You could own this one‑of‑six Ferrari... for £2.6M

What is it? The Ferrari Sergio. As the name suggests, it was built in tribute to Sergio Pininfarina who died in 2012. It was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013 as a one-off concept – a wild looking machine with vestigial lift-up doors and no windscreen. 

Two years later it was back at the Swiss show – this time with a windscreen, proper doors and other street-legal comforts – as a limited-edition “production” model. The idea was to mark 60 years of collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina. This yellow car, coming up for auction at RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale on 12 May, is the actual Geneva car.

That motor show claim to fame, plus this car having covered just 200km in the past three years, adds to its appeal, but you’d have to agree it’s hardly lacking in the appeal department. And as you would expect from Pininfarina, that’s all about the design.

The elegant purity of line and apparently simple surfacing were acclaimed at its debut and, as the pictures show, it looks more handsome than ever today, especially in its two-tone black and yellow finish (all six cars were different colours). Its unadorned body, bereft of scoops and wings, recalls Pininfarina designs for Ferrari in the 1960s.

For all that it is still a supercar and a very serious one, too. The windscreen and taillights are the only giveaways to the donor vehicle within, the Ferrari 458 Spider. That means the Sergio comes with the 4.5-litre flat-plane crankshaft V8, making this among the last naturally-aspirated mid-engined V8 Ferraris (that 2015 Geneva show was also when the turbo 488 GTB was announced).

Even better news is this yellow peril comes with the motor in 600bhp Speciale trim. Add in a 100kg weight saving over the 458 Spider and it’s clear this is a 200mph convertible with acceleration from 0-62mph in the order of three seconds. 

We hope it gets a chance to prove that. Cars this good are always best being driven rather than locked away in a Swiss bank vault. RM Sotheby’s has a presale estimate on it of €2.5-3 million (about £2.2-2.6m). Since each Sergio reputedly sold in 2015 for £2.5m that may prove to be cautious – though be warned, the new owner is going to get a VAT bill along with their purchase.

Three other Ferraris to tempt you at RM Sotheby's Monaco sale on May 12^th

1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Tour de France

Estimate: €7-9 million (£6.1-7.8m)

The 15th of 17 third-series Tour de France models by Scaglietti, the car was delivered new to the Ferrari works driver Wolfgang Seidel. It was second at the 1958 Grand Prix of Spa-Francorchamps and fourth at the 1958 12 Hours of Reims. It has had just two owners in the past 45 years.

1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II

Estimate: €1.4-1.6 million (£1.2-1.4m)

Perfect for a cruise along the Côte d’Azure, the Pininfarina-designed cabrio epitomises fast but civilised grand touring, 1960s style. This one is the 172nd of 200 made and has been restored in Italy. Its engine and gearbox are original. 

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB

Estimate: €2-2.2 million (£1.7-1.9m)

After the 250 came the 275 with its distinctive Scaglietti body and GTO-like long bonnet, short tail proportions. This fully restored example is a long nose, steel body, triple-carburettor model of which 88 were made. Complete with tools, handbook…and Borrani wire wheels.