1996 Ferrari 456 GTA

Aerodynamically efficient, the 456's styling has not dated, a tribute to Pininfarina's vision

5.5-litre, 48-valve, V12 derived from the Dino V6. 436bhp, 0-60 in 5.2 secs

Just 27,000 miles indicated with a comprehensive service record and fresh MoT

Tour De France Blue with Dark Blue Leather. Right-hand drive

Excellent overall condition and offered with the registration number M55 GTA

Produced from 1992 until 2003, the Ferrari 456 and later 456 M are front-engined 'Grand Tourers' in true Ferrari tradition and were an overdue replacement for the outdated front-engined 412 which had been the company's premium four-seat V12 car for many years. The name '456' refers to the fact that each cylinder displaces 456 cubic centimetres and this was the last Ferrari to use this naming convention. Despite its supercar performance, 436bhp, 0-60mph in 5.2 secs, and a top speed of 188mph, the 456 has a relatively unstressed engine which has proven to be a very reliable unit.

Developed during the Schumacher era, the 456's construction was ground-breaking featuring composite and aluminium bodywork, cutting-edge body to chassis mating technology, along with four-wheel electronically adjustable suspension, resulting in a super lightweight 1,690 kg.

Its looks are smooth and understated, and distinctive external features include a small grille with fog lights on the outside, bonnet-mounted air scoops (removed on the 456M), a motorised undercarriage spoiler that begins its deployment above 65 mph, and pop-up headlights, making this the last Ferrari to do so. The model was warmly received by press and enthusiasts alike, and although not produced in large numbers was always gently in demand by 'silver-haired' Ferrari owners before the 456M was eventually replaced in 2004 by the 612 Scaglietti.

This exquisite 456 GTA is finished in Tour De France Blue and Dark Blue leather carpets and dashboard. It was supplied new by Maranello UK and delivered by Ferrari Edinburgh to its first owner on 16th September 1996. Subsequently, in common with most Ferraris, there were periods when it was lightly used and even not used at all, however, it appears to have been well maintained throughout and sensitively recommissioned after periods of storage. Work carried out during recent years, in addition to regular servicing, includes re-building the active electronic suspensions units, a unique feature of the car. The cam belts were most recently replaced in March 2016 and it has covered less than one hundred and fifty miles since. It passed its MoT Test in January 2018.

Service History with invoices included in the history file:

16 September 1996 Supplied by Glenvarigill

10 November 2000 – Major Service Inc Belts - Glanvarigill Ferrari – 3325m

24 July 2003 – Major Service Inc Belts – Westover – 10,135m

23 March 2005 – Major Service Inc Belts – Specialist – 14,222m

14 November 2006 – Minor – Specialist – 19,916m

2007 > 2010 – In storage

28 August 2011 – Minor – Specialist – 25,230m

19 September 2011 – Belts Only – Specialist – 25,257m

2012 > 2013 – In storage

11 July 2014 – Major – Specialist – 25,383m

26 October 2015 - Annual – Specialist – 26,559m

11 March 2016 - Timing Belts – Specialist – 26,635m

It's fitted with its original Ferrari-branded Sony audio with boot-mounted CD multi-changer and is accompanied by a full complement of original handbooks, older MoTs, the V5C, original sales brochures and Press Pack information, both sets of keys, and its complete original tool kit.

For the time being, the 456 remains affordable and this low-mileage example, in this stylish colour combination, with its under-stressed V12, and detailed history, must be worthy of consideration.