I can thank my mother for my exposure to the Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge series.  She bought my dad, my brother, and me tickets to the 2002 Canadian Grand Prix.  At some point during the weekend, I remember watching a Modena Challenge car get a bit waspy on the rain-soaked Casino Straight as we stood along the fence.  I had never seen something resembling a street car move at such a startling clip, and was no less enamored with the Challenge cars than I was with the Formula One cars.

The 360 Challenge Stradale road car isn't quite a road-going version of the Challenge series car, but Car & Driver did still find the car to be an extremely loud and stiff car for street use.  A 11.2:1 vs 11.0:1 compression ratio, along with a host of very involved engineering modifications typically glossed over in the auto magazines, net a power output of 425hp at 8,500 RPM.  The power increase over the standard Modena, along with a 149lb reduction in vehicle weight, resulted in a 0.6 second reduction in 0-60 time for the Challenge Stradale.

Year: 2004
Model: Ferrari
Engine: 3.6L V8
Transmission: 6-speed automated manual
Mileage:  2,140 mi
Price: $309,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

S/N ZFFDU57A540134981
- Only 2.140 miles,
- Rosso Corsa with nero leather,
- 3.6 litre V8 normally aspirated engine,
- 1 of 360 for North America Market.

This factory lightweight 360 Challenge Stradale was built with carbon/ceramic brakes, handling package, decontented interior, factory racing seats, leather upholstery, racing stripe, radio delete, red brake calipers, all owner’s manuals, spare keys, tools and jack.
Delivered new October 27, 2003 via Ferrari of Scottsdale.
2 Major service complete, 2015 and 2017 all documented.

We won't venture to comment on the price other than to mention that the modest mileage on this car stands out as a major factor.  We have seen these change hands for substantially less when miles are in 10,000-20,000 mile range.

An anomaly with this car is its collectability in spite of its F1 gearbox.  Ferraris of this era generally benefit from the uncommon optioning of a traditional manual transmission, and while rare Ferraris are always more collectible than the models with larger production runs, this car certainly challenges the trend of manual Ferraris demanding more money.  Were it our money, we'd find the cheapest Challenge with decent mechanicals and thrash it on the track, though we suspect that a gentler future awaits this example.  That's cool; we wanted a yellow one anyway.

-Graham