1999 Ferrari 456M GTA

During its time, the Ferrari 456 was the fastest production four seater in the world. Powered by what was essentially a detuned version of the engine powering the 550 and 575, the new 5.5-litre V12 unleashed no less than 442 bhp and, except for the F40, the 456 was the most powerful road car developed by Ferrari up to that point.

Pininfarina worked its magic on the 456 to create a subtly beautiful curvaceous body contrasting with the hard edges of its predecessor. Aerodynamically efficient, the 456 remained stable up to its maximum speed of around 190 mph. Acclaimed on its debut, the 456's styling has not dated and is a tribute to Pininfarina's vision in creating one of most beautiful vehicle designs of modern times. The 'Modificata' 456 M appeared in 1998, starting with chassis number 109589 and it incorporated a number of changes including improvements to the aerodynamics and cooling, and the interior, still featuring Connolly Leather, was freshened up with new seats and other detailing.

This right hand drive 456M in Grigio, arguably one of the best colours for any four-seat Ferrari, was delivered new by Ferrari Glenvarigill in Edinburgh on the 3rd of March 1999. The car displays a good "driver's mileage' of 44,981, indicating that it has been regularly used, and comes with the original handbook pack containing all the relevant books and original service manual, and an unused tool kit. The interior displays the beauty of Italian craftsmanship prior to the buttons and gadgets seen in later Ferraris of the "Playstation" generation. The competent automatic gearbox is smooth and is ideally suited to carefree grand touring.

With just three owners from new, one for ten years, the car has been appropriately serviced, with a recent cambelt change a mere thousand miles ago, as shown below:

PDI - Ferrari Glenvarigill Company LTD - 1999Service - Ferrari Glenvarigill Company LTD - 1,963 Miles - 2000Service - Graypaul Ferraro Loughborough - 11,333 Miles - 2002Service - Graypaul Ferrari Nottingham - 32,048 Miles - 2007Service - Graypaul Ferrari Nottingham 38,857 Miles - 2008Service and Belts - Graypaul Ferrari Nottingham 39,100 Miles - 2009Service - Graypaul Ferrari Nottingham 40,447 Miles - 2010Service - Station Garage Ferrari Specialist - 41,679 Miles - 2011Service and Belts - Station Garage Ferrari Specialist - 43,492 Miles - 2012Service - Station Garage Ferrari Specialist - 44,720 Miles - 2014Service - Station Garage Ferrari Specialist - 44,942 Miles - 2015

The car is offered with a brand new MOT passed without advisories, and a new set of OE Fitment Bridgestone tyres. Somewhat inexplicably, in financial terms, four seat Ferraris have never been shown the respect they deserve in the wider collector market, but things have changed recently. With prices moving upwards, an opportunity to buy one of the best examples of a nineties GT with all the DNA of Ferraris famous "Grand Tourers" of the sixties and seventies, will be rare in the future at this guide price.