‘In northern Italy Emilia-Romagna is one of the 20 administrative regions of Italy. Its capital is Bologna. Just over 20 miles from Bologna, also within Emilia-Romagna, is the city of Modena.

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‘Modena dates back to the 3rd century BC and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the birthplace of the operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti and celebrity chef Massimo Bottura, the chief patron of Osteria Francescana, listed since 2010 in the Top 5 of The World’s Best Restaurants.

‘But the fact that near the center of Modena is the Parco Enzo Ferrari is a guide to the contemporary essence of the city.

‘Although Enzo Ferrari passed away in 1988, at the fine age of 90, it should come as little surprise that his loyal successors named one of his finest models as the Modena.

‘In addition to the equipment and amenities, this car comes with the owner’s manual, warranty/service booklet with stamps, and receipt copies totaling over $4,800 for service completed in March 2022. This 2005 Ferrari 360 Modena Spider is an outstanding low-mileage Italian sports car that is mechanically sound.

‘This 2005 car is one of the very last 360 Modena Spiders, a two-seater, mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car manufactured by Ferrari from 1999 to 2005. The successor to the Ferrari F355, it was replaced by the Ferrari F430 in 2004.

‘A significant innovation in the Modena Spider was the car’s all-aluminum space-frame chassis, developed in partnership with Alcoa. Ferrari and Alcoa had signed a long-term strategic partnership for the development of advanced technologies for future Ferrari models, as well as those of Fiat.

‘For the F360 Modena, a consequence was that the car was 40 per cent stiffer than its predecessor, the F355, which had employed a steel chassis. Styled – as were so many Ferrari models – by Pininfarina, and despite a 10 per cent increase in overall dimensions, the Modena was 28 per cent lighter. A softer, smoother look shone from this new lightweight frame.

‘The Ferrari 360 Spider had been unveiled at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show. The 360 was always designed with its convertible variant in mind; as removing the roof of a coupe reduced its torsional rigidity, the 360 was built for strength in other areas. Accordingly, Ferrari designers had strengthened the sills, stiffened the front of the floorpan and redesigned the windscreen frame.

‘To cut out engine noise from the cabin, the rear bulkhead was strengthened. Side reinforcements and a front-of-engine cross-brace were installed. Roll bars and a strengthened windscreen frame helped provide passenger safety. A consequence of the all-embracing aluminum build was that the Spider was only 130 pounds heavier than the coupe. But in terms of performance, the 0-60 mph acceleration time was marginally slower due to the slight weight increase, and the top speed was reduced.

‘Yet the final result, the Ferrari 360 Modena Spider, was an utterly beautiful car, one that is a pure reflection of the gorgeous part of the world in which it born: 30 miles from Bologna, 100 from Florence, 130 from Milan and 140 from Venice, Modena is a perfect communications hub between Southern and Northern Italy and the rest of Europe. And there is no finer manner in which to traverse that exceptional terrain than in a Ferrari 360 Modena Spider.

‘Oh, and just one thing: no one can claim to know Modena without having tasted its traditional, and exquisite, Modena balsamic vinegar.

‘Sprinkle a dash or two on your nourishing, delicious salad before setting off on your drive in your equally connoisseur-like choice of car: a Ferrari 360 Modena Spider.

-Alex Manos, Owner