Prototype of 1995 Ferrari F50 to be auctioned worldwide

The "most important road-going F50 in existence" is the 1995 Ferrari F50 prototype that Worldwide Auctioneers will be offering in its January 15 Scottsdale auction.

The F50 is the first production version of the Pininfarina-designed V12-engined supercar and the last Ferrari with the five-digit serial number: 99999, says Worldwide. This exotic lightweight sports car was built with revolutionary design and materials, and only 349 were produced. [Ferrari's stunning new supercar, unveiled by Piero Lardi Ferrari and Sergio Pininfarina in an exclusive preview on the evening of March 6, 1995, before the world-famous Geneva Auto Salon at the Galleria Museum in Geneva, was the first of its kind. The car, the Ferrari F50, was introduced to the public there by [then Ferrari president] Luca di Montezemolo," Worldwide stated in its catalog description.

As a production prototype, the F50 was test driven by Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda, Gerhard Berger, Jean Alesi, and Ferrari's own legendary test driver Dario Benuzzi. This prototype car was used for pre-production development of the final F50 design and assembly process

The engine developed by F1 was a 4.7-liter V12 that produced 520 hp at 8,500 rpm and 347 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. It has a top speed of 202 mph and a zero-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds.

"Some commentators described the F50 as a Ferrari F1 car with a second seat and a sports car body," the catalog states.

After its debut on the auto show circuit, the F50 served as a photo model and test driver for "an army of automotive journalists and the focus of many test sessions." The Ferrari was then completely rebuilt by the factory before falling into the hands of its first private owner, a friend of Enzo Ferrari. The F50 from the private collection now has just over 1,400 miles on the odometer.

This Ferrari includes hardtop with "anvil" case, books and manuals, fitted factory luggage, serial numbered key fob, serial numbered store manual, microfiche parts book, additional documentation files, literature, and original accessories including related ephemera, Worldwide says.

According to the catalog, "This model is the most important F50 available on public roads, with an unparalleled track record and history documented by Marc's expert Marcel Massini.

The Worldwide Auction will be held on January 15 during Arizona Auction Week at a new venue, Sin Meadows in southern Scottsdale, bordering Tempe. For more information, see the auction website.

This article, written by Bob Golfen, originally appeared on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.