Three Ferraris from a Parisian Enthusiast

French title

Chassis No. ZFFWP44B000132316 Engine No. 75199

- 25,700 km from new

- Desirable colour combination: Grigio Titanio with red interior

- Sold new by Ferrari at Salerno, Italy

- Documented history, stamped-up service book

- 6-speed manual gearbox - 5.5-litre V12 - 442bhp

 

2004 Ferrari 456 M GT

 

The Ferrari 456 belongs to one of the oldest and most prestigious traditions in Maranello, that of the great GTs with a front-mounted V12 engine and room for four passengers. From the 250 GTE and 330 GT to the 365 GT 2+2 and then the 365 GT4 2+2, 400 and 412, Ferrari has always known how to combine the performance of its twelve-cylinder engines with the comfort and elegance of cars designed to cover long distances at very high speeds.

When it was presented in 1992, the 456 GT brought this tradition into a new era. Its design by Pininfarina broke with the angular styling of the 412 in favour of a particularly fluid and well-balanced shape. Its long bonnet, sloping roofline, four round tail lamps and pop-up headlamps combined to create a remarkably understated shape, which is today regarded as one of Ferrari’s definitive GTs of the 1990s. In 1998, Ferrari thoroughly updated the model and introduced the 456 M (for ‘Modificata’). The new model featured many improvements, to its aerodynamics, cooling, suspension, ergonomics and interior finish. The front of the car was also restyled and various detailed changes made, to improve a car which had now reached maturity. Produced until 2004, the 456 M thus represents the ultimate and most refined evolution of the 456 line.

 

The example presented here takes this logic even further, as it is a 456 M GT from 2004, the last year of production for the model, and is equipped with the highly desirable six-speed manual gearbox. It therefore combines the ultimate technical evolution of the 456 and the transmission that lets the driver most directly experience the character of its V12.

Under its long bonnet sits a naturally-aspirated 5474cc V12 developing 442bhp at 6250rpm and nearly 550Nm of torque. Mated to the six-speed manual gearbox, this engine enables the big 2+2 coupé from Maranello to reach almost 300km/h, a particularly remarkable figure for a car with room for four and the handling of a true GT. The superb example presented here was sold new on 27 February 2004 by Cesare Meccanica Service, the Ferrari dealer in Salerno, to an Italian company. In December 2005, it was bought from the company by Signora Cortelli and she naturally continued to have it serviced by the same Ferrari dealership in Salerno. In 2015, the garage bought it back to sell it to its third owner. The car later came to France, where it continued to be maintained. The work carried out over the years can be seen in its regularly stamped service book, which also helps document the steady progression of its mileage. In 2023, the Ferrari was the subject of a particularly comprehensive expert appraisal, the report from which has been added to its history file and is available on request. With 25,700km from new, this 456 M GT is in impressive condition, with flawless red leather upholstery. This is an example that is not only rare in this condition and with this mileage, but is also in one of the most elegant colours, Grigio Titanio, for this ultimate version of the 456.

Photos © Nino Hamet