My Ferrari 456GT (94)
Discussion
samoht said:
It seems that the Japanese owner had an idea of what a Ferrari was - a racing car for the road - and attempted to modify it accordingly ? But it looks to me like trying to turn an elegant albeit fast grand tourer into something it's not.
Exactly that. And the quality of the "upgrades" is extremely high, I dread to think how much money has been spent. I have a friend who is an upholsterer who said the quality of work is outstanding. It's just not to my taste but that's not to say that's the same for everyone.fernando the frog said:
such a shame about your original one as it was a perfect spec! aged really nicely too. echo the sentiments on here that the red one isn't as nice.
what about a 612 as an upgrade?
I've never been a great fan of the 612, although I did enjoy Clarksons drive down to Verbier in it!!what about a 612 as an upgrade?
I'm not worried about whether I can sell the 456 or not, that won't be an issue, thankfully i'm not in a position where I need to. It's still a great car, mechanically and handling wise, and that's kind of what it's about.
Alex
Fascinating thread, thanks for posting about your experience.
I think the comments in regards to running costs are actually very helpful for those of us whom might one day be lucky enough to buy one when the stars (and much saving) align.
I can see your point about the alternator, but ultimately, it sounds like a very typical car - stuff invariably breaks.
Surely these cars, like most, appreciate being driven and are actually less likely to give stupid repair bills?
I think the comments in regards to running costs are actually very helpful for those of us whom might one day be lucky enough to buy one when the stars (and much saving) align.
I can see your point about the alternator, but ultimately, it sounds like a very typical car - stuff invariably breaks.
Surely these cars, like most, appreciate being driven and are actually less likely to give stupid repair bills?
C7 JFW said:
Fascinating thread, thanks for posting about your experience.
I think the comments in regards to running costs are actually very helpful for those of us whom might one day be lucky enough to buy one when the stars (and much saving) align.
I can see your point about the alternator, but ultimately, it sounds like a very typical car - stuff invariably breaks.
Surely these cars, like most, appreciate being driven and are actually less likely to give stupid repair bills?
No worries, i've found other peoples comments and feedback on their own cars very helpful in previous years when buying cars (long time lurker on PH). Happy to post about running costs, i'm just saying that mpg really isn't something that should be questioned on a car that you probably won't be using to commute round the M25 ha ha!I think the comments in regards to running costs are actually very helpful for those of us whom might one day be lucky enough to buy one when the stars (and much saving) align.
I can see your point about the alternator, but ultimately, it sounds like a very typical car - stuff invariably breaks.
Surely these cars, like most, appreciate being driven and are actually less likely to give stupid repair bills?
Yeah, stuff invariably does go, you're right. These cars are designed to be used, and thankfully whilst the modifications that have been made cosmetically are not to my taste, the drivetrain is just as it should be. It's still a Ferrari ! The more it's used the happier it is.
Alex.
pomp1 said:
I think the 456 looks absolutely stunning to this day. I remember going to look at a 456 at Brooklands in Leeds and my mum said the centre console was too wide, my dad was devastated.
Love the red interior- it’s unique!
Thanks, I am sure the Japanese Yakuza previous owner (guessing!) would be happy with your compliment!Love the red interior- it’s unique!
This thread takes me back! Had my red 456M for over 10 years; at the time the longest I'd held onto any car, and only sold it because the children had grown up and I wasn't using it much. Like others here, the perceived running costs put me off far too long and I'd have taken the plunge sooner had I not listened to all the internet crap. I can say with some certainty that running it's older replacement (250GTE) is considerably more costly, despite being simpler.
It's a wonderful machine, enjoy it in good health.
It's a wonderful machine, enjoy it in good health.
Love the 456 but starting the article with the words "the 456 made the big GTs great again after the forgettable era of 400s" just shows a lack of knowledge from someone who has clearly never driven a good manual 365GT4 or 400 or 412. A well-known and highly respected Ferrari specialist who looks after my car has sold his manual 456 and is looking for one of these earlier models as they are much more of an experience to drive. Certainly I would not swap my 412 for a 456 (even with a good chunk of cash in my direction) and prices on the Continent (£80-90k-plus) show how these cars are finally being appreciate for what they are - supremely elegant GTs with the very last Colombo V12s ever made and the last of the Enzo-era four-seaters. Don't forget that that great man had these as his personal cars rather than the two-seaters...
mrmotorhome said:
Love the 456 but starting the article with the words "the 456 made the big GTs great again after the forgettable era of 400s" just shows a lack of knowledge...
Just to be clear, the above is a response to Matt Bird's article about this thread ( https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-ferrari/ferrar... ), rather than the thread itself; the OP didn't mention the 400s.Gorgeous looking machine, and I’m not envious in the slightest.
Must admit to always looking wistfully at these but the comment about buying a £50k car that actually costs £100k payable in instalments puts it in perspective!
I’m a cautious guy when it comes to maintenance of any car I’ve owned but the thought of huge bulls every time it enters a main dealer of specialist would, as my teenage son so eloquently says, ‘make my bum nip together’
It may be my perception but from threads I’ve read Ferrari’s seem to need suspension bushes or parts with depressing regularity, I just wonder why? Surely the quality should be of an equal if not better standard to that of its competitions?
Hope the OP has many happy miles in this, it’s good to see it being used rather than just looked at.
Must admit to always looking wistfully at these but the comment about buying a £50k car that actually costs £100k payable in instalments puts it in perspective!
I’m a cautious guy when it comes to maintenance of any car I’ve owned but the thought of huge bulls every time it enters a main dealer of specialist would, as my teenage son so eloquently says, ‘make my bum nip together’
It may be my perception but from threads I’ve read Ferrari’s seem to need suspension bushes or parts with depressing regularity, I just wonder why? Surely the quality should be of an equal if not better standard to that of its competitions?
Hope the OP has many happy miles in this, it’s good to see it being used rather than just looked at.
I've run a 456GT got 5 years or so. We had our honeymoon trip to Bordeaux and a few others in the continent. Great memories with a great GT. I would think that your suspension is a worth upgrade as the electronic one is very early gen and had it's issues (leaks, actuator failing etc). I sold it when my daughter was born and needed a larger boot. I've been running a transaxle Maserati QPV over the past couple of years and has been somewhat similar in terms of experience but being 10 years younger a bit more robust.
Thanks for the post - good to hear from other 456 owners. I did the NC500 in May in mine - it was fantastic. I also discovered that the rears are pretty pricey now, having got two new ones fitted before I headed up north. The trip really proved that these cars like to be driven - after the first 500 miles (getting up there) it was running better than ever. I averaged 19 mpg over about 2,000 miles (mine also has an 'intermittent' fuel gauge). The photo shows it at Kylesku Bridge in the NW Highlands. It is Le Mans blue wih crema trim, manual 456 GT.
Edited by Jex on Saturday 2nd November 18:19
Jex said:
Thanks for the post - good to hear from other 456 owners. I did the NC500 in May in mine - it was fantastic. I also discovered that the rears are pretty pricey now, having got two new ones fitted before I headed up north. The trip really proved that these cars like to be driven - after the first 500 miles (getting up there) it was running better than ever. I averaged 19 mpg over about 2,000 miles (mine also has an 'intermittent' fuel gauge). The photo shows it at Kylesku Bridge in the NW Highlands. It is Le Mans blue wih crema trim, manual 456 GT.
Got a big soft spot for the 456 and this particular one reminds me of my old Bburago models of this exact spec car. Jex said:
Matt Cup said:
Got a big soft spot for the 456 and this particular one reminds me of my old Bburago models of this exact spec car.
I have the Bburago one too - the model is a slightly lighter shade of blue.Judging by the photo of your original car with the roundabout in the background, this is where the A413 turns south onto the very wide single carriageway bypass around Amersham? If so I’m guessing that the transition to NSL caused a bit of a rush of blood with your friend? I say this not as a criticism, but that I too have given it some beans here after the tedium of chugging through the Chalfonts at 40/50 mph, albeit I’ve never stacked it as a result. It happens, and credit to you for keeping it in perspective and remaining friends 
I almost bought a 456 when we lived in Switzerland. I saw a lovely one in blue with cream leather interior. From memory only about 10,000 km. I drove a couple but ended up getting another 911. I was looking mainly because my wife was insistent about having rear seats so that we could all go in it but not long after I said sod it and bought a 360 CS.
I do love the shape of the 456 but the standard wheels look too small.
I do love the shape of the 456 but the standard wheels look too small.
The 456 is one of my all time favourite cars. Do you know whether your original one ever made it back on the road, or was parted out.
The Japanese Fezza scene is rather large and that interior does not surprise me one bit. An oldie, but a good article from Jalopnik. Also more interested in the different colours which seem to get ordered as opposed to your standard red and black:
https://jalopnik.com/this-is-how-japans-ferrari-ow...
The Japanese Fezza scene is rather large and that interior does not surprise me one bit. An oldie, but a good article from Jalopnik. Also more interested in the different colours which seem to get ordered as opposed to your standard red and black:
https://jalopnik.com/this-is-how-japans-ferrari-ow...
Jex said:
Thanks for the post - good to hear from other 456 owners. I did the NC500 in May in mine - it was fantastic. I also discovered that the rears are pretty pricey now, having got two new ones fitted before I headed up north. The trip really proved that these cars like to be driven - after the first 500 miles (getting up there) it was running better than ever. I averaged 19 mpg over about 2,000 miles (mine also has an 'intermittent' fuel gauge). The photo shows it at Kylesku Bridge in the NW Highlands. It is Le Mans blue wih crema trim, manual 456 GT.
That one looks just like my old one! Lovely.Edited by Jex on Saturday 2nd November 18:19
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff