“The best things are sometimes worth waiting for” - That’s exactly how Ferrari justified their re-entry to the grand touring market in 1992, with the debut of the 456 GT. Coming more than three years after Maranello had axed the production run of its predecessor, the 412, the unveiling of the 456 headlined Garage Francorchamps’ 40th anniversary celebration in Brussels. Featuring elegant and curvaceous styling from Pininfarina and a potent, newly-developed V-12 powerplant, Ferrari’s new GT platform proved a major departure from the criticisms and performance of the 412. The new 5.5-litre V-12 helped the 1,770 kg berlinetta sprint to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds before topping out at over 300 km/h. Luxuriously appointed, a full leather interior with electronically adjustable front seats, electric windows, air conditioning, and an eight-speaker stereo system complete with CD player were all standard-fit. Upon release, the 456 GT was the world’s fastest grand tourer.

This 456 GT offered here is a European-specification example completed in April of 1995 and delivered new to Ferrari West Europe in Paris, France. Provided in the alluring and rarely equipped shade of English Green (Verde Inglese), this 456 GT is one of just 55 left-hand drive examples to wear this color. The highly presentable Beige interior is complemented by a suite of steel trim and switchgear—most notably the classic and stylized gated selector assembly for this chassis’ desirable six-speed manual transmission. Accompanying documentation provided in the factory maintenance booklet details regular servicing at Ferrari West Europe until 2002, and then regular intervals completed at Ferrari specialists in Sweden and Italy between 2003 and 2015. This distinctive and desirable V-12 grand tourer is now accompanied by its original factory literature, and maintenance booklet.

Should you want more information on the condition of this lot and or discuss the possibility of an in-situ inspection, please contact our office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070 or email Britta Buchmann at bbuchmann@rmsothebys.com