Ferrari 456M GT

Why it matters

Unveiled at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show, the 456M GT—Modificata—was the extensively updated form of Ferrari's acclaimed four-seat flagship. Pininfarina reshaped the nose and bumpers, removed the bonnet ducts, improved cooling and aerodynamics, and replaced the original deployable rear spoiler with a fixed underbody solution while preserving the 456's graceful fastback proportions and pop-up headlamps. Inside, revised seats, instruments and controls made the Connolly-leather cabin more comfortable and contemporary. The 5,474 cc, 65-degree V12 retained four valves per cylinder and produced 442 hp at 6,250 rpm, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed gated manual transaxle and carrying four occupants to 192 mph. Revised front suspension geometry, larger 550 Maranello-derived front brakes and electronically controlled dampers sharpened its road manners without diminishing its grand-touring character. Just 688 manual 456M GTs were produced before the 612 Scaglietti arrived. As Ferrari's final production road car with pop-up headlamps and one of its last V12 four-seaters offered with an open-gate manual gearbox, it represents the elegant conclusion of a distinctive era.