2001 Ferrari 456M GT Classic Gate Shift Front Engine 12 Cylinder

2001 Ferrari 456 M GT Manual Transmission *RARE* Description

This 2001 model year 456M GT is perhaps the finest example available. If you know these cars, you know this was the top GT Luxury Sports Coupe of its era coming in at nearly 440 hp of power and 400 ft lbs of torque. The reviews are amazing but do not compare to the experience of owning and driving this compliment-magnet. It is a serious car for gentlemen, not a basic red/black v8 night-club door prop for kids. Some say that for the true Ferrari lover, a front engine 12 cylinder with the quintessential gate shift is simply all that will suffice.

With the manual transmission, this car is hundreds of pounds lighter (and faster) than the ill-fated automatic transmission older-sister car, but lucky for aficionados, those automatic transmission models create an artificial drag on all 456 prices, so here you are looking at a car for which the original window sticker shows $231,000 (yes, copy included) though it is now offered at a fraction of that price, in spite of it having but 17,000 miles. If you are looking for the less expensive uncollectible 456 in a base color with no equipment upgrades, please shop for an automatic transmission first-generation (non "M") car and read no further.

If you are more particular, please review the following reasons this specimen should be considered closely:

First, the color of this car is Grigio Ingrid – as Ferraristas know, this paint was created by Pininfarina for the top Italian Movie Mogul Roberto Rossellini by order of his friend Enzo Ferrari, mixed to complement the eyes of Ingrid Bergman (Rossellini's wife)for the GT that later inspired the Scaglietti namesake car. This color was originally an exclusive, unavailable to other Ferrari owners.It is this color that Pininfarina chose as the flagship color for the new 456M when the last iteration 456 was greatly improved and re-released to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1998 as the "M" version. Pininfarina chose this color to lead off the new 456M for good reason – in this Grigio Ingrid the car looks elegant and unique (some say the dark colors common to the early 456 distort the proportions of the car and remind one of the less desirable pre "M"456). As Pininfarina’s eyes correctly concluded, the car looks long and sleek in Grigio Ingrid, with the shadows of its contours showing well in contrast against this color. This is why the Ferrari dealer sales brochure cover itself is Grigio Ingrid for "M" cars and the Grigio Ingrid car is featured in the brochure centerfold as well as all the main photos of the brochure. Yes, this specimen comes with all its books and records, as well as a bonus - the original, mint condition, dealer sales brochure…in the only color the sales brochure was printed - Grigio Ingrid, of course.

Second, this example is well appointed in all other regards. It was ordered with the fancy Daytona seats in two-tone cuoio(tan)/cream Connolly Leather, an interior color pallet that was only otherwise available from Connolly in the finest Rolls Royce cars of this period, and an interior color that goes exquisitely well with the proper Grigio Ingrid exterior. The original wheels and tires have not been on the car, but are in storage and come with the car at the asked price. The car is equipped with wheels custom made for this car: finest quality monoblock aircraft alloy 19” HRE wheels and Michelin tires ($7500), in a 5-spoke configuration matching the original Pininfarina designated Ferrari aesthetic, in a proper matt finish silver (they are not the overly-sporty 'track' wheels or shiny/chrome ‘disco’ wheels some owners mistakenly put on sophisticated cars). The car is equipped with the Official TUBI Racing Exhaust and sounds magnificent, a $5,000 extra that will bring a smile every time the ignition is applied to the huge powerful engine and you find yourself surrounded with the pure deep-tone aggressive roar thats puts the high pitched whine of lesser sports cars to shame.It has a built-in dual-band front/back radar detector and the top of the line stock stereo offered in model year 2001 (CD magazine in-trunk, flip-down hidden cassette in-dash). If you know these cars, you know that the modifications for the "M" version were extensive and excellent. The hood ('bonnet') is said to be the largest piece of carbon fiber to ever equip a stock automobile, the windows do not leak as is the case with most pre-M cars, and many interior refinements and drivetrain or suspension improvements were included. A full list of these from the Ferrari literature can be provided to serious buyers who do not already know of these many valuable benefits.

Third, this specimen is well maintained and runs strong. It is a two-owner car originally titledby a Beverly Hills movie producer who had many cars and thus drove it infrequently but expertly cared for it as part of his collection; always garage kept. Bought by its current owner with 7,000 miles on it, the car is still subject to a high standard of care, including already replacing most interior black trim pieces (which become sticky over time in all Ferraris of this era), a personal detail which alone cost $3,000.The leather, and even interior smell, is almost showroom new. The car is complete with un-used factory car-cover, tools and Ferrari's signature handmade Italian-leather owner's portfolio. The seat rack has been modified to accept both very tall and short drivers - it cannot be seen by the naked eye, but this custom modification makes this specific 456M one of the only SuperCars that accommodates the stature of a professional athlete.

If one wishes to own the most collectable 456, it simply must be: an M car, in Grigio Ingrid, with Manual Transmission, upgraded Daytona seats, low mileage, pristine interior, and excellent maintenance.This car was sought under specific parameters for over 2 years and is now available for sale, but only to the right buyer. Thank you for your consideration.

SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY