Several years ago, my wife, mother-in-law, and I traveled to California for the Fourth of July weekend. The plan was to stay in a hotel in Carlsbad, then venture into San Diego to see the sights. We ended up liking Carlsbad so much that we spent our entire vacation there, even if it was a little different from what we originally had in mind. Our Pick of the Day is also a little different yet wonderful. You can find this 1999 Ferrari 456M GT listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Wayne, Pennsylvania. It comes with 2006-2025 service invoices, original owner’s manuals, and a copy of the window sticker.
Back in the 1990s, many Ferraris still had an angular, wedge-like shape, such the 512 TR, 348, and F355. The 456 and its successor, the 456M (M as in modificata, or modified), definitely had a family resemblance up front, but they were 2+2s with a front-mounted V-12 and much softer lines and gentle curves.
If you ask me, that major difference is what makes this 456M GT so attractive. It’s not a sports car and it’s not trying look like one, but it can still cover long distances in a short amount of time thanks to its 5.5-liter DOHC V-12, which Ferrari tuned to produce 442 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Plus, as a GT model, it has a six-speed manual with a gated shifter as opposed to the GTA’s four-speed automatic. Sure, the F355 is an undeniable head-turner, but when I dream of having a Ferrari, it’s a 456M.
So what exactly was modificata about the 456M? Compare the car you see here with the ’95 456 GT I wrote about last April and you’ll see subtle updates to the front end, carbon fiber hood, lower rear fascia, and Connolly leather interior, which features a different steering wheel and center stack/console design.
Whoever initially spec’d this car absolutely nailed it. Rosso Corsa looks great on any Ferrari, especially the racier, mid-engine models, but Rosso Barchetta fits this car’s looks perfectly because it’s noticeable yet subtle. The “Daytona-style seats in Cuoio Natural Leather with Bordeaux piping and a matching leather dashboard” are the perfect complement. I’m especially fond of the color-coordinated steering wheel.
What you can’t see is the odometer, which indicates that this 1999 Ferrari 456M GT has been driven only 22,706 miles. If you want to do something a little different than the previous owners of this car and rack up serious mileage in it, contact the dealer for the price, make the purchase, then hit the road.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
