However, no obvious replacement sprang to mind. A Tuscan is a TVR and therefore out of the question; a Noble M12 isn't open-topped and lacks a limited slip diff; and I've previously explained why I prefer the F355 to the current 360 Modena (looks, size, behaviour over the limit).

I was therefore intrigued to see what my reaction would be when I reclaimed the Spider from Verdi Performance Cars.

It probably helped that it was a beautifully sunny day but I must admit I fell in love all over again. The missing sharpness to the throttle response was back, the engine now felt torquey as well as revvy. Cruising at less than 2000rpm in sixth was easy, with instant grunt available.

The few annoying squeaks and rattles have disappeared from the rear of the car, although arguably they have been partially replaced by the racecar-like squealing from the newly uprated Tar-Ox grooved rear discs that now match the similar items at the front. Coupled with Pagid race pads, the F355's braking ability is Government-condescending-road-safety-ad defying with the pleasing lack of dive that is a feature of well-set-up mid-engined cars, so the noise, which is only apparent at parking speeds, is a small price to pay.

The handbrake light now stays off when it is supposed to, at last, and the gear-change remains the tactile, physical delight it has always been, but without the ear-piercingly shrill screeching that heralded last month's release bearing failure. Oh, and there'll be no more km figures in the table over there to the left because I've had a mile-reading odometer fitted.

I am still amazed by the Ferrari's sublime ride/handling combination. The reactive Bilsteins provide precise, controllable handling, but without any of the tramlining or camber hunting normally associated with wide, low profile tyres and yet they deliver a ride that would shame many 'executive' cars.

Finally, I am still seduced by the bewitching combination of the turbulence-free yet invigorating experience of roof΂-down driving allied to the siren call of the Tubi-Style-enhanced flat-plane V8 ripping past 9K. It is truly one of the greatest Thrills of Driving and I would be a fool to give it up any time soon. After all, it is now the Year of the Horse, so I think it would be inauspicious to sell my prancing one...