Thursday 1st March 2012

You Know You Want To: £17K Ferrari 456

Manual 456 opens up all manner of 'bargain Ferrari' temptation for our man Harris

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What car currently for sale in the classifieds currently has the greatest potential for financial pain?

This Ferrari 456 has to be up there.

Is that why I'm so magnetically drawn to the bloody thing?

There's no manual F12berlinetta - this instead?

I have always wanted a 456 - still do in fact - but one thing put me off. When I was looking to run a four-seat Ferrari a few years back a mechanic I trusted told me to steer-clear. He didn't roll his eyes and recite the Revelation according to John, but he did suggest that anyone coming from a 911 might get a little frustrated by a 456. Even a later Modificato with many of the issues sorted. I ended up having an early 612 and loved it.

But this is altogether more interesting. When Ferraris drop to these sort of prices they awaken in us the inner masochist. How much win is there in a £17K 456?

First, it's the infinitely preferable manual. It's in Verde Zeltweg, which is plain cool and it is currently running a set of Primewell PZ-900s. Don't remember them being an OE fitment, but I'll check.

Concentrate on the good stuff, like the V12

There's far more knowledge on PH and in the Ferrari forums about these cars than in my head, but this is my gut reaction to the £17K 456.

Make it roadworthy, get away with the lightest service possible, attempt to get some non-adjustable dampers for it, use the passenger door for entry and then just smoke the bugger for all it's worth. Leave the scrapes and dents. They're war-wounds. The window drops will fail, the pop-up lights will work sporadically and it'll do 13mpg.

But it is arguably the finest -looking four-seat Ferrari of all time. And the engine is a masterpiece: strong and exciting.

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Ferrari 456
Price: £17,250
Why you should: It deserves a proper send-off
Why you shouldn't: You don't really need us to say it...

Whetted your appetite for Prancing Horses? Then have a look at the Ferraris available in the PH classifieds... you know you want to...

 

[E30M3SE]

It's probably hiding a whole heap of bork not listed in the ad................

Brave pills at the ready?

[MG511]

E30M3SE said:

It's probably hiding a whole heap of bork not listed in the ad................

Brave pills at the ready?

I think you may need the brave IV drip rather than just the pills with this one. Is it not worth more than £17k in parts, engine and 'box must be worth quite a bit, if not in a really bad way?

[wackojacko]

What could possibly go wrong ......

[_Neal_]

Lovely cars. It has done a few miles, which proves it has at least been generally working and capable of movement over the years. Still, it'd be a brave, brave move.

Be interesting to get it inspected and see exactly how much is really wrong with it.

[Gogoplata]

Does anybody have any numbers for services on these?

[TobesH]

Been for sale for 27 days!!!!

[E30M3SE]

Gogoplata said:

Does anybody have any numbers for services on these?

http://www.autorapide.co.uk/pages/ferservice.htm

[Life Saab Itch]

When it dies, I'll buy the engine, loom and ECU from you.


Much more character than the Porsche.

[LordFlathead]

Tempted. Very. Seems a bit too 'Verdi'.

[Stew2000]

E30M3SE said:

http://www.autorapide.co.uk/pages/ferservice.htm

How can a cam belt cost so much?!

[The Jolly Todger]

How are they going to get 12 months MOT on it if the drivers door doesn't work? Thought that was on the test.

I'm sure someone could buy it, tart it up, service it, and sell it on for a profit. Could be an ideal car for the next season of Wheeler Dealers.

"Oldoucherandfella, you've just bought yourself a Ferrari."

[VR6 Turbo]

Dr Pepper anyone?

VR

[Bill]

MG511 said:

I think you may need the brave IV drip rather than just the pills with this one. Is it not worth more than £17k in parts, engine and 'box must be worth quite a bit, if not in a really bad way?

It's be a lot less hassle just to hire a very expensive dominatrix.

[gforceg]

Does it matter that the numbers on the odometer don't line up?

To paraphrase Q Wilson from many years ago I'd say that car has been treated the way a peasant treats his donkey.

[bob1179]

For all the pit falls, mega, mega, mega high risk and vast expensive you are going to let yourself in for, I'd be tempted.

It's a seventeen grand, V12 manual Ferrari! What a way to blow a large amount of folding!

[Some Gump]

gforceg said:

Does it matter that the numbers on the odometer don't line up?

To paraphrase Q Wilson from many years ago I'd say that car has been treated the way a peasant treats his donkey.

I looked at this ad a while back, those numbers set the alarm bells into overtime. Nice fit on the front end, too! Still, it does have a horse on the front, still tempted by that chance it's nit a money pit. Better odds on winning the lottery?

[Truckosaurus]

Fortune Favours the Brave.

[Luke.]

Not on your nelly. £17k is hardly pocket change, V12 or not.

[Turbodiesel1690]

First job is to spray the fker red

[The Danimal]

One of my favorite Ferraris ever. However, this one looks like a 17 grand garden ornament to me...