My Pick of the Day is a 1996 Ferrari 456 available on ClassicCars.com located at a dealer in Southampton, New York.
There is something that is just magic about a Ferrari. The ring history, the performance, the engines, and the styling over the years have built these cars into the legends they are today. The problem is that Ferraris are also quite expensive, especially the 12-cylinder models, with prices for almost every desirable model in excess of $100,000, putting them out of the affordability category for many people.
There is an exception, though: a V12-powered Ferrari road car, which offers strong performance, classic Italian styling, and a great view from behind the steering wheel. It’s also an engaging car to drive when it has a 6-speed manual and only the most basic driver’s aids. That car is the Ferrari 456.
The best way to think of the 456 is as a 2+2 version of the 550 Maranello, with more interior room than the 550 and an optional gated 6-speed manual gearbox, an F116B V12 with 436hp and 406 lb-ft of torque under the hood, and pop-up headlights (the last Ferrari with this feature).
This 456 is finished in Canna Di Fucile (Gunmetal Gray) over a natural-colored leather interior. It importantly is equipped with that 6-speed manual transmission and – possibly more importantly – includes its service history, all original books, a complete tool kit, and has covered 56,156 miles from new. The seller points out that this 456 had its last service in 2023 at Ferrari of Seattle, which included refreshed suspension bushings as part of the $14,000 in work done.
Yes, you can buy an automatic-equipped 456 for around 20 percent less than this manual-equipped car, but while it is a better deal, it lacks that extra-special driver-involved detail of putting a 6-speed gated shifter through its paces.
Both the interior and exterior of this 456 appear to be in excellent condition, and the color combination is terrific to me. The fact it includes service history and all books and tools makes this car that much more attractive as a buy.
I have driven a few of these cars over the years, and the 456 is the very essence of all that makes a Ferrari GT so desirable. It has a modern air-conditioning system, and the seats are quite comfortable. It is also quite fast, with period tests recording 0-60 times of a still-respectable 4.8 seconds and a top speed of a very fast 192 mph. The car delivers this performance with ease, able to loaf at 75 mph all day long on an interstate and then instantly react when you hit the throttle in sixth gear, quickly doubling the speed limit. The ride is firm yet comfortable, and the car not only cruises nicely but also handles well when the road gets curvy. You also get the sound of that V12 under the hood the minute the revs rise, which in itself is very addicting.
Owning a Ferrari is a lifetime goal for many people. Most settle for a V8-powered mid-engined car, which is amazing in its own right – but a front-engine V12 Ferrari GT is something extra-special. It is a car that I guarantee will get noticed, whether you are in traffic or parked in a garage. It also likely has similar service costs to a V8-equipped car despite the extra cylinders, because the engine is front-mounted and easily accessible.
Now for the best part. Because the Ferrari audience has largely ignored the 456 for years, you can buy this 1995 Ferrari 456 for only $89,995, which is cheaper than many modern manual-equipped V8-powered Ferraris. If there is a bargain on a V12 Ferrari GT car, this 456 is it.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
