If Ferrari received one complaint about the superlative 40th anniversary F40 supercar that debuted in 1987, it was that too many examples were produced. The F40 was originally positioned as a boutique collectible of limited production, but it proved to be so popular that it was eventually manufactured in a quantity of over 1,300 examples. When planning a 50th anniversary model a few years later, Ferrari made certain that just 349 cars were built, establishing a rarity far more becoming of a Maranello hypercar.

Four years of development went into the aptly named F50, and as much as the model is a companion to its predecessor, it is also a study in beautiful contrasts. The F40’s turbocharged V-8 was eschewed in favor of a naturally aspirated V-12, which was a 4.7-liter version of the 1990 F1 engine that also drew from the 333 SP championship sports car’s motor. Thus far, it is also the only V-12 engine with five valves per cylinder that Ferrari has ever mounted in a road going car. Generous use of carbon fiber, particularly in the body tub and shell, ensured optimal power-to-weight ratio for the race-bred model. Its performance was astounding, as expected, with 520 horsepower and 347 foot-pounds of torque thrusting the car to 60 mph from standstill in just 3.6 seconds and producing a top speed of 202 mph.

A further contrast to the F40 was evident in Pininfarina’s gorgeous F50 coachwork, which was a far cry from the wedge styling of the earlier car. Beautiful curves characterized every surface of the new model, from the chin spoiler and wings to the aerodynamically engineered tail wing. The design’s heritage appeal was boosted by a removable hardtop, which gave the model a distinctly different visual character whether in berlinetta or barchetta form, but each was equally ravishing. The F50 is rare, powerful, and extraordinarily beautiful, even by the standards of modern supercars, and it occupies a unique link in the chain of Ferrari’s top-shelf automobiles.

The car offered here, chassis number 104121, was one of 55 U.S.-delivery examples built, and it is, in all likelihood, the finest example presently offered for sale. This F50, which has only 230 actual miles recorded, is completely untouched and as-new in all regards, including its factory paintwork, which is thin enough to see the carbon fiber beneath, 100% original, and still in outstanding condition. Importantly, the digital dashboard is still completely and fully functional.

The owner reports that the car has been fully serviced and almost carefully stored since new, as is evident upon examination of its condition. It starts right up, idles smoothly, and operates easily and pleasurably in all regards. It is accompanied by its full set of factory tools, as well as by an original piece of factory luggage, a garment bag that matches the black and red interior.

For an enthusiast who missed out on purchasing an F50 when they were new, or for the dedicated tifosi who wants that experience again, this is an unrepeatable opportunity.