Description
This car is Lot 183 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 183
Only 6, 990km recorded from new
2001 Ferrari 456M GT
Registration no.
Chassis no. ZFFWP44Bthe details below
Desirable Modificata six-speed manual gearbox version
Elegant Grigio Titanio on beige leather colour configuration
Delivered new in France by Charles Pozzi
Sold with its complete tool kit and documentation
French registration document
Ferrari had not had a 2+2 in its range since production of the 412 ended in 1989, and when the 456 GT made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 1992, it was clear that the new arrival would eclipse all Maranello's previous four-seater gran turismo cars. Although it was brand new down to its bumpers, the 456 GT sported certain components familiar to generations of Ferrari connoisseurs - a V12 engine with four overhead camshafts in the front, a transaxle gearbox in the back, a tubular chassis and independent suspension - for the first time it also had electronically controlled self-levelling suspension and a six-speed gearbox. The new 5. 5l V12, broadly speaking a more restrained version of the 550 and 575, produced no less than 442 hp at just 6, 250 RPM, while its excellent management system kept it supple and honed, from idle to the red line. Other than the F40, the 456 was the most powerful road car ever designed by Ferrari, yet despite its supercar performance, its relatively low-speed engine proved very reliable.
For the 456, Pininfarina once again used its magic formula to create sublime coachwork, all curves, far from its predecessor's sharp lines. While stripped of any aerodynamic trim, the 456 remains stable up to its maximum speed of around 190mph (305km/ h), which made it the world's fastest four-seater in production. The 456's style was lauded from the start and has aged beautifully, which is testament to Pininfarina's perspicacity in creating one of the most beautiful profiles ever. An air-conditioned passenger compartment, upholstered in sumptuous Connolly leather, perfectly balanced power steering and build quality worthy of a Porsche combined to make the 456GT a serious competitor to Bentley, Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz. An automatic gearbox version, known as the 456 GT A, was offered as of 1997, and two years later, the model underwent a single upgrade, in the somewhat modified form of the 456 GT M (Modificata).
This Ferrari 456M GT in Grigio Titanio on beige leather was one of the 688 manual gearbox, left-hand drive versions delivered. Thus, in December 2000, it was sold by Charles Pozzi, and registered in the name of a company in the Paris area. Maintained by Pozzi in its early years, up to 3, 204km, it changed hands in 2004. It stayed with the same owner for 20 years, clocking up very few kilometres over the years, as shown by a 2017 service at Fiorano Racing, when the car had 5, 166km on the clock. In 2024, it was acquired by its current owner, who entrusted it to a Courbevoie specialist for a full service.
Today, this 456M GT has just 6, 990 kilometres on the clock. Serviced less than a year ago, it will be sold with copies of invoices for maintenance at Charles Pozzi from 2000 to 2004 and its most recent maintenance invoices, but above all, with its complete, original set of manuals, its toolkit, cover and its French registration document (carte grise). This Ferrari therefore offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the Italian carmaker's last GT cars offered with a mechanical gearbox. Exceptional in its mileage, it is a 25-year-old time capsule.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
