1999 Ferrari 456M GTA

This delightful 456 is painted in NART Blue (a brightier, zingier hue than the more traditional Tour de France Blue), with Cream Sabbia Hide and a high specification interior that includes the desirable Daytona-style seats and the bespoke leather luggage set.

This car is presented in extremely sharp exterior and interior forms – there are no compromises in condition.

The vendor purchased this car from renowned model specialist Rardley Motors of Surrey, and is now selling as he re-jigs his own classic and modern classic collection.

The V5 document shows that it’s had a total of seven owners from new and each has ensured that it’s been kept in absolute tip top condition; as such it comes with a fantastically full Ferrari service history, showing a multitude of service stamps and three cambelt changes.

The odometer currently reads 14,160 miles although there was a documented odometer change at 39,000 miles. There are two sets of keys and an MOT certificate that runs until 21 June 2021. Unsurprisingly, this lovely 456 passed with no advisories.

At sale the private number plate B19 NDO will accompany the car, which is a nice bonus for the next owner.

Ah, the power and the glory; the 456 combines an intimidating presence with an elegant beauty. It manages to look discreet, yet remains menacing at the same time – perhaps that’s the perfect combination for a V12 GT? We think so.

The body has a lovely integrity, with reassuringly even panel gaps and a lovely sheen to the NART Blue paintwork. Its metallic finish is one that’ll certainly have you gazing at it for hour after hour.

It’s not perfect, as the car has been driven (our vendor completing 6000 miles during his four years of ownership), so there’s the odd minor mark here and there.

The nose has smattering of tiny stone chips, so may benefit from a bit of remedial paintwork and the rear valance has a chip or two along the bottom edge. Importantly the expensive bonnet remains free of cracks and has a much better paint quality on it than our previous 456 auction listing, in this case completely consistent with the rest of the car.

The five spoke alloy wheels are in very good condition although the offside rear is missing its Prancing Horse centre cap, which has been replaced by a plain black cap. Tyre treads remains very healthy, all round.

The interior of this car is a visual treat, as the Cream Sabbia Hide provides a stunning contrast to the exterior; not only that, it’s wonderfully colour coded throughout.

The leather dashboard top, door card panels and centre column inserts are all presented in contrasting blue lending it a real visual pizzazz. The carpets are also blue and are in as new condition (because they are), while those Daytona style seats (Cream piped blue) are lovely and without doubt the stars of the show.

The leather on 456 dashboard tops can be prone to shrinkage, but there’s no such issue here. The black coating on the switches and handles of Ferraris of this era can degrade, and as such you’ll see that the door pulls are a touch chipped.

The all-important window regulator works, so they drop half an inch on opening of the doors – that’s important as replacements are expensive and are currently hewn from un-obtanium! The central locking, mirrors, A/C and other electrical items have tested positive too. 

Pop the boot and you’ll find a lovely tan leather luggage set and a full tool and spares set. The inner boot rubber is a touch chewed on the offside (likely something has caught on it) and would eventually benefit from replacement.

Popping that large clamshell bonnet reveals a nice and tidy engine bay, with no discernible evidence of any leaks. As stated earlier, it’s had regular cambelt changes to ensure the big V12 remains in thoroughly rude health.

During his ownership the vendor has carried out the necessary maintenance works elsewhere (notably the leaking rear shock absorbers were sent away for repair and to be re-gassed) to make sure the rest of the mechanical package is up to the same standard.

The underside has a smattering of dust and dirt, but all undertrays remain in situ and it looks to be in good condition.

Our chap has used the car mainly “for pottering about really” and my what a car to potter in; that of course is a high compliment to the design of the 456, for it’s a car that lends itself in equal measure to both fierce high-speed work or pootling about.

“It’s an excellent example,” says the vendor. “I’ve kept it to very good standard, carrying out and the bits and pieces it’s needed (one headlight wasn’t working, and wipers needed replacing recently) and servicing it regularly. It’s beautiful to drive, with very positive steering.”

It’s been here at our The Market’s Abingdon headquarters for a short while and we can confirm that it’s a very good ‘un; that beastly V12 seems to pull forever and with contemptuous ease, the auto box shifts seamlessly, brakes are sharp and the suspension elicits unwieldy no clonks or shonks.

In the history file, as well as the V5 document and current MOT certificate, you’ll find all of the original owner’s hand and service books – and all nicely ensconced in the tan leather folder.

Almost every previous MOT certificate is also included, as well as a number of invoices for maintenance carried out during its lifetime. The invoice for our vendor’s purchase of the car is included (we won’t do anything as crass as mentioning the price, but it is in there!), as well as the work carried out by Rardley Motors immediately prior to his 2016 purchase (£3,959.24 including new tyres, a cambelt change and fitment of a fresh suspension actuator).

You’ll also see further invoices for works that our vendor has subsequently carried out; these include those on the rear shock absorbers (£968.14, November 2018), some general mechanical and bodywork TLC (April 2019, £647.23), a brake and cooling system check (£177.07, July 2019) and fitting of fresh floor carpets (£486.00, February 2020). Just recently (October 2020) a new radiator has been fitted along with an A/C regas and other smaller items - fit as a fiddle.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very high standard.

We are big fans of this epic grand touring model. They’re so easy to drive, yet so capable. If we weren’t so busy selling cars then we’d immediately be setting this very nice example’s sat nav for a major European city, and the further the better.

It’s presented in a highly desirable colour and interior combination, and with an exemplary service history. Everything functions, it drives very smartly and the owner has both maintained it very well and driven the 456 regularly, which is of the utmost importance for a supercar. Very few examples of 1990s Ferraris can claim to be this sharp and complete.

As such our estimate for this example is  £41,000 to £46,000. For that, the next owner will be getting one very nice example of Maranello’s GT tour de force.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters; 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’.