1994 Ferrari 456GT

Today the odometer reads 69,973 miles.

On the occasion of its 2007 MoT it had covered 46,052 miles.

So, as you’ve no doubt discerned, this car has been sparingly used in recent years.

Despite its decidedly sedentary existence it hasn’t cut a corner, missed a beat or skipped ahead a few chapters in order to avoid any servicing or maintenance costs.

Quite the opposite.

It comes with a thick wad of history testifying to the diligence and consistency with which it has been maintained and curated.

We have driven the car and can confirm that it goes about its classy, thoroughbred GT business with degrees of alacrity and capability that belie its years and are a testimony to the seemingly excellent condition of the engine and mechanicals.

The vendor, incidentally, is a man with a more than decent amount of experience – he has owned, driven and cared for Ferraris of all shapes, sizes and hues for at least the last 25 years.

With the gearbox and engine warmed up, we really began to enjoy driving the car which, as we say, seems to have lost very little of its pep, poise and performance over the years.

The car gives its pilot heaps of accurate feedback from steering, suspension and braking cues, and you feel satisfyingly connected to the road and your own inputs.

It’s a joy to drive.

But it’s no concours show-pony.

Consequently, it’s not perfect.

The front tyres will need replacing in the not-too-distant future.

The air-con needs re-gassing.

The central locking is somewhat erratic in its behaviour.

Various bits of trim are slowly making a bid for freedom on the interior.

In our opinion, none of these crimes against ‘perfection’, represents anything more than either (i) a simple job to fix or (ii) something to blithely ignore – according to taste, predilection and preference (with the exception of the front tyres, obviously).

The bodywork is pretty much straight and untroubled by any dinks, dents or creases of significance.

The panels, panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent and even throughout.

The wheels are in very decent condition, as is the badging, trim and other exterior fixtures and fittings, although the rubber trim is starting to show its age in one or two places.

The blue paintwork, too, is broadly excellent wherever you happen to rest your appreciative gaze.

The driver’s door has a couple of small paint chips and scuffs in evidence, and there are a few more on top of the sill beneath it.

There are some scuffs around the rear of the o/s/r wheel arch and some light scratches on the n/s/r bumper section and on the roof.

There are also some light scratches and scuffs on the n/s/r wing and on top of the nearside sill.

There are a few paint chips in the usual places – the ‘nose’ of the car, the front valance and the headlamp covers.

The condition of the interior seems to be entirely commensurate with its exterior counterpart – pretty good and in an overall state that, while not perfect, is pretty much in keeping with its age and mileage.

The tan leather upholstery, both front and back, is free of any rips, tears or other significant damage, but it is sporting the odd mark here, a crease or two there, and the occasional scuff elsewhere.

The dashboard trim is a little loose in places and the fascia air vent cluster is advancing its plans to escape from the surrounding dashboard.

The control panel at the base of the passenger seat is expressing a similar desire for spatial liberty.

There are a few scuffs and scrapes on the leather around the transmission tunnel and beneath the driver’s-side dashboard air vent.

There are also some scuffs on the handbrake leather and one or two chips and nicks to the metal around the gear-shift gate.

The headlining is good, as are the door cards, carpets and mats.

The parcel shelf fabric is separating in a couple of areas.

As far as we’re aware, all knobs, levers, buttons, toggles and switches on the dashboard are still doing what they’re supposed to do.

Incidentally, the car has been successfully de-stickied.

Italian supercar aficionados will know all about the dreaded ‘sticky button syndrome’ that afflicts virtually all Modena and Maranello creations of a certain era.

The car has its original tool-kit, which is currently with the vendor, not the car, and is included with the sale. The vendor will post it free of charge to any UK Address.

The boot, which contains various Ferrari manuals, handbooks, wiring diagrams and a spare set of prancing horse centre caps, is in fine fettle.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be clean, dry, right and proper.

The undersides of the car look to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusion.

Ferrari specialist Graeme Hunt, of Kensington, London, wrote the following in a sales listing dated 2018, when the car was sold to the current vendor.

“We previously owned this magnificent 456 and are more than excited to have her back again with us.

Since we sold her in 2014 she has been kept in a collection - with another 456 funnily enough - has only been driven a further 200 miles whilst a full service, to the value of £3,000, has been carried out anyhow.

Previously we had asked our friends at Meridian Modena down in the New Forest, to give a thorough going over (cam belts included) and she runs like a dream.

We have a full analysis of servicing, MoTs and ownership changes since new making this exceptional 456 GT unusual to say the least - obviously, as expected there [sic] the original book pack within the correct leather wallet and full tools set again within the correct leather tool box.

Total mileage is 58,000 and there have been 7 owners (including us).

She is further enhanced being one of our favoured early examples with no air bags, the nice square fascia air vents, extra gauges and simple 3 spoke steering wheel - plus the 6 speed manual gearbox.

We have been advised that only 145 UK supplied 456GT came with this option making her a truly desirable version and one surely to continue to rise in value.

Mechanically similar to the following, and legendary 550, with a V12 5.5 litre quad cam engine producing 442bhp propelling the 456 to speeds of 188mph, 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds whilst still capable of carrying 4 passengers with luggage in supreme comfort too.”

Sounds about right to us.

The car was serviced in the last few weeks by Martin Collier - Ferrari and Lamborghini specialist - and issued with new fluids, filters and cam belts.

It has a comprehensive and detailed life-long history of service and maintenance, all of which was carried out by main dealers or acknowledged specialists.

You may follow this trail of provenance in the documents section.

This rare manual 456 GT is all about the visceral, emotional, unfiltered pleasure of driving a pedigree GT car unsullied by digital dumbing-down and other manifestations of modern mollycoddling.

It’s a pleasure to behold and experience on every level.

We like it a great deal.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £40,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.