Buying a wrecked car seems like a new way to generate viewers on YouTube, as I’ve noticed a ton of channels lately focused on buying wrecks off of Copart and other salvage auctions for the sake of rebuilding them in front of a live audience. Of course, you never get the full story as to whether it was a boon or a bust, but wrecked exotics like this 1995 Ferrari 456 GT seems like an excellent use case for an upcoming member of the YouTube celebrity class (or anyone that dreams of owning a V12 Ferrari). Find it here on eBay with a $22,500 Buy-It-Now.
The 456 was punted in the rear and then rolled over (an event the seller describes as a “light” roll-over). While the seller offers a somewhat weak assurance that the frame “appears” straight, you’d want to get this on a frame machine before pulling the trigger to see if any straightening is needed. The seller mentions used parts like a replacement trunk lid are available elsewhere on eBay, and they are – for a cool $1,099.
Mileage is somewhat high, at just under 45,000. The interior still appears quite nice and no airbag deployments are noted. The classic Ferrari gated shifter is quickly becoming a thing of the past as even companies like Ferrari have moved to only offering paddle shifters or a DSG-style gearbox, so a 456 GT may be the ticket if you’re looking for a manual car with room for (small) backseat passengers. There is damage to the dash that’s been cut-off in this picture along the top of the center HVAC vents – my guess is it would warrant full dash replacement to be perfect.
The seller does provide a video of the car running and driving, which is impressive considering the extent of the damage. The left front wheel is cracked, so you won’t be driving far, not to mention the lack of windshield or side glass. The Ferrari does still have a clean Texas title, so if you have the means to put it back together and provide a clean bill of health, there may be some money to be made on this wrecked 456 GT. Would you take a chance on it?
LOL at room for back seat passengers.
Basis for a wild kit car build. Twentysome odd years ago I had a Ferrari 330 rebodied as a 250 GT California Spider, the same could be done with this.
Aside from the damage,not one of the better looking cars to come out of Maranello. Agree with Chinga,re-body.
As a body man for 30 years, I think “blank canvass” and would love a shot at doing that car as a custom.
Tavarish and Samcrac are are watching this, no doubt.
Isn’t that one of the Grease Monkey Clowns beating up the Ferrari?
Dennis Colin’s is the seller so it probably is.
Can’t help but think, that the odds and ends needed to make this not look like and drive like a wreck, would make it cost prohibitive. Impressive that it still runs and drives, although running it after a rollover may not be the best idea for a mill of this complexity and sensitivity.
Plexiglas window, new wheel, and drive as is. When bored, part out. Then store the carcass in a barn for 30 years and sell. Those seats would be awesome in my Corolla.
Turning it into an El Camino is the only correct answer…….
Late 1960ish El Camino with fins ! @ Karguy, the “blank canvas” would be the best. Endless possibilities …I won’t get started lol
A convertible El Camino, even better!
Looks like the 550/575M Maranello’s ugly fat cousin….
I think these were one of the nicest looking modern Ferrari’s – and I’m not an exotic guy. Refreshing colour on this one too.. Too bad it ended up looking like this.
Jeep Wrangler rear view mirrors?
What’s up with the side mirrors?!?
My thought here ( and a stretch by far) would be to grab a flood salvage like this one and recycle the body parts. Even with this and the monumental labor investment don’t think breaking even is a possibility. Jeep Wrangler mirrors… WTF.
Way overpriced
This is a $35,000-40,000 retail car with no damage history
AND
likely to cost beyond $15,000 to put it in used car condition
If you have to ask, you can’t afford to correct the hell that this “light rollover” has caused this Ferrari submarine to go through. Get your snorkel and fins out if you plan to chase this dream.
May have come off of Torc 1 Racing in Wylie, TX!!
Last year I traded in my 1997 456 GTA for $35,000 – in perfect running condition, with way less miles. I was lucky ! I was only offered $30,000 elsewhere.
I wouldn’t touch this with a barge-pole. The car is good for parts only.
Just for the record, ANY Ferrari is expensive to service on a regular basis. A standard (correct) tune-up runs $1,000 to $2,400. To repair this car correctly, I estimate appox. $25,000! Also, this type of Ferrari, won’t rise in value much due mainly to it’s year and popularity (also telling anyone about the repairs will kill the price greatly!) Move on and seek out a later year undamaged car. And YES !! I’ve been there, just a word to the wise.
Hmmm…let’s do the math…probably needs cam belts & clutch-$10-12k , obviously body work-$30k(min) plus purchase price- $22k. So for a $60k total investment , you’ll end up with $30k salvaged titled bastard Ferrari. Sounds like a smart buy to me!!
The nicest versions of the 456 were the ‘Venice’ models, handmade by Pininfarina in Italy, for the the Sultan of Brunei. Instead of being big two door coupes, they had their wheelbases lengthened and the bodies altered into four door sedans and four door estate cars. Seven of each were made and a further two shorter wheelbase two seater convertibles. The Brunei Consulate in London had a silver Estate, reg. no. IXO for quite a while as a town runabout.( Though I haven’t seen it for a while now.) Visitors to London would often see it in Knightsbridge, usually near Harrods. At least two of the Estates have come up for sale in the last few years, a dark blue one and a dark green one, there were also two silver ones, a yellow one, a red one, and another dark grey one. The Estates are very striking, quite large cars, perfectly proportioned and IMHO better looking than the car they’re based on. The perfect tow vehicle for your racing Porsche on it’s trailer.The sedans are less successful. More info here…http://www.coachbuild.com/2/index.php/encyclopedia/coachbuilders-models/item/pininfarina-ferrari-456gt-venice-estate , or just google 456 Venice.
@Concinnity – Huge information. I knew none of it. Thank you.
BTW – Back in the 1970’s I was offered a BMW 507 – whose original owner was the Shah of Iran. It was in perfect condition and they were asking $1900. The dealership was having a heck of a time selling it, but it was so beautiful that they kept it on a rotating platform in the showroom.
I really considered buying it, but there were Hemi’s, XK-E’s, and of course Tri-Power Vettes to be had for ridiculously little $. I passed. In retrospect, maybe I should have given it a go.
He also had the same set of versions based on the last of the RWD Bentley Continental Coupes, and pretty much funded the development of AMG’s 7.3 litre development of their 6.0 litre V12, one of which was installed in each of the seven W140 Estates with C140 fronts he had. The Sultanate cut back on funding such extravagances just before the go ahead to make a matching set of Ferrari 550 based sedans and wagons was given. Pininfarina, at the time was kept solvent by the $100 million of spending that came their way.
No-one in the US is as wealthy, eccentric or tasteful enough to do likewise. The family still buys cars, just not as many custom ones, the current collection is between 5000 to 7000.
Here are some of the Ferraris, Enzos here. There are also similar collections of Lamborghinis, Porsches, Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Mercedes Benzes, and American muscle cars. Just google Sultans car collection.
Put a small camper on this too, would be very rare, leave some patina. Fastest motor home around.
sad. These are really very nice cars.