2005 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

• A very rare and sought after, UK-supplied, right-hand drive Challenge Stradale
• Finished in Rosso Corsa with a Red and Grey Alcantara interior and showing 46,442 miles
• Fitted with a 3.6-litre V8 coupled to a 6-speed gearbox. 426bhp at 8500rpm and 190mph
• More responsive throttle software, enhanced steering feedback, and 95kg lighter
• Very good history file, Ferrari tool kit and books. Belts last replaced at 42,334 miles

Commencing with the 348, Ferrari had started the first factory-backed, one-make race series for amateur and semi-professional racing drivers back in 1993, and the immensely successful Ferrari Challenge increased in popularity with the subsequent introduction of the F355 and 360 Modena. The latter first appeared on the grid in Challenge form in 2000, featuring a multitude of alterations making it eminently suitable for track use. Three years later, at the Geneva International Motor Show, Ferrari introduced the 360 Challenge Stradale, which in essence was a lightened version of the 360 Modena incorporating some of the racer's suspension and braking improvements. This was designed by Ferrari engineers with a 20% circuit use and 80% road use in mind. It was fitted with a 3.6-litre V8 engine generating 426bhp at 8500rpm which, when coupled to the 6-speed gearbox, resulted in a top speed of 190mph.

Other improvements included more responsive throttle software, enhanced steering feedback, and a reduction in weight by as much as 95kg. The Challenge Stradale also got Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, shaving 16kg off the curb weight, improving handling and eliminating brake fade. However, the Challenge Stradale is no mere racer-for-the-road and remains sufficiently civilised for comfortable road use.

According to the accompanying service book, this particular Challenge Stradale is a rare and desirable UK-supplied, right-hand drive car that was supplied to its first owner on the 1st March 2005 through Stratstone Manchester. Finished in Rosso Corsa with a red and grey Alcantara interior, this example has been used as intended and is showing 46,442 miles. Our private vendor has owned this special car since 2014 and is the fifth owner.

The service history is a mix of main dealer and specialist, with the last service stamped in the book carried out in 2016 at 42,334 (4,000 miles since), which was when the belts were last done as well. There is also an invoice on file for work carried out by the vendor in 2017 at Autofficina, where ú3,500 was spent on ensuring that the car was running to our vendor's exacting standards. The CS is also accompanied by all its original books, manuals etc and the Ferrari tool kit.

This Stradale presents as you would expect for the mileage covered and it's certainly very pleasing seeing a driving-focused car like this having been used as it was intended, it's all the better for it in our opinion! UK-supplied cars are hard to find, probably because Challenge Stradales are rarer than an F40, so this car certainly looks like a tempting proposition at this competitive estimate.