Ferrari 456 GT
Launched in 1989, the Ferrari 456 project aimed to reincarnate the spirit of the legendary Daytona, adapted to a GT 2 + 2 configuration. Unlike its 400 predecessors, the 456 GT is distinguished by its sporty appearance, low roof and fastback rear end, giving it a berlinetta look.
The official presentation of the Ferrari 456 GT took place during the commemoration of the fortieth anniversary of the Francorchamps stable owned by Jacques Swaters, the famous Belgian Ferrari importer. The ceremony took place in September 1992, at the prestigious Palais du Cinquantenaire in Brussels, where the car was unveiled. Although the Ferrari 456 GT was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show the following year, production didn’t really start until the second half of 1993, at an annual rate of around 200, to be marketed from 1994 onwards.
Combining a powerful V12 engine with Pininfarina’s elegant design, this 2+2 coupé offered an unprecedented combination of performance and comfort, reaching a top speed in excess of 300 km/h. The 456 GT was also distinguished by a sumptuous interior and vast storage space, truly embodying the spirit of the classic Gran Turismo, becoming a timeless piece that continues to charm as a piece of history.
The design, entrusted to Pininfarina and revealed in 1992, focused on elegance and discretion, while retaining subtle sporty elements such as twin tailpipes. Aerodynamics have not been sacrificed, marking a new stylistic language for the brand, abandoning the straight, angular lines of the 1980s in favor of softer, more elegant curves.
The Ferrari 456 GT introduced a number of innovations, including a steel chassis with aluminum bodywork, speed-sensitive variable-assist steering, electronic dampers never before seen on a Ferrari V12, and a 6-speed manual transmission.
The 5.5-liter V12 engine, a slightly “deflated” version of the 550 and 575, produced 442 hp, enabling the 456 GT to reach 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, while remaining smooth and docile from idle to redline thanks to its state-of-the-art engine management system. With the exception of the F40, the 456 was the most powerful road car developed by Ferrari up to that time, and despite its Supercar performance, this relatively unused engine proved very reliable.
A total of 1,548 units of the 456 GT, 403 of the 456 GTA, 688 of the 456M GT and 650 of the 456M GTA were assembled, testifying to the enduring success of this iconic Ferrari model.
One of the very first to roll off the production line in 1994, this model is now just 30 years old and eligible for historic vehicle registration. It is equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox and has covered just 36,000 km. The “Blue Swaters” color is certainly the most beautiful color for a 456, and combined with its black leather interior, it gives it obvious class!
Fresh from a major service, fitted with 4 new Pirelli PZero tires, it’s ready to roll!
Recent work (2023) :
Timing belt with tensioners
Engine drain with filters
Brake fluid
Changing gearbox oil
Changing front brake pads
Changing steering shaft seals
4 new tires