My Ferrari 456GT (94)
Discussion
Hello!
When I was about 4 years old I was given the VHS "Top Gear Supercars 1994", where a slightly younger looking Clarkson and Tiff Needell drove what were at the time the finest cars available to buy. Late model 964s, the then new Diablo, Renault A110, Venturi (remember those?! ever seen one??) and amongst others the car that stood out for me was the then brand new Ferrari 456GT. I'm actually on my second VHS, i watched the first one so many times it ended up dying and seizing up!
Those were the days! But what stuck with me was the 456. I loved the look of it on the tape, I loved Clarksons description - especially his comments about "petrol is cheaper than milk. Don't come and moan at me about fuel economy, and I won't come round to your house in the morning and ask you how much milk you're putting on your cornflakes!", and I always kept an eye on them, hoping that one day I would be able to buy one. That day came in 2015 when I was financially able (pulled a few strings here and there..) and I secured a 1996 car, in the blue from the VHS tape, with the same interior and with the manual gearbox which was an absolute must for me. I was 25 at the time and was beyond head over heels in love with the car, and chuffed i'd managed to get one. I wasn't lucky enough to be able to purchase one (or even be driving) in the early 2000s when you could get one of these for sub £20k, and I doubt anyone will be lucky enough again to do that.
my 1996 456GT, completely stock
I had this one for two years, took it round Europe and generally had a laugh in it. I like to drive my cars. I see stories and postings of people with 20 or 30 cars that sit in the garage earning money and maybe seeing 100 miles a year if they are lucky. I don't get that, but then again if we all enjoyed doing the same things then the world would be a rather boring place. I don't own a garage queen.
Sadly this car became something much worse. A good friend of mine has since said to me "there are two things you should never lend your friend. your fountain pen, or your wife". Well, add "your cherished ferrari" to that list, as in June 2017 i lent my car to a good friend of mine. He managed four miles.
Gutted was an understatement! For anyone interested this was on the A413 just outside Amersham in Buckinghamshire. The bonnet on the 456 is made from Kevlar, and a replacement unit won't see you much change out of £25k. That plus all the other bits meant this car was a total write off. I got more than what I paid for it, but that is beside the point.
I made Seb do a Tony Mason for me - it was the least that he could do for me! by the way, we are still good friends, it's only metal. That said if he had done this in my DS19, i'd probably be in prison!
Anyway, that was that and the 456 was gone. I called my car guy Wayne who sources me cars from all over the place and told him the sad news, he was pretty upset too as he said it was the cleanest 456 he'd ever sold. It was an EU car that came in from Japan. Most people over there garage their cars under AC and meticulously maintain them. Wayne being the natural salesman that he is of course said "would you like me to find you another 456". At the time I couldn't really stomach it and wanted to use the money elsewhere so said no, but about three months later he called up and said "you've got to have this 456, it's unique". "Unique" doesn't usually do it for me, and the initial picture he sent me of the interior certainly did not improve matters:
Sunglasses mandatory?
I am very much of the opinion on high end cars that the experts that craft them kind of know what they are doing, and much to my dismay this car had it's lovely leather interior replaced with Suede, including the roof (every inch of the 456 interior is leather), it had racing suspension fitted (instead of the electronically adjusted factory setup) and a sports exhaust fitted (why?). But of course I bought it. Not sure why, but there you go. It arrived about 10 weeks later (again it was from Japan) and i've had it for about two years.
As soon as it arrived I felt i'd made a mistake. The seats (for me) are too uncomfortable - they're recaros covered in suede from not a Ferrari. The interior is too loud. The suspension too harsh. I don't know whether it's because the first one was so good, and this one is so different, but something just hasn't really clicked with me! It does sound nice though!
|https://thumbsnap.com/OE21w163[/url]
I took it down to Stuart at SB Race Engineering in Aylesbury in June for a service and few bits and saw these two lovely F40s in for various annual requirements:
The two red beauties:
I decided to take it on a make or break driving holiday around Switzerland and Italy in September to see if I could fall back in love with the car, and it started out well. The blast down through France was surprisingly comfortable (the ac even worked), although naturally spent a lot of time doing this:
The tank on the 456 is 120 litres so you can easily get 600km between fills, however the fuel gauge is a bit intermittent (was the same on the blue one...) so I usually do it every 300-400km.
We enjoyed some gorgeous roads all round south Switzerland - if anyone is interested in the route we took let me know and I can write that up. Unfortunately about half way up Stelvio the alternator went and the trip ended like this:
The excellent Nationwide Flex Plus account breakdown cover sorted this collected within 2 hours and we arranged our own travel/hire car and claimed it back. We ended up renting a Jag F type and flew back from Stuttgart, so it wasn't a totally ruined trip. The car got repatriated to the UK.
Whilst only minor and very easily fixed, the incident has kind of spoiled the car for me and not sure what to do. I was starting to fall back in love with the car on the passes, but perhaps this is a sign? I've just bought a 599 which is going through registration (imported from Kuwait) and I'm not sure whether to keep the 456, or flog it on and get something different to replace it. I'm pretty useless with money so having a car that will hold or improve in value is a good idea for me. A big part of me wants to hang onto it and try and learn to enjoy it as it's still got the emotional link of childhood dreams, I just wish it were stock.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on. I will get some more pics of the trip or of the car as the views and the weather we had were absolutely phenomenal.
Thanks
Alex.
When I was about 4 years old I was given the VHS "Top Gear Supercars 1994", where a slightly younger looking Clarkson and Tiff Needell drove what were at the time the finest cars available to buy. Late model 964s, the then new Diablo, Renault A110, Venturi (remember those?! ever seen one??) and amongst others the car that stood out for me was the then brand new Ferrari 456GT. I'm actually on my second VHS, i watched the first one so many times it ended up dying and seizing up!
Those were the days! But what stuck with me was the 456. I loved the look of it on the tape, I loved Clarksons description - especially his comments about "petrol is cheaper than milk. Don't come and moan at me about fuel economy, and I won't come round to your house in the morning and ask you how much milk you're putting on your cornflakes!", and I always kept an eye on them, hoping that one day I would be able to buy one. That day came in 2015 when I was financially able (pulled a few strings here and there..) and I secured a 1996 car, in the blue from the VHS tape, with the same interior and with the manual gearbox which was an absolute must for me. I was 25 at the time and was beyond head over heels in love with the car, and chuffed i'd managed to get one. I wasn't lucky enough to be able to purchase one (or even be driving) in the early 2000s when you could get one of these for sub £20k, and I doubt anyone will be lucky enough again to do that.
my 1996 456GT, completely stock
I had this one for two years, took it round Europe and generally had a laugh in it. I like to drive my cars. I see stories and postings of people with 20 or 30 cars that sit in the garage earning money and maybe seeing 100 miles a year if they are lucky. I don't get that, but then again if we all enjoyed doing the same things then the world would be a rather boring place. I don't own a garage queen.
Sadly this car became something much worse. A good friend of mine has since said to me "there are two things you should never lend your friend. your fountain pen, or your wife". Well, add "your cherished ferrari" to that list, as in June 2017 i lent my car to a good friend of mine. He managed four miles.
Gutted was an understatement! For anyone interested this was on the A413 just outside Amersham in Buckinghamshire. The bonnet on the 456 is made from Kevlar, and a replacement unit won't see you much change out of £25k. That plus all the other bits meant this car was a total write off. I got more than what I paid for it, but that is beside the point.
I made Seb do a Tony Mason for me - it was the least that he could do for me! by the way, we are still good friends, it's only metal. That said if he had done this in my DS19, i'd probably be in prison!
Anyway, that was that and the 456 was gone. I called my car guy Wayne who sources me cars from all over the place and told him the sad news, he was pretty upset too as he said it was the cleanest 456 he'd ever sold. It was an EU car that came in from Japan. Most people over there garage their cars under AC and meticulously maintain them. Wayne being the natural salesman that he is of course said "would you like me to find you another 456". At the time I couldn't really stomach it and wanted to use the money elsewhere so said no, but about three months later he called up and said "you've got to have this 456, it's unique". "Unique" doesn't usually do it for me, and the initial picture he sent me of the interior certainly did not improve matters:
Sunglasses mandatory?
I am very much of the opinion on high end cars that the experts that craft them kind of know what they are doing, and much to my dismay this car had it's lovely leather interior replaced with Suede, including the roof (every inch of the 456 interior is leather), it had racing suspension fitted (instead of the electronically adjusted factory setup) and a sports exhaust fitted (why?). But of course I bought it. Not sure why, but there you go. It arrived about 10 weeks later (again it was from Japan) and i've had it for about two years.
As soon as it arrived I felt i'd made a mistake. The seats (for me) are too uncomfortable - they're recaros covered in suede from not a Ferrari. The interior is too loud. The suspension too harsh. I don't know whether it's because the first one was so good, and this one is so different, but something just hasn't really clicked with me! It does sound nice though!
|https://thumbsnap.com/OE21w163[/url]I took it down to Stuart at SB Race Engineering in Aylesbury in June for a service and few bits and saw these two lovely F40s in for various annual requirements:
The two red beauties:
I decided to take it on a make or break driving holiday around Switzerland and Italy in September to see if I could fall back in love with the car, and it started out well. The blast down through France was surprisingly comfortable (the ac even worked), although naturally spent a lot of time doing this:
The tank on the 456 is 120 litres so you can easily get 600km between fills, however the fuel gauge is a bit intermittent (was the same on the blue one...) so I usually do it every 300-400km.
We enjoyed some gorgeous roads all round south Switzerland - if anyone is interested in the route we took let me know and I can write that up. Unfortunately about half way up Stelvio the alternator went and the trip ended like this:
The excellent Nationwide Flex Plus account breakdown cover sorted this collected within 2 hours and we arranged our own travel/hire car and claimed it back. We ended up renting a Jag F type and flew back from Stuttgart, so it wasn't a totally ruined trip. The car got repatriated to the UK.
Whilst only minor and very easily fixed, the incident has kind of spoiled the car for me and not sure what to do. I was starting to fall back in love with the car on the passes, but perhaps this is a sign? I've just bought a 599 which is going through registration (imported from Kuwait) and I'm not sure whether to keep the 456, or flog it on and get something different to replace it. I'm pretty useless with money so having a car that will hold or improve in value is a good idea for me. A big part of me wants to hang onto it and try and learn to enjoy it as it's still got the emotional link of childhood dreams, I just wish it were stock.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on. I will get some more pics of the trip or of the car as the views and the weather we had were absolutely phenomenal.
Thanks
Alex.
Edited by idealstandard on Friday 25th October 10:38
Edited by idealstandard on Friday 25th October 10:45
Edited by idealstandard on Friday 25th October 10:46
lukeharding said:
This is probably my favourite part of the whole story. Sorry to hear about your original car, such a sad way for a nice car like that to end up. I do really like the new one though (even though the interior is a little bit mad). You don't see many in red and I think it really suits them (nearly as much as yellow). I never used to appreciate them but certainly coming around to the idea. Thanks for sharing 
Thankyou, yeah I agree they do look nice in red and in yellow. Funnily enough I never used to like red Ferraris, however since owning this one I do understand the appeal. My incoming 599 is also in red. With a tan interior/red inserts. Stock!bucksmanuk said:
both lovely lovely cars....
You appear to be remarkably laid back about the damage to the blue car. I would be absolutely furious!
Yeah a few people have said that. Truth be told 2017 was a tricky year for me personally and I took it as the icing on the cake - a "laugh or you'll cry" moment. I did end up putting in a formal complaint with the police force though, they took photos and shared it on twitter/facebook poking fun at my friend Seb. Sadly i think someone lost their job over it, all because they refused to take the posts down. But it wasn't really on.You appear to be remarkably laid back about the damage to the blue car. I would be absolutely furious!
ghost83 said:
Lovely cars but I think I’d be trying to source a more original Ferrari interior
I have thought about it. If I do keep it, I will probably be looking to do that. I'm in two minds as to what to do.Rich135 said:
Lovely cars and a great write up. Do you have a separate thread on the DS? That just looks gorgeous!
Yes I do, here you are: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...67Dino said:
Personally think your suede interior looks awful
I agree. but if you think that looks awful, you should have seen the wheels it arrived with. I luckily managed to find genuine wheels and sourced new tyres (didnt see much change out of £2500 for that), the old ones were atrocious. Black gloss with red bead round the outside.I think I have them in the lockup. Awful.
SturdyHSV said:
Iif you want to maintain the childhood dream link, get one in the VHS spec.
You sir, speak sense! I am tempted by a 550m if I do sell.Usget said:
That will be someone's perfect spec somewhere. Why not sell it and buy one that you actually like...?
Yeah you are spot on just like the other poster who said much and the same. I hate selling things is basically the answer. I sold one of my motorbikes two years ago and regret it every day. I think maybe i'll sell this to someone who really loves the interior etc, and then get a stock 550.SturdyHSV said:
The 550 is a great looking thing, more excellent taste. I'll admit to being less convinced by the 599, but I can't say I've seen one in the flesh for a very long time.
Also, that place with the two F40s outside, is that on the industrial estate just by Fairford Leys? I used to live about half a mile away in the centre of FL, didn't realise that level of fancy stuff was lurking!
Yes mate, it's off of the Raban Lane industrial estate. A proper treasure trove inside that place. When I was there, two Diablo SV, those two F40s, and a handful of brand new Huracans having their exhausts replaced with new ones.Also, that place with the two F40s outside, is that on the industrial estate just by Fairford Leys? I used to live about half a mile away in the centre of FL, didn't realise that level of fancy stuff was lurking!
The 599 i have always liked the look of, from the back. Not so much the front. I'm excited none the less
Nunga said:
Any details on the 599, or shall we wait for a separate thread?
I'll do a thread once it's on UK plates and Stuart has checked it all out for me (basically when I know it's all sound and it's not going back...) But short details are its a 2007 car, about 40k miles, recent new clutch (automated manual on all but about 30 of these), all history, Challenge wheels, Red with Tan. So a fairly typical 599.Thanks
Alex
EarlofDrift said:
They also have to be the quietest Ferrari I have ever heard.
Yes, although this one does have a sports exhaust system. Such was the noise I had two extra muffler baffles installed. I'm not a fan of super loud exhausts.Even on the stock exhaust, its got a nice rumble, and really starts to shout over 5,000rpm... Here is my old blue one starting up.
https://vimeo.com/368826796
Alex
67Dino said:
It was a very expensive car new, and had all sorts of novel technologies eg the composite bonnet construction. In addition, many parts aren’t available now. So whilst I don’t think it’s any more fragile than other cars of its era, when work does need doing it can easily be a 5-figure job.
So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Whilst you're not wrong in terms of it's not mondeo money when it comes to running costs - they're actually not too bad either. Being front engine most work is cheaper, Cam belts depending on who you use plus a full service and let's say a couple of suspension bits, brakes or something and you're in for £1500.00-2000.00. That would be every two years or so. maybe generic servicing = £500.00 - 800.00 a year.So although they look like £50k cars, they’re really £100k cars that you get to pay in instalments. That was my man-maths anyway...
Ive had two of these cars and covered in excess of 20,000 miles and i've had no real major issues. No major mechanical failures. The engines are made really well and is basically a detuned V12 from a 550m. Known for doing good mileage. I think one thing Ferrari do very well is make engines. The headlamp risers have failed twice. They're straight out of a Volvo 480. The alternator on both cars. Straight out of a Ford. ECUs / some wiring can be problematic but they're off the shelf Bosch and any decent auto-elec will be fine. Tyres have gone vintage now so are about £350 a corner, but don't drive like a muppet and you'll be good for 3, maybe 4 years motoring.
So it's not necessarily as scary as you think!
Alex.
67Dino said:
Thanks Alex, good to hear an alternative experience. Can’t help thinking you may have been a bit lucky! Either way, suspect neither of us would promise someone who didn’t have £5-10k to hand that they were fine and would never need it.
I think that basically if you buy a car like this, or any not-brand-new Ferrari for that matter expecting to have a cheap motoring experience you're pretty mad. As I said, I like to drive my cars. I believe strongly in preventative maintenance and do things before they're needed to prevent bigger bills. My man-maths tells me that's probably better over a 5-10 year period than just this one year.If you want cheap to run supercar-ish thrills buy a Porsche 911. I think those will even do 25mpg. It does make me laugh reading various V8, V12 threads and people are asking about " real world MPG ". As if that's your priority when buying a NA V12?
No, they are expensive to run. This, along with my other "special" cars are where i spend maintenance money. It's why my daily driver is a 10 year old Volvo.
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
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!
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
Digga said:
An acquaintance gave me few PAX laps around Mallory Park in once of these, back in the day. Okay, it's a GT car and was never fully intended to be doing track days, but it went pretty well and sounded utterly glorious. Beautiful cars too.
Agreed, the sound is where it's at. I particularly love coming out of French toll booths back up to "motorway speed"...!SVX said:
I've said it before, and shall say it again a 456 GTA/M in Le Mans blue and tan hide is probably the only realistic Ferrari ownership proposition I'll ever achieve... What a lovely thing, as a serial Lancisti and Alfa owner, I know that they're not without their foibles, but go in with your eyes open, and a sensible operating budget, you can have a continitent crushing GT. I'd dearly like to do the London to Cape Town route in something of that ilk.
Now that would be a trip!https://vimeo.com/371864362
Video of some nice sunday afternoon driving a few months ago.
AJL308 said:
After a lot of reading it became apparent that the reputation they have for being unreliable seems to stem largely from the fact that they aren't driven very much.
That's basically it. I know a few people with high performance cars that drive them daily (Tuscan, old Jags, Ferraris) and they have no issues. I cannot understand people that buy these high end vehicles and then worry about mileage. I'm never going to be worried about residual as my priority and passion is driving the cars, enjoying the experience and of course some high speed motoring.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff