IMPERFECT 456 GT for sale

1995 FERRARI 456 GT (ZFFSP44A0S0100778) Rosso Barchetta, Tan Interior, $94,500.
It's not perfect, concours, or showroom, but it is a beauty. A head turner at every corner. Most of you, gathered from my inquisitiveness over the years, have never driven a 456. I never did either until a couple of years ago. When I was shopping for my first Ferrari, a 328, in the nineties, the 456 arrived at the dealer. I remember thinking that is was one beautiful looking car. Of course it came with a new unthinkable price tag. Over the years I found that they were very scarce at FCA events, Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Cavallino Classic events that we attended. Many years later I ran across one getting serviced and the desire was reignited. I decided to look for one. After a several month search I bought one and then another. That is a story for another time and I'd be happy to share it with anyone that is interested in this car and wants to hear it.
Back to this car. It's 21 years old and it has some cosmetic flaws, but not many. There are some light swirl marks on the hood I'm not happy with, but not bad enough to worry about. Clear bra on the front half of hood and mirrors. I am picky with the looks and mechanicals on my cars and there is nothing cosmetically that bothers me. The paint is very good to excellent as well as the interior. People follow me into parking lots and gas stations just to admire it or ask questions. Over the last couple of years I have sorted it out to my satisfaction, including the following list:

New Interstate Battery
Complete Major Service, including timing belts, December, 2015
Radiator removed and flushed
Water pump replaced
New thermostat
Motor mounts replaced
New coolant temperature sender
A/C recharged
Replaced Valve Cover Gaskets
Replaced Cam Shaft O Rings
Replaced Timing Belt Tensioners with updated 550/575 version
Replaced Various Radiator/Coolant hoses
Replaced Fuel Pressure Regulators
Removed 19" Modular style wheels (see pictures of car before wheel removal)and replaced with Original 456 wheels and 4 new Continental tires.

As I suggested in the beginning, most of you have never sat in one, maybe never have even seen one and probably have never driven one. Let me tell you, they are nice and this one puts a smile on your face. This one, being a GT is a 6 speed. It runs like a Ferrari and the exhaust sound is all Ferrari. Acceleration is as much as you want. It's a rocket. At highway speeds the exhaust note calms down to a low drone allowing easy conversation or CD/Radio enjoyment. Comfort is a premium. Unlike many Ferraris, especially our 8 cylinder brethren, you can travel all day in this car or get in and out of it easily on errand day. I am not going to tell you that you will never have any issues. It's a Ferrari. But the main problem areas in 456's that I am aware of are valves, windows, sticky parts and dash shrinkage. There are probably more, that fortunately, I am not aware of. This car has none of those issues because they either never happened or they have been addressed.

This car has 53,000 miles. Now this turns a lot of Ferrari buyers off, but not all. Many in the know appreciate higher mileage Ferraris because they have been sorted out over the years, potential problems peculiar to that model have been addressed, and they have been serviced regularly in order to keep them on the road for a longer period of time. A well known Ferrari tech showed me a 328 in his stable that had 72,000 miles and he said it was the best driving 328 he had ever been in. This from a person who would know. Lower mileage Ferraris that are rarely driven often demand higher prices, but sometimes delayed or ignored service can make them less desirable drivers until the car is well sorted as parts age even if the car is not driven over its life. I have three "high" mileage Ferraris, as well as other brands and I enjoy driving all of them. I am fortunate that they have been well cared for. The 456 comes with two sets of keys, Owners Manual, Tool Set, Luggage, Original Window Sticker, and an extra set of 19" modular style larger wheels (see pictures).

It's a longer story as I referred to previously, but I have several Ferraris, including this 456 and another 456. I have a couple of other sports cars and daily drivers as well. In order to give them the garage space and the road time that they deserve, I drive my cars, something has to go and this 456 is one of them. If I didn't have another 456 I would definitely be keeping this car.

I have struggled with coming up with a price. I definitely would like to at least make back what I bought it for and what I have put into it, plus a little more for the effort. Since relatively few are for sale, it's hard to come up with comparisons as I see prices from $60,000 to $150,000. I've decided to post it at $94,500. I have read Ferrari Chat for many years, read it often and have learned a lot. Although I don't do a lot of posting, I have gotten to "know" many of the regulars. I appreciate the opinions as most of the time they are presented in an honest fashion. If any of you would like to comment, critique or have any suggestions, on my description of the vehicle, the price, or anything else, I would welcome your comments.

Thanks and sorry for the long drawn out description, but I am passionate about this car and I felt it deserved it. I welcome inspections. The car is located in Texas. Best ways to reach me are cell, 830 608-4312, PM, or email, [email protected]
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Thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate that.
James in Denver: First thing in the morning I'm going to review the past paperwork I have and see if I can find anything on valve service.

 

James in Denver: I went through paperwork that I have. Unfortunately I don't have any service records prior to 33,000 miles. At 33285 the valves were checked and adjusted. At 43151 valve clearances were checked. At 52636 my mechanic did a valve adjustment. He did not feel there were any issues. The car does not show any signs of valve guide or seating problems and runs great. So it's possible that there never has been a problem and, hopefully never will be, or it had been addressed before 30,000 miles. If you are truly interested in the car I would be glad to bring it into the shop for compression and leak down tests and oil examination.

 

MEA CULPA
I posted a picture of the wrong tool set for the 456. I keep the tool set for the cars in the house and when I grabbed a tool set to take a picture of the set in the trunk of the 456 I took the 550 set by mistake. Attached is a picture of the 456 tool set. I think I have it correct now. There were probably several of you (Taz comes to mind) that noticed the misstep, but were too polite to say anything. If I still don't have it right please let me know.
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Well, I guess the lack of overwhelming response to my ad has informed me that the market for this car is not as strong as I thought it was, or thought it should be. This is an exceptional 456 and I believed it should command more. An excellent driver, while at the same time, an attention grabber. So, I am dropping the price to $84,500. Pictures are in my original ad of July 17, but if you can't find them just contact me and I'll be glad to provide them. Thank you.