Woman Maths: Ferrari 458 Italia

It didn’t take long to realise the life of a receptionist wasn’t for me. Nor was sales, with its expectation that I push all sorts of unnecessary add-ons. Within two years, I’d packed up my small life and moved to London in pursuit of the job I’d dreamed of since that big Tesco moment: to work for Ferrari London as their Social and Digital Media Specialist.

To say I enjoyed the next seven years would be an understatement. I relished every day, fuelled by supportive managers, unrestrained passion and, quite honestly, success. It didn’t hurt that I was waging a quiet war (one I think only I was aware of) with @HROwenLamborghini to surpass their 20,000-follower lead. In the end, I’m proud to say that @HROwenFerrari became the most-followed official Ferrari dealer on the planet.

Over those seven years I drove every model you can think of, hundreds of cars, from Enzos to SF90s and everything in between. I really knew my stuff and spent every moment soaking up knowledge from people like Attilio, who GQ once called The Ferrari Fixer… the man even Bugatti would call for advice. I was a Ferrari sponge. To this day, I can still identify exhaust notes and name 90 per cent of its paint colours.

So I feel confident when I say the 458 is the one. Any variant, although there isn’t much you’re missing with a standard Italia. My favourite to drive, my favourite to listen to, and impossible to photograph badly. It doesn’t have a disappointing angle… I checked, very thoroughly. It drives like an extension of your body. Around corners it’s turning before you even realise you’ve asked it to. It’s also small by today’s standards and sits a little higher than its competition, which means speed bumps and parking aren’t things to dread.

The technicians, the most valuable people in any dealership, told me it was also one of the toughest to break. And then there’s that engine, winner of more awards than any other, ever. For good reason.

The 458 sat on a pedestal I never thought I’d reach, but it was a wonderful daydream. My spec would be Blu TDF with charcoal Alcantara and blue stitching, inspired by a Speciale Aperta that was the most beautiful car I have ever seen.

It’s been four years since I left Ferrari and set up on my own. I love the variety of my life now, but leaving that brand was like leaving my family. On my last day, I drove a 458 from Park Royal to South Kensington and cried the whole way. I never thought I’d get to feel that indescribable Ferrari magic again.

As I write this, I’m sitting in my office, looking out through a sunlit window. A cup of tea is cooling on my desk, and a fluffy dog warming my feet. My throat feels tight, my heart aches, and my eyes are puffy. Ferrari gave me everything. It taught me that passion isn’t embarrassing, and that you can find family in the most unlikely places.

Looking back at me through the window is a Blu Tour de France 458 Italia. The keys, heavy in my pocket.

Forza Ferrari.

Want one yourself? Here’s a Blue tdf over Crema but with the very rare and beautifully clean silver wheel/silver caliper combination. It’s also got the carbon steering wheel and lift that were so essential for sale in my HRO days. The price is a little high for the mileage but perhaps a negotiation point.

Free Reads on The Intercooler are freely available for all to read. The vast majority of our stories, including all of our feature articles, sit behind the paywall, only available to subscribers who get unlimited access to our ever-growing library of more than a thousand stories and close to two million words. 

Click here to start your 30-day free trial and gain full access to The Intercooler’s multi award-winning website and app.