end-of-an-era 430s are hard enough to find in any state, let alone as close to brand new as it’s now possible to get. Probably it’ll head somewhere air-conditioned and humidity controlled, brought out for the occasional concours. But let’s hope it does get a run out every now and again, because there really is no experience to rival a nat-asp Ferrari V8 paired to a manual gearbox. Get that left leg warmed up immediately.
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