Ferrari 456M GTA

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The spiritual successor to the legendary Daytona, the 456GT cost over £160,000 at launch in 1993 (Ferrari’s most expensive car at the time) and was widely regarded as ‘the most beautiful car in the world’.

A 2+2 with enough space in the back for a couple of passengers, it was powered by a magnificent quad-cam 5.5-litre V12 producing 436bhp that could crack the quarter-mile in a dragster-like 13.3 seconds on its way to almost 200mph – making it the fastest four-seater car in the world. The 456 name comes from the number of cubic-centimetres per cylinder.

Despite its supercar performance, the 456 has a relatively unstressed engine, which has proven to be a very reliable unit. The chassis is a tubular steel spaceframe construction with a one-piece composite bonnet and body panels of aluminium. The car was available as either a six-speed manual or, as an extra cost option from 1996, as a 4-speed automatic known as the GTA.

The car was face-lifted in 1998 with minor styling tweaks (most obviously removal of the bonnet vents and a sharper nose-cone) made to improve the aerodynamics, the cooling and the interior (seat design and redesigned centre console with a move to three central gauges from five). The engine management system was also tweaked for smoother running and power went up slightly to 442bhp while the top speed was now over 190mph. These cars are known as the 456M for ‘Modificata’. Some 3,289 examples of all types were made before it was replaced by the 612 Scaglietti in 2003.

Dating from September 1999, this beautiful 456M GTA comes to us from a small private collection and is finished in Argento Nurburgring with contrasting deep oxblood leather interior with a Nero dash top and headlining. The car had a documented speedo change by Meridian Modena at 8,101 miles, confirmed by a letter from Meridian on file along with further confirmation in the service book. The odometer currently shows only 26,000 miles (so the car has covered around 34,100 in total).

The GTA was well equipped from new with electric seats, switchable sports suspension, automatic air conditioning/climate control and a premium sound system. Some cars were further specified with an expensive, bespoke luxury leather luggage set designed to fit the boot perfectly. This highly desirable 3-piece set was created for Ferrari by the master craftsmen at Schedoni in soft tan leather with ‘456 GT’ embossed on each piece and is included with this car.

This sleek V12 was supplied new by Lancaster of Colchester and comes with its original book pack and service book with no fewer than 14 stamps, the last including the all-important timing belt service at 20,447 miles by Ferrari specialist MDS Services of Stafford.

The car has been subject to considerable expenditure by its marque enthusiast owners over the last three years including a major £12,000 mechanical overhaul in early 2016 and a full inspection in summer 2016 with bills for over £20,000. The history file also includes 11 old MOTs and a current MOT until September 2019. Our vendor has more recently invested some £13,000+ in further upgrades to the car including a set of specially-build Bilstein rear dampers that corrects the original spec items propensity to failure, along with the installation of parking sensors, a new Ferrari alarm system, de-mist screen, spare tyre and tool kit.

The icing on the cake is the personalised GTA number plate which is included in the sale. If the mere sight of this car doesn’t make you go weak at the knees, you are either clinically dead or you need to get a guide dog. Best of all, you no longer need a lottery win to own it and values have begun to rise in healthy fashion.