Bizarre Ferrari with a rubbish top speed of 15mph set to sell for nearly half a million at auction

A bizarre Ferrari with a measly top speed of just 15mph is set to sell for £380,000 at auction.

This F12 Berlinetta, from 2014, was used as a development prototype for the Italian brand's new F12tdf car. The mundane motor was then modified by the luxury sports car brand, limiting the vehicle's speed.

The actual F12tdf could go 211mph with a 0-60mph of a blistering 2.9 seconds. It was a track-focused variant, which was unveiled in October 2015. The vehicle was named after the Tour de France Automobile race. The previous owner imported the F12 Berlinetta to the USA to work in a showroom before it was purchased in 2022 by the current seller.

Despite the whopping price tag, the car can only be used off public roads. This is due to it being a prototype vehicle, meaning it is unable to be registered for public road use.

The car comes with a battery tender, Zanasi Group inspection documents, and a bill of sale. The dealer who is selling the car is located in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California.

The motor is kitted out with a detuned 6.3-liter V12 engine which is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transaxle. It also has 20-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, carbon-ceramic brakes, a standard F12 Berlinetta hood, and rear quarter glass.

The car has a carbon-fibre interior trim, a console-mounted panel of cut-off switches and the exterior is detailed with white vinyl roundels and Pirelli graphics. The vehicle has done 20,000 miles since being unveiled.

Previously, a rusting, moss-covered Ferrari sold for £110,000 at auction. The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE sparked a bidding frenzy despite having holes in the floor and no front seats.

It had been stored in a leaking barn for nearly 40 years and left to rot. The rare Italian car was spotted by an auctioneer who realised its value. Its owner bought the Ferrari in 1973 for £800 – roughly £7,000 today. He drove it for 10 years before placing it in storage, intending to carry out minor repairs.

Auctioneer Matthew Parkin was tipped off about the Ferrari in West Wales after a pal spotted it in the background of a photo of another car. When Matthew visited, the GTE was in such a bad state a door came off in his hand when he went to open it.

It was missing its gearbox, the carpet had gone and the radio and control column was hanging off, with wires everywhere. The blue body was covered in green vegetation and the 3-litre engine was on the floor outside the vehicle.

It was auctioned by Brightwells in Leominster, Herefordshire. Experts said it could cost £150,000 to restore.