For sale: the rare, yellow, ex-Ralph Lauren Ferrari F50 that disappeared for 16 years

This is a very rare Ferrari F50 that, later this year, could become a very expensive, very rare Ferrari F50. Because it was once owned by Mr Ralph Lauren, because it’s an absolute minter, and because it’s one of just two US-spec F50s resplendent in ‘Giallo Modena’ yellow.

Though, nobody has seen its glorious hue for nearly two decades. RM Sotheby’s said this 1995 V12 hypercar was originally ordered new by Mr Lauren, which immediately gives it a special provenance.

Lauren owned it for eight years right up until May 2003 – eight glorious, V12-infused years, no doubt – after which he sold it through Paul Russell & Company bearing just 3,300 miles on the clock. A rare thing: Lauren rarely gets rid of his old classics, hence why his collection is so revered.

But sold it was, first to a dealer in Florida, and then later in 2003, via Ferrari of Washington in Sterling on behalf of the current owners: a husband and wife who “both enjoyed Ferraris”. Indeed, this pair of tifosi even raced their own Challenge car.

The F50 however, was for their private consumption and thus… it sort of went into hiding. “They had bought it for the love of it, not to flaunt, and as both valued privacy, it seldom ventured out into the world,” said RM Sotheby’s. Indeed it was last seen in public back in 2009 at the Cavallino Classic.

Now however, it’s back up for sale at RM Sotheby’s’ upcoming Monterey auction, bearing less than 5,400 miles. The eagle-eyed amongst you will spot that in 22 years, it has done around two thousand miles.

It’s in absolutely pristine condition, was recently serviced, carries a reassuringly heavy file of invoices detailing its care, and had its Ferrari Classiche certification reviewed and renewed last year.

And did we say it’s rare? Of 349 F50s built, only 55 were to US-spec, and of those 55, just two were painted in this special Giallo Modena yellow. Of course, every single one came with that glorious 4.7-litre V12 derived directly from Ferrari’s 1990 F1 engine, mounted directly onto the rear bulkhead of the monocoque. A naturally-aspirated V12, don't forget. Quick one, too.

And potential bidders will likely need to be just as quick - and loaded - because a) RM Sotheby's reckons it'll go for between $6.5m and $7.5m, but mostly b) because an ex-Ralph Lauren Ferrari F50 with 5,400 miles on the clock in yellow is a very rare car indeed.

Photography: RM Sotheby's