One to Buy: ex-Donald Trump 2007 Ferrari F430
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Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2004, the F430 was Ferrari’s latest entry level model and successor to the critically acclaimed 360.
Like the 360, the F430 utilised an aluminium spaceframe chassis albeit one 20% stiffer than before and with a reinforced front end to comply with the latest crash regulations. Suspension was via lightweight double wishbones with electronically-controlled continually adjustable adaptive dampers all round. Brakes and wheels were also uprated compared to the outgoing model.
At the F430’s heart was a brand new dry-sumped all-alloy Tipo F136 V8 with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a lightweight flat-plane crankshaft. The heads and intake trumpets were carried over from Ferrari’s Formula 1 engines and the variable valve timing system was imported from the Enzo.
With the latest engine management and a much greater capacity than before (4308cc compared to 3586cc), the F430 ushered in some massive output gains: 483bhp at 8500rpm and 343lb-ft at 5250rpm compared to 394bhp at 8500rpm and 275lb-ft at 4750rpm for the outgoing model.
Styling-wise, the F430 was created in the mould of a baby Enzo. Six months after the Berlinetta was launched, Ferrari added a Spider version which broke cover at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005. Like its fixed head cousin, the Spider could be ordered with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox or the expensive F1-style paddle shift arrangement.
Inevitably, as one of the hottest properties in the automotive sector, there were no shortage of celebrity customers that purchased an F430. However, perhaps the most famous of all was Donald Trump whose 2007 Berlinetta will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in Florida on January 17th.
When he acquired chassis 153916 in May 2007, Trump was best known for his real estate empire and as host of the TV show, The Apprentice. The F430 was configured in Rosso Corsa with Beige upholstery plus the optional F1 transmission and delivered through Ferrari of Long Island.
Chassis 153916 comes with the original title and sales invoice from Ferrari of Long Island (both of which list Trump as the first owner) along with a dedication plaque on the dash. At the time of cataloguing, the F430 had covered a little under 9500 miles.
