Highlights
- Well presented example with just 22k on the clock
- Extensive service history with 11 stamps in the service book
- Recent major service including cam belt change around 1500 miles ago
- Desirable spec in automatic guise
The Appeal
The Ferrari 456 saw the marque return to a format not explored for some considerable time. Focusing on the mile munching continent cruising share of the market, the 456 was the first front engined GT Ferrari since the 1980s but made quick work of reaffirming Ferrari as a truly excellent maker of grand tourers. With a spacious four seater cabin and a glorious V12 good for a top speed well into the 180s the 456 was met with great praise from the motoring press and to this day is seen as one of the best sensible and usable Ferrari’s you can buy.
This excellent 1997 model is a later 456 GTA, mated to a more refined automatic transmission to further play into that grand touring bracket. It displays exquisitely, with just over 22 thousand miles displayed on the clock. Backed by a comprehensive service history including a recent major service around 1500 miles ago, this 90s prancing horse introduces an excellent way into the world of Ferrari ownership.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 01/11/1997
- Originally sold into Hong Kong before being brought into the UK circa 2018
- Throughout its time in Hong Kong the car was regularly maintained by official Ferrari Dealer Auto Italia LTD
- Accompanied by leather bound Ferrari book pack
- The Ferrari service book proudly bares 11 stamps from authorised Ferrari dealers and independent specialists which corroborate the low mileage at just over 22 thousand
- 2 major services have been completed since its arrival in the UK
- Stamp and invoice for recent major service at 20,547 miles highlighting an all important cam belt change
- Advisory free MOT valid until March 2024
- MOT records further highlight the minimal mileage amassed by the car since its arrival into the UK
- 2 sets of keys
- Comes with a comprehensive set of adjoining invoices for servicing work and parts bought to maintain the car
- V5 registration document present with the vehicle
The Interior
- High quality Bordeaux hide throughout
- Exceptionally clean, in highly original form
- Factory Ferrari radio system
- Electric windows and front seating
A rich Bordeaux hide drapes its way across nearly every sculpted surface within the cabin here. With quality, style and craftsmanship like this, it really could only be a Ferrari. Having amassed very minimal mileage and been exceptionally well cared for throughout its lifetime the cabin presents brilliantly, distinctly lacking in wear fading or blemishing giving very little impression that the interior has ever seen a human being.
Front and rear, deep leather seats cradle the driver and up to three additional passengers in pure unadulterated comfort. Of course one major selling point of these cars comes from that extra passenger capacity, being able to hold four full size adults without a compromise on performance or that sporting Ferrari nature. We can find very little evidence of usage or wear from the seating, instead presenting in a like new state.
The sides of the cabin highlight to great quality matching Bordeaux door panels with black leather tops to tie into the dash panel. Boasting high quality door furniture and trim, these are in great shape with the only point to note being some minor markings around an air vent on the driver’s side door panel. The aforementioned dash panel is in similarly excellent shape, in a two tone red and black leather guise we find it to be notably free from fading and sun damage, yet another sign of the quality to which this car has been upheld.
The centre control panel presents very smartly, housing the iconic metal finish gear knob, factory Ferrari radio system and climate controls. We are informed by the vendor that the features in here work as they should, including the air conditioning which was subject to a re gas during its last major service.
Plush red carpeting finds its way not only across the cabin floor but into the impressively sized boot area which is in great shape and appears more than capable of taking a good amount of luggage for trips away.
The Exterior
- Excellent Grigio Titanio paint work
- Brilliantly well presented from an aesthetic perspective
- Upgraded Ferrari 550 wheels
Gorgeous Pininfarina exterior design that still looks fresh today, the Ferrari 456 is certainly a smart looking car from an aesthetic perspective. Excellently well proportioned and complemented perfectly by Grigio Titanio metallic paint work this particular 456 is definitely a high ranker in the looks department.
Having amassed limited mileage throughout its time on the road, R648 NDS is in incredibly clean form. The aforementioned Grigio Titanio metallic paint is of a great standard with something of a mile deep quality to it. Very little if anything can be noted in the way of wear or blemishing to the exterior, largely thanks to Ferrari’s use of an aluminium body shell, reducing corrosion risks to an absolute minimum. The vendor advises this high quality finish should be long lasting courtesy of a 5 year ceramic coating recently applied to the car.
Exterior trim is of a similarly high quality as is the badging and glass work found around the car, although it should be noted that the lower section of the rear windscreen presents with some delamination which we understand to be a common issue on the 456. At the front end we find a great set of marvellous pop up headlights, arguably a welcome addition to any car, these are in good order although the vendor notes the driver’s side light doesn’t always fully lift and may need greasing or adjusting.
At ground level we find something of an upgrade from the standard 456 wheels. This particular example has been fitted with 5 spoke alloy wheels from a Ferrari 550, giving it a far more aggressive stance. All four of the wheels are in great clean shape.
The Mechanics
- Recent major service including cam belt change
- Air conditioning re gas
- Factory automatic, more desirable for touring
- Well maintained by Ferrari specialists
With grand touring the primary focus of the 456, only one engine would do. A sumptuous 5.5 litre V12 engine was nestled at the front of the car to make it into a real Milan to Monaco mile muncher. Refined, solid and endlessly powerful this 12 cylinder powerhouse really is a perfect touring engine.
Having been subject to a solid maintenance regime both in Hong Kong and in the UK this 456 presents in great mechanical order. Having had two major services since its arrival in the UK including a cam belt change fluid change and air condition re gas around 1500 miles ago giving the next owner mechanical peace of mind and confidence to really use this car, further emphasised by the advisory free MOT stretching into March 2024.
The vendor reports of an excellent driving experience from the Ferrari, with good quality steering and brakes courtesy of recent discs and pads along with an impeccable 12 cylinder soundtrack.
Summary
A proper grand tourer, with the prancing horse credentials to back it up, that is what the 456 GTA is. Well styled, lavishly appointed with a wonderful front mounted V12, the 456 left behind a powerful legacy and is a sure fire modern classic fit for regular use. So often referred to as the sensible man’s Ferrari, this well maintained low mileage example is ready for a new loving home and presents as a wonderful way into the world of Ferrari ownership.
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