Looking for high mileage 456M GT with tan/ivory interior

Greetings. This is my first post. I am looking for a high mileage 456M GT (three pedal) with a light color interior. I plan to drive it until I relinquish my license due to old age. Resale means nothing to me, if I can buy the car at a low enough price. I also (the horror...) plan to repaint it and mod it slightly with aftermarket parts. I will keep all of the original parts, just in case.

I am a 61-year old mechanical engineer and own a precision metal-working prototype shop. I plan to pull the engine and either have it overhauled or do part of it myself for fun. If there is a swap potential (612), I might try that. I have frame-off restored four cars -- two British and two American, but nothing quite like a 456.

Yes, I am crazy, but I am doing a lot of research before spending money.

Any ideas where to look for a car like this? It seems they disappear after 45K miles -- I guess they are parted out.

Thanks in advance.

 

Well, there were only 93 456M GT (6-sp) cars that came to the US through the full production cycle of the M (98-03). They are hard to find as they don't often come up for sale. And when they do, the price ratio for manuals to automatics is right about 2:1. Autos are in the asking price range of $65-80k and the last manual I saw change hands did so at $135k. Carriage House in CT has a well known M GT manual with an ask of $139k. It is green with a tan interior and was originally owned by Tommy Hilfiger.

If you plan on modifying the car as extensively as you indicate, perhaps you should consider initially purchasing an automatic and doing a swap on the transaxle. Owning a whole machine shop would give you the option without too much pain.

I maintain a VIN register on all 456M cars that came to the US and so can provide some information relative to your hunt.

 

I did not know that manual "M's" were so rare.

I should have picked up a 95 manual in Greensboro for $52K when I had the chance last week. (45K miles).

Thanks for the advice. There are three "M" engines on the market now and one ($15K) claims to be rebuilt. It would be easier to focus on the interior color and the 6-speed and then do the paint and mechanical restoration/upgrades.

I should probably contact the breakers and ask to look out for a 456 manual with a blown/damaged engine.

BTW, a breaker in Indonesia (I know, I know,...) claims to have a FF engine that will "fit" into a 456. Before I buy a bunch of blueprints, is this even possible? I would imagine it would take some custom work on the back of the engine to direct the power to the rear transaxle.

Thanks for not flicking me off. I really want a comfortable, tailored driver, not a garage queen.

 

I concur with Eric’s comments.

My impression is that 456 owners fall into one of two primary classes; 1) those who buy them with the intent of long-term ownership, and 2) those who want the prestige of owning a Ferrari but cant afford the maintenance and upkeep. The first group won’t sell their three-pedal, the second can only afford a GTA.

I’d also wager that the reason you’re seeing engines available is because the cars they were in have been totaled.

If it’s just for the sheer challenge, I think a high-mileage GTA could be a candidate for a transmission and complete interior swap. Those parts are available. Then again, if you can afford all the headaches and expense that would entail, you can afford a nice three-pedal....

 

Please let me know by VIN number any M that you come across that has been written off. It'll help keep the register up to date. Losing population is one of the harder things to keep track of....and let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help.

 

I will probably try for an earlier three pedal with a bad engine. The heat in NC is a killer and I want a light color interior, although I realize I will probably drop in two Recaros from another car for my sore back and to get the perforated seats with ventilation (this is what I mean by "modification").

Has anyone heard of swapping in an engine from a 612 or similar newer car?

Thanks for your guidance.

 

i sent you a private msg re: your search for a 3-pedal

 

i'd try a tranny swap before a 612 motor swap...... wonder if a tremec would fit ?

 

I think you and I are on the same basic page regarding this project. It would be to rescue a three-pedal before it is parted out and then go through it end-to-end and engineer swap-solutions and upgrades to rock-solid components.

I was directed to think about a 612 engine swap from a retired Ferrari salesman I have known for 40 years. He said the 612 engine had a lot of upgrades that were desirable, but he, and I, are not attracted to the looks of the 612.

One goal of the project is to make the car as unremarkable and plain-looking as possible, so the crest shields would probably not be a plus.

I am in no rush. I tend to do a lot of homework and get a 3D CAD model built on my projects before I pull the purchase trigger. of course, I have also purchased 3 cars to make one really good one before (Studebaker GT Hawk 4-speed R-2).

Thanks,
Andy

 

imho, the slushbox 456s are insanely cheap compared to the gated versions. 50% off plus or minus ?? making the gated versions more likely to get fixed and not parted out unless there is some sort of real damage.

 

That is what I see, as well.
Does anyone know where I can buy a CAD model of a 456 GTA/456M GTA? Or, just the 2-D drawings? There are a few unscaled drawings on line, but I need the real thing.
Swapping a known good manual transmission like a Tremec (7 Speed?) and seeing where I would cut-n-paste into the transaxle would be the next step of this paper project...
Thanks in advance!

 

And, Art Morrison makes some beautiful Dana 60 IRS rear ends that are virtually bolt-ins for $10-15K. I might lose the adjustable shocks, but you can buy a set of four magnetic FerroFluidic shocks with a programmer for $8K. Could get interesting...

 

if you could do even do a 6 speed manual swap - i'd have an interest.

 

Need the blueprints to assess doability.

 

gasmonkey doesnt use blue prints....

 

Gasmonkey is a wheeler-dealer and can buy a project car just to take measurements and assess the doability of the project. If a Tremec won't fit, or getting the power to the differential (assuming there is a separate one in a 456 GTA in the transaxle...), Gasmonkey will button it up and sent the car to be detailed and sold at the next auxtion house that will agree to sell the car so he gets out even or better.

My wife will not allow that.

 

i was just poking you....

but i do think its a more than worthwhile project

 

Honestly, I like the sound of this project, Andy. Being an engineer/physicist type as well, I'd be happy to play along.

 

whats a used 6 speed out of a z06 run ?

 

Wagrubbs, this new Fleabay listing may be right up your alley.....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Ferrari-456-SEE-FULL-ITEM-DESCRIPTION-BELOW/283087058876?hash=item41e94db7bc:g:gsAAAOSwr85bZlEH&vxp=mtr

 

Seems the original poster may have disappeared.

 

hopefully he's working on the 6 speed swap..... even the cheap auto are getting hard to find

 

I have a 1995 with about 80k miles that I might be willing to sell, but I PM'd him and he never responded. Hopefully, he already found something.

 

... just out of curiosity (I hope I am not being nosey here - in case just say so and I'll go back to my corner) : original valve guides?